Double Hinge Module for Foldable Mobile Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile terminals with larger screens face challenges in portability due to the need for a compact hinge mechanism that allows for smooth folding and unfolding without protrusions, while maintaining a flexible display capability.
Innovation Solution
A double hinge module with two shafts and rotary cams is designed to connect two bodies, allowing for a foldable structure like a book, where the hinges are arranged in the bezel areas without overlapping the display unit, using a concave connect-portion and elastic stopper to maintain the folded and unfolded states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge mechanism is designed to allow smooth folding and unfolding motion, then the portability and flexibility of the mobile terminal are improved, but the hinge structure may protrude outside the terminal body increasing its size
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is nested within the terminal body by positioning the rotation shafts and connection portions inside the bezel areas. The first and second rotation shafts are arranged such that their connection portions are disposed inside the terminal body, preventing protrusion while maintaining the folding capability. This nesting approach allows the hinge mechanism to be contained within the terminal's overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by utilizing the bezel areas and arranging rotation shafts at different positions and orientations. The first rotation shaft connects the first body to the hinge module, while the second rotation shaft connects the second body to the hinge module, creating a spatial arrangement that enables folding without increasing the terminal's external dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge structure is made compact to prevent protrusions, then the terminal size is reduced, but the smoothness of folding and unfolding motion may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module incorporates elastic stoppers that provide dynamic control during the folding and unfolding process. The elastic stoppers are positioned to contact the rotation shafts at specific points, providing smooth motion guidance and maintaining operational fluidity despite the compact structure. This dynamic element ensures that the compact hinge mechanism does not sacrifice motion smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic stoppers act as intermediary elements between the rotation shafts and the terminal body, facilitating smooth motion transfer. These stoppers make contact with the rotation shafts during folding and unfolding, providing controlled movement and reducing friction or binding that could occur in a compact design. The intermediary stoppers ensure smooth operation without requiring a larger hinge structure.
3Ease of operation
If the display is allowed to bend during folding, then the portability is improved, but the display may be completely folded causing damage or loss of functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic stoppers are positioned to prevent complete folding of the display by making contact with the rotation shafts before the display reaches a fully folded state. This preliminary anti-action protects the display from excessive bending that could cause damage, while still allowing sufficient folding motion for portability. The stoppers effectively limit the folding range to a safe level.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge module structure is designed to guide the folding motion in advance, ensuring that the display bends along a controlled path. The arrangement of rotation shafts and connection portions pre-determines the folding trajectory, preventing unpredictable or excessive bending of the display. This preliminary structuring of the folding path protects display integrity while enabling portability.
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 enables a compact, portable mobile terminal that can be easily folded and unfolded like a book, preventing size increase and allowing the display to bend without being completely folded, while maintaining a compact design and preventing protrusions.
Implementation Method 1
using a concave connect-portion and elastic stopper to maintain the folded and unfolded states
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
There is disclosed a double hinge module comprising a first rotary cam which is rotatable on a first shaft; a first coupling slot extended from one end of the first rotary cam in a direction which gets farther from the first shaft; a second rotary cam which is rotatable on the second shaft parallel with the first shaft in the reverse direction of the first rotary cam; a second coupling slot extended from one end of the second rotary cam which gets farther from the second shaft; and a link having one end coupled to the first coupling slot and the other end coupled to the second coupling slot, wherein when the first rotary cam and the second rotary cam are rotating, the link is linearly movable in parallel with a central line connecting the first shaft and the second shaft with each other, so that the double hinge module may fold the mobile terminal from 0° to 180°naturally like a book.