Self-Spacing Hinge Assembly Prevents Display Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices with hinge assemblies face challenges in protecting displays from damage during rotation, as existing solutions do not effectively manage spacing between device portions, leading to potential damage from contact forces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-spacing hinge assemblies with timing elements, such as gears, and cam mechanisms that synchronize rotation between first and second device portions, ensuring equal rotation around each hinge axis and adjusting spacing to prevent contact damage during non-parallel orientations while allowing closer alignment at parallel orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing hinge assemblies are used to rotate device portions, then rotation between portions is enabled, but displays may be damaged from contact forces during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second device portions. This spacer maintains a controlled gap distance during rotation, preventing direct contact between the portions and eliminating harmful contact forces that could damage displays while still enabling full rotation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed with built-in mechanisms (cams, followers, springs) that create preliminary counteracting forces to prevent harmful contact. The cam-follower-spring mechanism generates forces that push the device portions apart before contact can occur, neutralizing potential damage in advance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spacing is maintained to prevent damage, then display protection is improved, but alignment at parallel orientations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly uses dynamic cam profiles with varying geometry along their rotation path. The cam geometry changes orientation and leverage throughout the rotation, automatically adjusting the spacing between device portions - maintaining larger gaps at non-parallel orientations for protection while reducing gaps at parallel orientations for alignment
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cam profile are designed with distinct geometric properties to provide different spacing characteristics at different rotation angles. The cam structure creates locally optimized spacing - larger spacing where protection is needed and smaller spacing where alignment is desired
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cam mechanisms are used to adjust spacing, then contact damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the cam-follower-spring mechanism. The same components that control spacing also provide rotation synchronization through timing elements, maintain force balance, and enable controlled movement. This integration reduces the need for separate protective mechanisms, offsetting the added complexity with functional consolidation
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 effectively prevents damage to displays by maintaining optimal spacing during rotation, enhancing the durability and usability of computing devices by ensuring displays are protected from contact forces at non-parallel orientations while allowing for a seamless combined display at parallel orientations.
Implementation Method 1
The first hinge pin includes a first cam in line with the first hinge axis, a first cam follower fixed to the first portion
Implementation Method 2
a first biasing element that biases the first portion toward the first hinge axis
Implementation Method 3
synchronize rotation between first and second device portions, ensuring equal rotation around each hinge axis
Data Source
AI summary
The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. The example can also include a pair of self-spacing hinge assemblies rotatably securing hinge ends of the first and second portions and camming the first and second hinge ends apart from one another at non-parallel orientations of the first and second portions sufficient to prevent contact of the first and second hinge ends at the non-parallel orientations while allowing the first and second hinge ends to contact one another at other orientations.