Foldable Display Hinge Mechanism for Thin, Stable Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable mobile terminals face challenges in achieving a thin and reliable hinge mechanism that allows for seamless folding and unfolding without compromising the thickness of the device, while ensuring a good operation experience and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A rotating shaft mechanism comprising a primary shaft component, swing arm component, and support component, with connection rods and swing arms that rotate and slide to accommodate the flexible display, maintaining a stable folding and unfolding state, and utilizing a position limiting mechanism to lock positions, thereby reducing the thickness of the folded mechanism to match the stacked housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional hinge structure is used to enable folding, then the device can be folded, but the thickness of the folded mechanism exceeds the thickness of the stacked housings, affecting the folding effect
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: a first hinge component connected to the first housing, a second hinge component connected to the second housing, and a connection component linking the two hinge components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the mechanism to fold into a compact configuration that matches the housing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge components are designed to nest within each other during folding. The connection component connects the first and second hinge components in a nested arrangement, allowing the entire hinge mechanism to compress to a thickness equal to the stacked housings when folded, eliminating protrusion.
2Length of stationary object
If the hinge mechanism is made thinner to improve folding effect, then the folding effect improves, but the reliability and operation experience may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism employs dynamic elements including rotating arms, sliding components, and elastic pieces that enable smooth folding motion while maintaining structural integrity. The elastic piece provides automatic positioning and locking at folded and unfolded states, ensuring reliability despite the thin profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection component acts as an intermediary between the first and second hinge components, transferring forces and motions while enabling the thin folded configuration. This intermediary structure ensures that the thin profile does not compromise the mechanical reliability of the folding mechanism.
3Length of stationary object
If a complex hinge structure is designed to achieve thin folding, then the folding effect improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each hinge component performs multiple functions: the first hinge component provides both structural support and folding motion; the second hinge component similarly supports and enables folding; the connection component both links the housings and facilitates the thin folded configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism merges the functions of support, folding, and positioning into an integrated system. The elastic piece is combined with the rotating arms and sliding components to provide automatic locking, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing overall complexity.
4Device complexity
If the hinge mechanism is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device complexity decreases, but the ability to achieve thin folding is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism uses local quality variations in its components. The rotating arms have specific geometric shapes optimized for compact folding; the sliding components have grooves and protrusions designed for precise engagement; the elastic piece has a specific curvature for providing positioning force. These localized optimizations enable thin folding without requiring overall system 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 enhances the folding effect by maintaining an equal thickness to the stacked housings, improving the bending effect of the flexible display and providing a stable operation experience with a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
Each swing arm is rotatably connected to the primary shaft component, and an axis around which each swing arm rotates and an axis around which a corresponding connection rod rotates are different and are both parallel to a length direction of the primary shaft component
Implementation Method 2
Each swing arm is slidably connected to and can rotate relative to at least one connection rod located on the same side
Implementation Method 3
a position limiting mechanism is configured to perform locking during specific disposing. The position limiting mechanism is configured to limit relative sliding positions of the swing arm and the connection rod
Implementation Method 4
the support plates and the primary shaft component encircle to form folding space that accommodates a flexible display of the mobile terminal
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a rotating shaft mechanism and a mobile terminal. A connection rod and a swing arm are separately rotatably connected to a primary shaft component, and during rotatable connection, an axis around which the swing arm rotates and an axis around which the connection rod rotates are different, so that the swing arm and the connection rod rotate and slide relative to each other. In addition, the swing arm or the connection rod drives a support plate to rotate, so that the primary shaft component and the support plate can encircle to form, during folding, space that accommodates a folded part of a flexible display, thereby improving a bending effect of the flexible display. In addition, based on rotation of the connection rod and sliding and rotation of the swing arm relative to a rotating shaft, a thickness of a foldable mechanism after folding is approximately equal to a thickness of two housings that are stacked together, thereby improving a folding effect of the mobile terminal.