Rotation Axis Design for Digital Devices Using Indented Washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal rotation axes for digital devices are complex, large, and costly, limiting their flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A simplified rotation axis design comprising a sleeve, an elastic body, an indented washer, and a movable support, with concave indents and protrusions for tactile feedback, allowing for adjustable torque and rotation angles, and a compact, cost-effective structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional metal rotation axis is used, then the rotation function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation axis is divided into four functional components: sleeve, elastic body, indented washer, and movable support. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex rotation mechanism to be broken down into simple, manageable parts that are easier to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single compact structure. The sleeve provides both bearing and positioning functions, the elastic body provides both spring force and damping, the indented washer provides both friction control and tactile feedback, and the movable support provides both rotation guidance and limiting. This merging reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the structure.
2Reliability
If a conventional metal rotation axis is used, then the rotation function is achieved, but the size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The components are nested within each other in a compact arrangement. The movable support rotates within the sleeve, the indented washer is positioned between the elastic body and movable support, and all components share common axial and radial spaces. This nesting minimizes the overall volume of the rotation axis assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body acts as a flexible element that provides the necessary spring force and damping without requiring a large rigid structure. The thin-walled design of the components allows for compact dimensions while maintaining sufficient strength and stiffness for the rotation function.
3Reliability
If a conventional metal rotation axis is used, then the rotation function is achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation axis components are designed to be inexpensive and easily replaceable. The simple structure of each component (sleeve, elastic body, indented washer, movable support) allows for low-cost manufacturing using common materials and standard processes, making the entire assembly more cost-effective than conventional metal rotation axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for easy adjustment of parameters such as friction coefficient (through indent depth and material selection), spring force (through elastic body geometry), and rotation angle limits (through stop positions). These parameter changes can be achieved through simple design modifications rather than requiring expensive custom manufacturing, reducing overall cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a rotation axis with a simple structure, small size, low cost, and high reliability, enabling flexible rotation angles and tactile feedback, suitable for digital devices like USB devices and data cards.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body, an indented washer and a movable support are positioned sequentially around the cylinder with the lip adjacent to the elastic body along the axial direction of the cylinder beginning with the lip
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to communications technologies and discloses a rotation axis, a digital device and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device. The rotation axis includes a sleeve, an elastic body, an indented washer, and a movable support. The sleeve includes a lip and a cylinder. The elastic body, the indented washer, and the movable support are configured sequentially around the cylinder with the lip adjacent to the elastic body along the axial direction of the cylinder beginning with the lip. A number of concave indents are configured on one end-surface of the indented washer and distributed on a circle. The end-surface of the indented washer where the concave indents are configured contacts one end-surface of the movable support. A number of protrusions are configured on the end-surface of the movable support to mate the concave indents. In the invention, a rotation axis is constituted by a few parts including a sleeve, an elastic body, an indented washer, and a movable part. Therefore, the rotation axis is characterized by simple structure, small size, low cost, and good reliability.