Spring-Assisted Sliding Hinge for Low-Force Cover Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding hinges in portable devices require significant user force to fully open the cover, which can lead to damage or the cover bumping into the base, especially when the cover is larger.
Innovation Solution
A sliding hinge design featuring a main bracket, mounting panel, and coil spring, where the coil spring's distal end is attached to the mounting panel and its proximal end to the base, allowing the cover to be fully opened without external force by the spring's resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional sliding hinge is used to allow the cover to slide and pivot, then the device structure is simple, but excessive user force is required to fully open the cover and the hinge may be damaged when insufficient force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring assembly acts as a counterweight mechanism that provides opposing force to balance the cover's weight. The spring's elastic force compensates for the gravitational force on the cover, reducing the net force the user must apply to open the cover while preventing the cover from slamming shut or damaging the hinge when force is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate spring assembly provides beforehand cushioning by storing elastic potential energy during the sliding motion and releasing it to gently guide the cover to its fully open position. This cushioning effect prevents sudden impacts and damage to the hinge mechanism while ensuring complete opening without requiring excessive user force.
2Area of moving object
If the cover is large in size, then the device provides better display area, but more force is required to open the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring assembly is designed to counterbalance the increased weight of larger covers. By positioning the spring assembly to leverage its elastic force against the cover's gravitational force, the system reduces the net force required by the user to open the cover, making large covers as easy to operate as smaller ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate spring assembly's physical parameters (such as thickness, material properties, and mounting position) are optimized to match the specific weight and dimensions of the cover. This parameter adjustment allows the spring to provide appropriate counterbalancing force for different cover sizes, ensuring that larger covers do not require disproportionately more opening force.
3Force
If the cover is not fully opened due to insufficient force, then the device can be opened with less force, but the cover bumps into the base or the hinge is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring assembly provides beforehand cushioning by continuously exerting elastic force throughout the cover's motion. This cushioning effect ensures that even when the user applies insufficient force, the spring's opposing force prevents the cover from overshooting or bumping into the base, while still guiding it to the fully open position without damaging the hinge.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate spring assembly provides mechanical feedback through its elastic resistance that varies with the cover's position. As the cover approaches the fully open position, the spring's force characteristics change to provide precise control, giving the user tactile feedback that guides proper opening without requiring excessive force and preventing harmful impacts.
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
Ensures the cover is fully opened and can be easily pivoted, reducing the risk of damage to the hinge and allowing smooth operation without user force, enhancing usability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a plate spring assembly (42). The plate spring assembly has a hub (422), a plate spring (423) and a tether (421). The plate spring assembly forces the cover to be fully opened
Implementation Method 2
The plate spring assembly forces the cover to be fully opened. Therefore, the cover slides to be fully opened without external forces
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding hinge for a portable device has a main bracket, a mounting panel and a coil spring. The mounting panel is slid relative to the main bracket. A distal end of the coil spring is attached securely to the mounting panel. The mounting panel is attached securely to a cover of the portable device. A proximal end of the coil spring is attached securely to a base of the portable device. When the cover is slid to open, the coil spring forces the cover to be fully opened. Therefore, the cover slides to be fully opened without external