Dual-Axle Hinge Structure With Sliding Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-axis hinge structures in foldable electronic devices are bulky due to the need for four gears to enable synchronous rotation of two bodies in opposite directions, which does not align with the design trend of thinner and lighter devices.
Innovation Solution
A double-axis hinge structure that includes a fixing member, first and second shafts, guiding portions, and a slide guiding member with helical surfaces, allowing the shafts to synchronously rotate in opposite directions without the need for four gears by sliding relative to each other through matching guiding surfaces, thereby reducing volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If four gears are used to achieve synchronous rotation of two bodies in opposite directions, then the rotation synchronization is achieved, but the volume of the hinge structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear mechanism from the hinge structure, extracting only the essential function of synchronous rotation. Instead of using four gears, the invention uses a slide guiding member with guiding portions that directly transmit rotational motion between the first and second shafts, eliminating unnecessary mechanical components while maintaining the synchronization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gear-based mechanical transmission system with a slide guiding mechanism. The guiding portions on the slide guiding member create a direct mechanical coupling between the shafts through sliding contact, substituting the complex gear interaction with a simpler guiding surface interaction that achieves the same synchronous rotation effect with reduced volume.
2Reliability
If four gears are used to enable synchronous rotation, then the rotation function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple gears into a single slide guiding member. The guiding portions on this member simultaneously control the rotational synchronization of both shafts, combining what would have been separate gear functions into one integrated component, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining the synchronous rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide guiding member serves multiple functions: it guides the sliding motion, transmits rotational motion, and ensures synchronous rotation of both shafts. This multi-functional component replaces the specialized gear mechanism, reducing the number of parts needed and simplifying the overall hinge structure while achieving the same rotational control.
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 proposed hinge structure achieves a smaller volume, reducing the overall size of foldable electronic devices while maintaining the capability for synchronous rotation, thus aligning with the design trend of thinner and lighter devices.
Implementation Method 1
the first guiding portion, the second guiding portion, the third guiding portion, and the fourth guiding portion are respectively a helical guiding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A double-axis hinge structure including a fixing member, a first shaft, a first guiding portion, a second shaft, a second guiding portion, and a slide guiding member is provided. The first shaft and the second shaft pass through the fixing member and the slide guiding member. The first guiding portion and the second guiding portion are respectively integrally formed on the first shaft and the second shaft. The slide guiding member has a third guiding portion and a fourth guiding portion. When one or both of the first shaft and the second shaft rotates relative to the fixing member, the guidance between the first guiding portion and the third guiding portion and/or the second guiding portion and the fourth guiding portion drives the slide guiding member to slide, so that the first shaft and the second shaft synchronously rotate in opposite directions by the same amount of rotation.