360-Degree Rotating Cover Hinge With Interlocking Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld electronic devices with hinge structures face structural interference issues, preventing the cover from rotating 360° relative to the main body and lacking a fixed relative position between the casings, which is undesirable for user input and device functionality.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with protruding teeth on pivot portions and axle rods, along with a lever, allows the cover to rotate 360° without interference and maintains a deterministic relative position, ensuring smooth operation and secure positioning between the casings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pivot hinge structure is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cover cannot rotate 360° due to structural interference
Solution Approach 1:
The single pivot hinge is segmented into two independent pivots: a first pivot for vertical plane rotation and a second pivot for horizontal plane rotation. This segmentation allows the cover to rotate 360° without structural interference while maintaining relative positioning, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure transitions from a single-axis rotation to two-plane rotation by adding a second pivot that enables horizontal plane rotation. This dimensional expansion allows the cover to achieve 360° rotation capability while the first pivot maintains the basic hinge function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a two-axis articulated hinge structure is used, then the cover can rotate to rest on the bottom surface, but the relative positioning between casings is not fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding teeth on the pivot portions provide a feedback mechanism that engages with corresponding teeth on the hinge structure. This engagement provides deterministic relative positioning between the cover and main body at all times, including during 360° rotation, ensuring reliability while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two-axis articulated hinge structure is used, then structural interference is eliminated, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire hinge structure complex, the invention applies local quality by adding protruding teeth only at specific locations on the pivot portions. This localized feature provides the necessary positioning feedback without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire hinge assembly, reducing manufacturing cost while achieving the desired rotation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld electronic device (300) mainly comprises a cover (310), a main body (320), a monitor (328) mounted on the main body, a keyboard (318) mounted on the cover and a hinge structure (330) to which pivot portions (312), (322) of the cover and main body are hinged. The pivot portions have teeth (314), (324) on circumferential peripheries thereof. The teeth mesh with each other. The cover can rotate for 360 degrees relative to the main body thereby moving from a first position to a second position, wherein at the first position, the cover abuts against a top surface (326) of the main body, and at the second position, the cover abuts against a bottom surface of the main body. The trajectory of the cover during its rotation relative to the main body follows a predetermined path.