CN113464544B - Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism - Google Patents

Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN113464544B
CN113464544B CN202110839255.7A CN202110839255A CN113464544B CN 113464544 B CN113464544 B CN 113464544B CN 202110839255 A CN202110839255 A CN 202110839255A CN 113464544 B CN113464544 B CN 113464544B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
gear
shaft
torsion shaft
torsion
rotating shaft
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN202110839255.7A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN113464544A (en
Inventor
胡成伟
周贤勇
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xinliangang Electronic Technology Chongqing Co ltd
Original Assignee
Xinliangang Electronic Technology Chongqing Co ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xinliangang Electronic Technology Chongqing Co ltd filed Critical Xinliangang Electronic Technology Chongqing Co ltd
Priority to CN202110839255.7A priority Critical patent/CN113464544B/en
Publication of CN113464544A publication Critical patent/CN113464544A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN113464544B publication Critical patent/CN113464544B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04Pivotal connections
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1633Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
    • G06F1/1675Miscellaneous details related to the relative movement between the different enclosures or enclosure parts
    • G06F1/1681Details related solely to hinges

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Gear Transmission (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, and discloses a simplified cladding type gear double-shaft mechanism which comprises a first rotating part and a second rotating part, wherein a screen end connecting plate is connected onto the first rotating part, a system end connecting plate is connected onto the second rotating part, the first rotating part comprises a first gear and a first mounting column which are coaxially fixed, the second rotating part comprises a second gear and a second mounting column which are coaxially fixed, the first gear and the second gear are meshed with each other, a first torsion shaft is coaxially connected into the first mounting column, a second torsion shaft is coaxially connected into the second mounting column, a first rotating shaft is arranged in the first torsion shaft in a penetrating manner, a second rotating shaft is arranged in the second torsion shaft in a penetrating manner, and the first rotating shaft and the second torsion shaft are tightly matched with each other. The invention can reduce the number of parts used in the whole double-shaft mechanism and has simple structure, thereby leading the assembly to be simpler and easier to operate.

Description

Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism
Technical Field
The invention relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, in particular to a simplified cladding type gear double-shaft mechanism.
Background
In the conventional electronic device, for example, a notebook computer, a display screen end that can be opened and closed relative to a host system end is usually designed on the host system end, so that the display screen end can be opened in an operating state and closed in storage and carrying. Therefore, in the prior art, taking a notebook computer as an example, the dual-axis pivot device is used for connecting the system end and the screen end in multiple options, the dual-axis pivot device in the prior art has many related parts, and the matching and assembling difficulty among various parts is large, the structure is complex, and the difficulty of assembling the dual-axis pivot device to the notebook computer is large.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention aims to provide a simplified cladding type gear double-shaft mechanism so as to simplify the structure of a double-shaft pivot device.
In order to achieve the purpose, the invention adopts the following technical scheme: retrench cladding formula gear biax mechanism, including first rotation portion and second rotation portion, be connected with screen end connecting plate in the first rotation portion, be connected with system end connecting plate in the second rotation portion, first rotation portion includes coaxial fixed first gear and first erection column, the second rotation portion includes coaxial fixed second gear and second erection column, first gear and second gear intermeshing, coaxial coupling has first torsion axle in the first erection column, and coaxial coupling has the second torsion axle in the second erection column, wear to be equipped with first pivot in the first torsion axle, wear to be equipped with the second pivot in the second torsion axle, between first pivot and the first torsion axle and between second torsion axle and the second pivot all closely cooperate.
The principle and the advantages of the scheme are as follows:
1. in practical application, the screen end connecting plate is connected with the screen end of the notebook computer, the system end connecting plate is connected with the system end of the notebook computer, and the first gear and the second gear in the first rotating part and the second rotating part are meshed with each other in the scheme.
2. In the scheme, the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft penetrate through the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft and are mutually and tightly matched, so that interference fit is formed between the first rotating shaft and the first torsion shaft, and interference fit is formed between the second rotating shaft and the second torsion shaft, so that torsion is generated between the first rotating shaft and the first torsion shaft as well as between the second rotating shaft and the second torsion shaft, and a torsion output structure is realized, so that the screen end and the system end of the notebook computer can be smoothly rotated.
3. The overall structure is very retrencied in this scheme, and first gear and second gear are passed respectively to first pivot and second pivot, and first torsion axle of deuterogamying and second torsion axle interfere and do the torsion output structure, and the rotation meshing mechanism of reunion first gear and second gear forms the biax mechanism of essence simplification, and whole required part is few, and the equipment degree of difficulty is low, whole simple structure is frivolous.
Preferably, as an improvement, the same sides of the first gear and the second gear are both provided with openings, and the screen end connecting plate and the system end connecting plate are both positioned at the openings of the first gear and the second gear.
So set up, the opening that sets up on first gear and the second gear in this scheme is convenient for be connected screen end connecting plate and system end connecting plate and first erection column and second erection column.
Preferably, as an improvement, still include the limiting plate, the limiting plate is connected with the terminal surface of first gear and second gear, vertically be provided with two spacing posts on the limiting plate, first pivot and second pivot can insert respectively in two spacing posts.
The setting of limiting plate can play the effect of location to first pivot and second pivot, makes the mounted position of first pivot and second pivot more accurate.
Preferably, as an improvement, spacing hole has all been seted up on the spacing post, the spacing hole both sides just right each other are the plane that is parallel to each other, the other both sides in spacing hole are the circular-arc that mutual symmetry set up, first pivot with the cross sectional shape of second pivot and spacing post complex one end all with the cross sectional shape in spacing hole is the same.
So set up, spacing hole shape on the spacing post in this scheme can with first pivot and second pivot between form the spacing effect of interference, first pivot and second pivot can not produce the rotation by oneself in spacing post to the stability of being connected between first pivot and second pivot and two spacing posts has been ensured.
Preferably, as a modification, the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft each have a C-shape in cross section, each of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft has an elastic deformability, and the diameter of the rotation shaft is larger than the inner diameter of the first torsion shaft, and the diameter of the second rotation shaft is larger than the inner diameter of the second torsion shaft.
According to the scheme, the cross sections of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft are C-shaped, so that the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft can be wrapped, the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft can be clamped more tightly, idle rotation between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft and between the first rotation shaft and the second torsion shaft can be avoided, in addition, the cross sections of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft are C-shaped, so that one sides of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft are provided with openings, one ends of the openings of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft can play clamping and limiting roles on the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, interference between the first rotation shaft and the first torsion shaft and between the second rotation shaft and the second torsion shaft can be enhanced, and the output of torsion force can be assisted.
Preferably, as an improvement, a plurality of grooves are formed on the inner sides of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft, and the grooves are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction.
With the arrangement, the arrangement of the plurality of grooves can play a role in buffering the process that the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are respectively inserted into the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, so that the extrusion force of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft by the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft is reduced, and the situation that the screen end and the system end are particularly hard to rotate due to the fact that the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are respectively and completely clamped by the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft can be avoided.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a compact clad gear double-shaft mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another perspective of an embodiment of the simplified covered gear dual-axis mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state where a screen end of a notebook computer is located at an angle of O in an embodiment of the compact cover gear dual-axis mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a screen end of a notebook computer positioned at 180 degrees according to an embodiment of the compact cover gear dual-axis mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a screen end of a notebook computer positioned at 360 degrees according to an embodiment of the compact cover gear dual-axis mechanism of the present invention.
Detailed Description
The following is further detailed by way of specific embodiments:
reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: the device comprises a first gear 1, a second gear 2, a first mounting column 3, a second mounting column 4, a screen end connecting plate 5, a system end connecting plate 6, a first rotating shaft 7, a second rotating shaft 8, a first torsion shaft 9, a second torsion shaft 10, a limiting plate 11, a limiting column 12 and a limiting hole 13.
The embodiment is basically as shown in the attached figure 1: retrench cladding formula gear biax mechanism, including first rotation portion and second rotation portion, be connected with screen end connecting plate 5 in the first rotation portion, be connected with system end connecting plate 6 in the second rotation portion, screen end connecting plate 5 is used for being connected with notebook computer's screen end, and system end connecting plate 6 is used for being connected with notebook computer's system end.
In this embodiment, the first rotating portion includes a first gear 1 and a first mounting post 3 that are coaxially fixed, the first mounting post 3 is located in the first gear 1 and is integrally formed with the first gear 1, the second rotating portion includes a second gear 2 and a second mounting post 4 that are coaxially fixed, the second mounting post 4 is located in the second gear 2 and is integrally formed with the second gear 2, the first gear 1 and the second gear 2 are engaged with each other, in this embodiment, the same sides of the first gear 1 and the second gear 2 are both provided with openings, so that the cross sections of the first gear 1 and the second gear 2 are both in a C-shaped cladding structure, the screen end connecting plate 5 and the system end connecting plate 6 are both located at openings of the first gear 1 and the second gear 2, that is, the screen end connecting plate 5 and the system end connecting plate 6 are both located at one side of the openings of the first gear 1 and the second gear 2.
In this embodiment, a first torsion shaft 9 is coaxially connected in the first mounting column 3, a second torsion shaft 10 is coaxially connected in the second mounting column 4, in this embodiment, the first torsion shaft 9 and the first mounting column 3 are integrally formed, the second torsion shaft 10 and the second mounting column 4 are integrally formed, in this embodiment, the cross sections of the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10 are both C-shaped, a first rotating shaft 7 penetrates through the first torsion shaft 9, a second rotating shaft 8 penetrates through the second torsion shaft 10, and the first rotating shaft 7 and the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10 and the second rotating shaft 8 are tightly matched, specifically: in the present embodiment, each of the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10 has an elastic deformation property, the diameter of the first rotation shaft 7 is larger than the inner diameter of the first torsion shaft 9, and the diameter of the second rotation shaft 8 is larger than the inner diameter of the second torsion shaft 10, so that when the first rotation shaft 7 penetrates into the first torsion shaft 9 and the second rotation shaft 8 penetrates into the second torsion shaft 10, an interference fit can be formed between the first rotation shaft 7 and the first torsion shaft 9, and between the second rotation shaft 8 and the second torsion shaft 10, so as to form a torsion output structure.
As shown in fig. 2, the simplified cladding type gear double-shaft mechanism further comprises a limiting plate 11, the limiting plate 11 is connected with the end faces of the first gear 1 and the second gear 2, two limiting columns 12 are longitudinally arranged on the limiting plate 11, the two limiting columns 12 are respectively located at the upper portion and the lower portion of the limiting plate 11, the two limiting columns 12 are perpendicular to the end portion of the limiting plate 11, the limiting columns 12 are integrally formed with the limiting plate 11, and the first rotating shaft 7 and the second rotating shaft 8 can be respectively inserted into the two limiting columns 12.
In this embodiment, the limiting holes 13 are formed in the limiting posts 12, the limiting holes 13 are through hole structures, the upper sides and the lower sides, opposite to each other, of the limiting holes 13 are planes parallel to each other, the left sides and the right sides of the limiting holes 13 are circular arcs symmetrically arranged to each other, the shape of the limiting holes 13 is similar to the shape of a waist hole, the cross sectional shapes of the ends, matched with the limiting posts 12, of the first rotating shafts 7 and the second rotating shafts 8 are the same as that of the limiting holes 13, so that the first rotating shafts 7 and the second rotating shafts 8 can be smoothly inserted into the limiting holes 13 of the two limiting posts 12 respectively, the cross sectional shapes of the limiting holes 13, the first rotating shafts 7 and the second rotating shafts 8 in this embodiment can enable the first rotating shafts 7 and the limiting holes 13 and the second rotating shafts 8 and the limiting holes 13 to be limited, relative rotation between the first rotating shafts 7 and the limiting holes 13 and between the second rotating shafts 8 and the limiting holes 13 can be avoided, so that the screen ends and the system ends of the notebook computer can be rotated simultaneously, and the angle of the system ends of the notebook computer can be adjusted more stable.
As shown in fig. 1, in this embodiment, three grooves are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction on the inner sides of the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10, and the grooves are all in a through groove structure and are all in an arc groove structure. The arrangement of the groove can play a role in buffering and releasing pressure on the inserted first rotating shaft 7 and the inserted second rotating shaft 8, so that the service lives of the first rotating shaft 7 and the second rotating shaft 8 are longer.
The specific implementation process is as follows: as shown in fig. 3, when the screen of the notebook computer is at O °, as shown in fig. 4, the screen of the notebook computer is turned to 180 ° with respect to the system, and as shown in fig. 5, the screen of the notebook computer is turned to 360 ° with respect to the system.
In the embodiment, the structure of the whole double-shaft mechanism is simplified, two non-circular first gears 1 and second gears 2 are adopted to cover the first mounting column 3 and the second mounting column 4, the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10 are coaxially arranged in the first mounting column 3 and the second mounting column 4, the first rotating shaft 7 and the second rotating shaft 8 penetrate the first torsion shaft 9 and the second torsion shaft 10 to form interference to output torsion, the first torsion shaft 9, the first mounting column 3 and the first gear 1 are connected into a whole, and the second torsion shaft 10, the second mounting column 4 and the second gear 2 are connected into a whole, so that the size of the whole mechanism can be reduced, fewer parts are used in the whole mechanism, the notebook computer can be lighter and thinner, and the assembling process is simple and easy to operate.
The foregoing is merely an example of the present invention and common general knowledge in the art of designing and/or characterizing particular aspects and/or features is not described in any greater detail herein. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several variations and modifications can be made, which should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention, and these will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicability of the patent. The scope of the claims of the present application shall be determined by the contents of the claims, and the description of the embodiments and the like in the specification shall be used to explain the contents of the claims.

Claims (4)

1. Retrench cladding formula gear biax mechanism, including first rotation portion and second rotation portion, be connected with screen end connecting plate in the first rotation portion, be connected with system end connecting plate, its characterized in that in the second rotation portion: the first rotating part comprises a first gear and a first mounting column which are coaxially fixed, the second rotating part comprises a second gear and a second mounting column which are coaxially fixed, the first gear and the second gear are mutually meshed, a first torsion shaft is coaxially connected in the first mounting column, a second torsion shaft is coaxially connected in the second mounting column, a first rotating shaft is arranged in the first torsion shaft in a penetrating manner, a second rotating shaft is arranged in the second torsion shaft in a penetrating manner, and the first rotating shaft and the first torsion shaft and the second rotating shaft are tightly matched;
the gear rack further comprises a limiting plate, the limiting plate is connected with the end faces of the first gear and the second gear, two limiting columns are longitudinally arranged on the limiting plate, and the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft can be respectively inserted into the two limiting columns; spacing holes are formed in the spacing columns, the two opposite sides of each spacing hole are planes parallel to each other, the other two sides of each spacing hole are circular arcs symmetrically arranged, and the cross section shapes of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft and one end, matched with the spacing columns, of each spacing column are the same as the cross section shape of each spacing hole.
2. The compact clad gear twin-shaft mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the same side of the first gear and the second gear is provided with an opening, and the screen end connecting plate and the system end connecting plate are both positioned at the opening of the first gear and the opening of the second gear.
3. The compact clad gear twin axle mechanism of claim 1 wherein: the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft are both C-shaped in cross section, and have elastic deformability, and the first rotating shaft has a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the first torsion shaft, and the second rotating shaft has a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the second torsion shaft.
4. The compact clad gear twin-shaft mechanism of claim 3, wherein: a plurality of grooves which are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction are formed in the inner sides of the first torsion shaft and the second torsion shaft.
CN202110839255.7A 2021-07-23 2021-07-23 Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism Active CN113464544B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202110839255.7A CN113464544B (en) 2021-07-23 2021-07-23 Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202110839255.7A CN113464544B (en) 2021-07-23 2021-07-23 Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN113464544A CN113464544A (en) 2021-10-01
CN113464544B true CN113464544B (en) 2022-11-18

Family

ID=77882212

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN202110839255.7A Active CN113464544B (en) 2021-07-23 2021-07-23 Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN113464544B (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204878291U (en) * 2015-08-04 2015-12-16 昆山刚毅精密电子科技有限公司 Cladding formula biax is with moving pivot ware
CN209180221U (en) * 2018-10-24 2019-07-30 新连刚电子科技(重庆)有限公司 Two-period form torque pivot device

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2835742B2 (en) * 1989-04-18 1998-12-14 株式会社ニフコ Hinge device and electronic device using this device
JP2007205537A (en) * 2006-02-06 2007-08-16 Shimonishi Giken Kogyo Kk Hinge damper of opening and closing device
JP4885005B2 (en) * 2007-02-20 2012-02-29 スガツネ工業株式会社 Hinge device
CN104033707B (en) * 2013-03-06 2016-03-09 光宝电子(广州)有限公司 Screen-supporting device and torque force adjusting mechanism
CN206036019U (en) * 2016-08-30 2017-03-22 新连刚电子科技(重庆)有限公司 Wearing formula shows screen pivot ware
DE202016007250U1 (en) * 2016-11-25 2017-08-11 Otto Ganter Gmbh & Co. Kg Normteilefabrik Locking disc set
CN207005077U (en) * 2017-04-27 2018-02-13 杭州安费诺飞凤通信部品有限公司 The two-shaft hinge mechanism and mobile terminal applied on mobile terminal
CN107191469B (en) * 2017-07-04 2020-02-18 新连刚电子科技(重庆)有限公司 Multi-section switching pivot device
CN207195434U (en) * 2017-09-18 2018-04-06 兆旺科技(上海)有限公司 Gear synchronously moving mechanism
CN208040904U (en) * 2018-02-07 2018-11-02 深圳市富世达通讯有限公司 Twin axle project planning
CN209180223U (en) * 2018-10-24 2019-07-30 新连刚电子科技(重庆)有限公司 Double-shaft type pivot device
TWI697629B (en) * 2019-06-14 2020-07-01 兆利科技工業股份有限公司 A hidden type split hinge

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204878291U (en) * 2015-08-04 2015-12-16 昆山刚毅精密电子科技有限公司 Cladding formula biax is with moving pivot ware
CN209180221U (en) * 2018-10-24 2019-07-30 新连刚电子科技(重庆)有限公司 Two-period form torque pivot device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN113464544A (en) 2021-10-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP4219963A1 (en) Rotating device, housing, and electronic device
CN109578427B (en) Double-shaft hinge assembly and electronic device
EP3218782B1 (en) Covered radius hinge
US11459809B1 (en) Hinge
US20160090763A1 (en) Multi-joint turning axle structure
WO2018196275A1 (en) Biaxial hinge mechanism used on mobile terminal and mobile terminal
US20220256721A1 (en) Connecting structure and electronic device having the same
JP2009270262A (en) Hinge device
CN113464544B (en) Simple coated gear double-shaft mechanism
TWI755988B (en) Z-axis hinge device and electronic machine using the same
CN111720427B (en) Double-screen pivot device
CN217519058U (en) Double-shaft rotating structure and electronic equipment
CN211259343U (en) Biaxial hinge and electronic equipment
CN211951174U (en) Multi-section switching double-shaft structure
CN205089792U (en) Synchronous damping pivot of four gear drive type 360 degree biaxs
CN212564048U (en) Inward-bending type inward-folding rotating mechanism
CN101098602A (en) Display screen rotation mechanism
TWM544752U (en) Wrap-type sync-motion bi-axial hinge
WO2024037140A1 (en) Hinge device, folding housing and electronic apparatus
CN212084064U (en) Embedded computer motherboard mounting structure
CN111935942A (en) Intelligent equipment capable of rotating at multiple angles
CN206592426U (en) Twin shaft is with the dynamic stable structure-improved of pivot device shaft parallel degree
CN110147143A (en) Shaft connector and electronic equipment with the shaft
CN217842351U (en) Double-shaft synchronous rotation connecting mechanism applied to portable electronic equipment
CN113048138B (en) Shielding structure of rotary shaft chain group

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PB01 Publication
PB01 Publication
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant