Rotatable Auxiliary Display Layout for Higher Laptop Screen Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laptop computers face a design tension between compactness and display screen size, as users value both portability and the ability to comfortably view large amounts of information.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary display system is added to the backplane of a laptop computer, comprising a mount and a display portion that can rotate about a hinge axis, allowing for multiple orientations and configurations to enhance information density without significantly increasing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display screen size is increased to provide more information, then the information display capacity is improved, but the device thickness and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a single-plane display to a multi-planar display configuration. The auxiliary display is positioned in a second dimension relative to the primary display, enabling information to be distributed across multiple surfaces rather than expanding the area of a single screen. This resolves the contradiction by providing increased information capacity without increasing the thickness of individual display components.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent display units (primary display and auxiliary display) that can be positioned at different orientations. Instead of using one large thick screen, the information is divided and presented across multiple smaller screens, allowing the system to maintain thin profile while delivering enhanced information display capacity through spatial distribution.
2Area of stationary object
If a second display is added to increase information density, then the information display capacity is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary display is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It can operate in multiple modes: as a secondary display for the computing device, as a standalone display device, or in various orientation configurations (parallel, antiparallel, angled). This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple functions, thereby increasing information display capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary display incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities through hinge mechanisms that enable rotation between multiple orientations. This dynamic flexibility allows the display to adapt to different user needs and usage scenarios, providing enhanced information display capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through a single reconfigurable component rather than multiple fixed displays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary display is made rotatable to enable multiple orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism implements dynamics by enabling the auxiliary display to rotate between multiple discrete orientations (parallel, antiparallel, and angled positions). This dynamic capability provides high adaptability for different usage scenarios while maintaining relatively simple mechanics compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms. The rotation functionality is achieved through straightforward hinge joints that allow movement between key positions without requiring complex actuators or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism incorporates counterweight elements to balance the auxiliary display during rotation, reducing the effort required to reposition it. This counterbalancing approach simplifies the overall hinge mechanism complexity by compensating for the weight and moment of inertia of the display, thereby improving adaptability for different orientations while keeping the mechanical system manageable and user-friendly.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the disclosure, an auxiliary display system is provided comprising a mount, one or more coupling elements coupled to the mount and configured to be coupled to a computing device configured to rotate about a first rotation axis, and a display portion including a communications interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the computing device, a display screen configured to display output information, and at least one hinge enabling the display portion to be capable of rotating about a second rotation axis, the second rotation axis being parallel to the first rotation axis.