Torsion Hinge Flat Section Torque Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing notebook-type information handling systems face challenges in maintaining the display closed in vertical orientation due to the combination of chassis spring back and inadequate torque-release function in small diameter hinges.
Innovation Solution
A torque-release axial torsion hinge with a twin coil design and flat sections on the shaft and coil, which reduces hinge torque below 25 degrees and eliminates the need for tight tolerance control, magnets, or reverse cam designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small diameter hinge is used, then the device size is reduced, but the torque-release function becomes inadequate and chassis spring back increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into distinct functional segments: a coil portion providing torque and a shaft portion with a flat section. This segmentation allows the small diameter hinge to achieve torque-release functionality through the specific geometric relationship between the coil's interior edge and the shaft's flat section, resolving the contradiction between compact size and adequate torque-release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat section on the shaft and the corresponding flat section on the coil's interior edge create a localized interaction zone. This local geometric feature enables torque-release at specific hinge angles (0-5 degrees) without requiring the entire hinge structure to be large, thus maintaining small overall diameter while providing reliable torque-release function.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerance control is implemented, then hinge precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge design incorporates asymmetric geometric features - a flat section on the shaft and a corresponding flat section on the coil's interior edge. This asymmetric design creates a natural mechanical alignment that is less sensitive to tolerance variations, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional precision for torque-release.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric relationship between the flat section of the shaft and the flat section of the coil's interior edge creates a self-aligning mechanism. The components naturally orient themselves during assembly and operation, providing functional precision without requiring stringent external tolerance control, thus simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If magnets or reverse cam designs are used, then lid retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate retention mechanisms (magnets or reverse cams) by integrating torque-release functionality directly into the hinge's geometric design. The flat section interaction between shaft and coil provides inherent lid retention through torque reduction at low angles, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque-release function and lid retention function are merged into a single geometric feature - the interaction between the flat section of the shaft and the flat section of the coil's interior edge. This integration eliminates the need for separate retention mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable lid retention in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
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 reduces or eliminates chassis spring back when the system is closed, allowing for reliable lid retention in both horizontal and vertical orientations without the need for additional retention mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a torque-release axial torsion hinge with a twin coil design
Implementation Method 2
A torque-release axial torsion hinge with a twin coil design and flat sections on the shaft and coil
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a portable information handling system. The hinge includes a cylindrical shaft, the cylindrical shaft including an axially extending substantially flat section and a coil portion, the coil portion having a largely cylindrical interior edge, the largely cylindrical interior edge including a substantially flat section, the substantially flat section of the coil portion and the substantially flat section of the cylindrical shaft being aligned when a relative rotation of the hinge is between zero and five degrees.