Recessed Hinge Design for Portable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable hand-held electronic devices with exposed hinges are prone to damage when dropped, as the hinge area is under stress and forms corners that are vulnerable to cracks, making the device difficult to hold and increasing the likelihood of damage upon impact.
Innovation Solution
A recessed hinge design where the hinge is positioned internally within the device, with caps covering the lateral ends to protect it from direct contact and allow for conventional injection molding practices, reducing stress and enhancing usability by creating a smooth surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an exposed hinge is used to connect housing sections, then the hinge allows the device to open and close, but the hinge makes the device difficult to hold and is vulnerable to damage when dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is extracted from the exposed position and recessed into the housing structure. The hinge is positioned within recesses formed in the first and second housing sections, removing it from the vulnerable outer lateral corners where it would otherwise be exposed to impact during drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge is nested within the housing structure by positioning it inside recesses. The hinge sections are received within the housing members, creating a nested configuration where the hinge is protected by the housing material surrounding it, eliminating exposed corners.
2Strength
If the hinge is positioned at outer lateral ends for structural connection, then the hinge provides strong connection, but the hinge creates exposed corners that are prone to cracks when dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is extracted from the exposed outer lateral position and recessed into the housing. This removes the harmful exposed corners while maintaining the hinge's connection function through the recessed positioning that preserves structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is modified with localized recesses at specific positions to accommodate the hinge. These recesses are formed in the housing members at positions that allow the hinge to be recessed while maintaining connection strength between housing sections.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge is recessed within the housing sections, then the device has a smooth surface that is easier to hold, but the hinge requires additional caps to cover the lateral ends
Solution Approach 1:
The caps are integrated with the hinge assembly, forming a combined structure where the caps cover the lateral ends of the hinge sections. This merging of components achieves the smooth exterior surface while managing the additional elements through integration rather than separate attachments.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a first housing section having a first one-piece housing member; a second housing section having a second one-piece housing member; and a hinge rotatably connecting the first and second housing sections to each other. The hinge includes the first housing member forming a first hinge section at a first end of the first housing section which is pivotably connected to a second hinge section formed by the second housing member at a second end of the second housing member. The first and second hinge sections form opposite outer lateral ends of the hinge. The first and second hinge sections are spaced from outer lateral sides of the first and second housing sections. An axis of rotation of the hinge extends generally between the outer lateral sides.