Foldable Hinge Structure With Cam-and-Friction Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining portability while providing a wider screen size due to increased thickness and weight caused by multiple housings and hinge structures, compromising user experience.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device with a slim hinge structure incorporating a cam mechanism and friction plates that enhance the sensitivity of opening and closing, allowing for a natural unfolding feeling and maintaining specific angles through frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a foldable display is extended to display a wider screen, then the screen size is increased, but the overall size of the portable electronic device has to be increased, deteriorating portability
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is nested within a dedicated hinge housing that is integrated into the device housing. The hinge housing contains the hinge structure components (first arm member, second arm member, cam member, elastic member, friction plate) within its internal space, allowing the hinge mechanism to be compactly arranged without increasing the overall device volume. This nesting approach enables the foldable display to achieve a wider screen while maintaining a compact portable form factor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple housings and hinge structures are used to support the foldable display, then the screen can be folded, but the housings become thicker and the device becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge housing is merged with the device housing to form an integrated structure. The hinge housing is coupled to at least one of the first housing or second housing, combining the support function of multiple housings into a unified structure. This merging reduces the total number of separate components and eliminates redundant materials, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining foldable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge housing serves multiple functions: it supports the hinge structure, provides structural connection between housings, and houses the cam mechanism and friction plates for angle control. By making the hinge housing multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device weight while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hinge structure is used, then the device can fold, but the thickness increases due to the hinge structure
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is arranged in a specific spatial configuration where the first arm member and second arm member rotate about different axes. The cam member is disposed to engage with these arm members in a three-dimensional arrangement that optimizes space utilization. This dimensional arrangement allows the hinge mechanism to achieve foldable capability while minimizing the thickness of the device in the direction perpendicular to the display surface.
4Ease of operation
If friction plates and cam mechanisms are added to maintain angles, then the sensitivity and angle control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plate acts as an intermediary element between the cam member and the arm members. The cam member engages with the friction plate to provide controlled frictional force that maintains specific angles during folding. This intermediary approach allows for smooth angle control without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms or multiple separate components, thereby improving ease of operation while managing device complexity.
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 provides a slim, portable device with improved sensitivity and frictional forces that maintain desired angles, enhancing user experience and reducing thickness and weight compared to conventional foldable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member 242a disposed between the first shaft and the shaft fixing part, a second elastic member 242b disposed between the second shaft and the shaft fixing part
Implementation Method 2
a first friction plate 251 that is disposed between the first elastic member and the cam member and that rotates depending on rotation of the first shaft, and a second friction plate 252 that is disposed between the second elastic member and the cam member and that rotates depending on rotation of the second shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device and modified embodiments of a hinge structure included therein are disclosed in the disclosure. The foldable electronic device includes a first housing and a second housing on which a display is partially seated and the hinge structure that connects the first and second housings. The hinge structure includes a first shaft and a second shaft that rotate in a folding or unfolding operation of the foldable electronic device, a cam member that supports a cam operation, and friction plates that are mounted on the first and second shafts and that make contact with protruding patterns formed on the cam member. The areas of the friction plates brought into contact with the protruding patterns vary as the first and second shafts rotate.