Compound Gear Hinge Structure for Slimmer Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in reducing thickness due to the gear structure required for folding and unfolding, which also poses a risk of damage to the display from external pressure.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a compound gear design that reduces the device's thickness and provides a specific space between the display and gear structure to mitigate impact damage, incorporating a first and second compound gear with different gear portion radii to optimize gear tooth count and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gear structure is implemented in the hinge structure to share external pressure, then the reliability is improved, but the thickness of the foldable electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compound gear structure places one gear inside another concentric arrangement, with a first gear and a second gear sharing the same center point. The first gear has a first radius and the second gear has a second radius smaller than the first radius, allowing nested configuration that reduces the overall radial space required while maintaining the gear function for sharing external pressure during folding and unfolding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-gear design to a compound gear system operating in multiple radial dimensions. By arranging gears of different radii concentrically, the system utilizes radial dimensionality to achieve compactness, allowing the hinge structure to maintain gear functionality while reducing the device thickness in the Z-direction.
2Length of stationary object
If the gear structure is positioned closer to the display to reduce device thickness, then the thickness is reduced, but the display becomes vulnerable to damage from external pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The compound gear structure implements different local qualities by having gears of different radii positioned at different distances from the center. The first gear with larger radius provides structural support farther from the display, while the second gear with smaller radius operates closer to the display, creating a graduated protection scheme that maintains device slimness while preserving display safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested compound gear structure provides beforehand cushioning by creating a distributed mechanical support system. The multiple gears at different radii create progressive resistance to external pressure before it can reach the display, acting as a pre-positioned protective mechanism that absorbs and distributes impact forces during folding operations.
3Length of stationary object
If a compound gear structure with different radii is used to reduce device thickness, then the thickness is reduced, but the gear structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gear functions into a single compound gear assembly where the first gear and second gear share the same center point and rotate together. This combining of concentric gears into one integrated structure achieves thickness reduction while limiting complexity growth, as the nested configuration allows compact packaging of multiple gear functions in a unified mechanical assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a hinge structure that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first arm part, a second arm part, a first rotation part, a second rotation part, a first main gear, a second main gear, and first and second compound gears disposed between the main gears. The first compound gear may include a first gear portion geared with the first main gear, and of which a distance from a center point to a gear tooth end is a first radius, and a second gear portion geared with the second compound gear, and of which a distance from a center point to a gear tooth end is a second radius that is smaller than the first radius. The second compound gear may have a structure corresponding to that of the first compound gear. An electronic device including the hinge structure is also disclosed.