Compliant Constant-Stiffness Hinge Mechanism for Slim Foldables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Damping mechanisms in foldable electronic devices, such as foldable phones and tablets, often require large springs to provide sufficient elastic force, leading to increased space occupation and hindering lightweight design.
Innovation Solution
A compliant constant-stiffness mechanism utilizing a sheet-like compliant constant-stiffness body with deformable deformation portions between force application portions, providing elastic force without the need for large springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are used to provide elastic force in damping mechanisms, then damping performance is improved, but the occupied space increases and lightweight design is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring system with a compliant mechanism that utilizes elastic deformation of a flexible body to provide the same damping function. The compliant constant-stiffness body deforms elastically under load to generate restoring force, eliminating the need for separate spring components and reducing overall space occupation while maintaining damping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible compliant constant-stiffness body that utilizes elastic deformation to provide mechanical functionality. This flexible structure replaces rigid springs, enabling compact integration while maintaining the necessary elastic force generation for damping applications.
2Force
If large-sized springs are designed to provide sufficient elastic force, then damping force is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters from rigid spring geometry to compliant mechanism geometry, where the elastic properties are derived from the deformation characteristics of the compliant constant-stiffness body. This parameter transformation enables sufficient elastic force generation with reduced material quantity and lower weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant constant-stiffness body may utilize composite material structures that combine high elastic modulus with low density, enabling the generation of sufficient elastic force while minimizing the weight of the damping mechanism components.
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 compliant constant-stiffness mechanism allows for larger elastic force at a smaller thickness, facilitating a lightweight design by reducing space occupation while maintaining damping performance.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation portion is elastically deformable in the first plane when the first force application portion moves towards or away from the second force application portion
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the technical field of electronic devices, and provide a compliant constant-stiffness mechanism, a hinge assembly, and a terminal device. The compliant constant-stiffness mechanism includes at least one sheet-like compliant constant-stiffness body. The compliant constant-stiffness body includes a first force application portion, a second force application portion spaced apart from the first force application portion, and a deformation portion located between the first force application portion and the second force application portion, and connected to the first force application portion and the second force application portion. A side of the first force application portion facing away from the deformation portion is connected to an external object. A side of the second force application portion facing away from the deformation portion is connected to an external object. The deformation portion, the first force application portion, and the second force application portion are located in a first plane. The deformation portion is elastically deformable in the first plane. Since the compliant constant-stiffness body provided in the embodiment of this application is in a sheet-like structure, compared with a spring, larger elastic force can be provided at the same thickness, thereby facilitating the lightweight design of the applied apparatus.