Sliding Hinge Cover for 360-Degree Computing Device Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing device hinges, such as the door-hinge style, struggle to achieve a full 360-degree range of motion while maintaining a continuous visual impression and protecting internal components, often resulting in variable gaps that are unsightly and can expose internal parts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a computing device hinge with dual pivot links and sliding covers that translate along hinge guides, allowing for a 360-degree range of motion while concealing variable gaps between components, ensuring a continuous visual appearance and protecting internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional door-hinge style hinges are used, then the hinge structure is simple, but the range of motion is limited and gaps between components are visible
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple segments: a first link connected to the first component, a second link connected to the second component, and a sliding cover that moves between them. This segmentation enables the hinge to achieve a full 360-degree range of motion by allowing each segment to rotate and translate independently, while the sliding cover conceals the gaps between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge incorporates dynamic elements including a sliding cover that translates along a hinge guide and a spring mechanism that provides restoring force. The sliding cover moves from a retracted position to an extended position based on the hinge's rotation angle, creating a dynamic appearance that maintains visual continuity while achieving full rotational freedom.
2Reliability
If conventional hinges are used, then manufacturing is easier, but gaps between components are unsightly and vulnerable to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding cover acts as an intermediary element between the first and second links. It moves along the hinge guide to conceal the gaps between the links and the device chassis, preventing contamination while maintaining a clean visual appearance. The sliding cover serves as a mediator that bridges the functional requirement for rotation with the aesthetic requirement for continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge achieves full 360-degree motion, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining continuous visual appearance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding cover's position is dynamically adjusted based on the hinge's rotation angle. As the hinge rotates through its 360-degree range, the sliding cover translates along the hinge guide to maintain optimal positioning, ensuring that gaps remain concealed while preserving visual continuity throughout the entire motion cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding cover replicates the appearance of the device chassis or surrounding structure, creating a visual copy that blends with the overall device aesthetic. This copying approach helps mask the mechanical elements and maintains a seamless appearance even as the hinge rotates through its full range of motion.
Data Source
AI summary
Hinged computing devices often connect two components via one or more hinges, using either a door-hinge style or other conventional hinge style. Presenting a continuous visual impression of the computing device to the user, with any gaps covered, provides protection to internal components and suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user. Using conventional hinges, achieving a 360-degree range of motion is difficult, and often requires a pair of hinges connected by a spine to accommodate the respective thicknesses of the two hinged components in all orientations. However, using a pair of conventional hinges connected by a spine to achieve a 360-degree range of motion can yield a variable gap between the spine and the hinged components. The presently disclosed technology is directed to mechanically deterministic sliding covers that conceal these variable gaps, while still maintaining a 360-degree range of motion of the computing device.