Multi-Pivot Timing Chain Flexures for Rotation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing mechanisms that provide consistent and reliable resistance to rotation while allowing components to maintain a given angular orientation in devices like laptop computing devices is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pivot timing chain with timing links featuring flexures in tension, which compress meshing gear teeth in adjacent timing chain layers, creating resistance to rotation, and utilizing pins to couple these links for rotation and tension generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexures are placed in tension to compress meshing gear teeth, then resistance to rotation is created, but device complexity increases due to multi-layer timing chain structure
Solution Approach 1:
The timing chain is divided into multiple layers (first timing chain layer and second timing chain layer) with separate timing links in each layer. This segmentation allows the flexures in one layer to compress gear teeth in the same layer, creating rotation resistance without requiring complex cross-layer mechanical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second timing chains are positioned adjacent to each other in a nested configuration, where the timing links of one chain interact with the gear teeth of the same chain layer. This nesting approach simplifies the overall structure by containing the flexure-compression mechanism within each layer rather than requiring intricate multi-layer interconnections.
2Ease of operation
If pins are used to rotatably couple timing links between layers, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pins are designed to automatically align and engage with the timing links during assembly. The rotatable coupling mechanism allows the pins to self-adjust to the correct position, reducing the need for high-precision pre-alignment and manual adjustment during manufacturing and assembly processes.
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 multi-pivot timing chain provides an inexpensive, mechanically simple, and reliable mechanism for creating desired resistance to rotation, allowing for easy tuning and modification of resistance and friction along the curvature.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexure and a second flexure opposite the first flexure, the second flexure connecting a second side of the first gear portion to a second side of the second gear portion. The first flexure and the second flexure of at least one of the first timing links are in tension and are configured to cause a pair of meshing gear teeth in the second timing chain layer to be in compression
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of pins rotatably couple the first timing links in the first timing chain layer to the second timing links in the second timing chain layer
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-pivot timing chain comprises first timing links in a first timing chain layer coupled together via meshing gear teeth, and second timing links in a second timing chain layer coupled together via meshing gear teeth. Pins rotatably couple the first timing links to the second timing links. Each of the timing links comprises opposing first and second gear portions comprising gear teeth, and first and second flexures connecting the two gear portions. The flexures are in tension and configured to cause a pair of meshing gear teeth in an adjacent timing chain layer to be in compression, thereby creating resistance to rotation of the timing links that comprise the meshing gear teeth.