Synchronized Single Axle Hinge with Breakaway Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information handling systems with dual displays face challenges in rotating housing portions over objects like keyboards without damaging the hinge assembly or displays, due to minimal size and precise gear mechanisms that fail under excessive force.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly that adjusts the distance between housing portions using dual axle or single axle configurations with scissor assemblies, mesh gears, helical gears, and breakaway brackets to provide clearance and synchronize rotation, preventing damage from objects between the displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a dual axle hinge assembly with minimal size and precise gear mechanisms is used, then the system footprint is reduced and manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when excessive force is applied during rotation over objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge assembly sizeVSAvoidhinge assembly reliability under excessive force

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly incorporates a breakaway bracket that can dynamically change its structural state from connected to disconnected when subjected to excessive force. This allows the hinge to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time, sacrificing a non-critical component (the bracket) to protect the critical gear mechanisms from damage during forced rotation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the breakaway bracket, the gear mechanisms, and the axle assembly. This segmentation allows the breakaway bracket to be designed as a sacrificial element that can fail independently, thereby protecting the more complex and harder-to-replace gear mechanisms from damage while maintaining the overall compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the distance between housing portions is minimized, then the system footprint is reduced, but the ability to rotate over objects without damage is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem footprintVSAvoiddamage risk from objects between displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway bracket provides dynamic clearance adjustment. When an object is detected between the housing portions during rotation, the bracket can break away, automatically increasing the distance between housing portions and preventing damage. This dynamic response eliminates the need for permanent increased spacing while maintaining protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The breakaway bracket acts as a pre-designed protective mechanism that is in place before any harmful force is applied. It provides a predetermined failure mode that cushions the gear mechanisms from excessive forces that would occur during forced rotation over objects, thereby preventing damage before it can reach the critical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a breakaway bracket is implemented to prevent damage, then the reliability under excessive force is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against excessive forceVSAvoidhinge assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway bracket is designed as a simple, low-cost, sacrificial component that can fail without compromising the overall system. By using a disposable element (the bracket) rather than protecting the entire complex mechanism, the design reduces overall complexity while maintaining reliability. The bracket's simplicity makes it easier to manufacture and assemble compared to more complex protective mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10852776B1Synchronized single axle hinge

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system housing rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a hinge assembly having a minor axis that moves relative to a main axis to define a spacing between the housing portions. A main bracket couples to the first housing portion and rotationally couples through first and second telescoping members with first and second secondary brackets disposed at opposing sides of the main bracket and coupled to the second housing portion. The telescoping members synchronize through a linkage of the main bracket to adjust the distance between the minor and main axes for 360 degrees of rotation and adapting to an object located between the housing portions when the housing portions close.