Foldable Hinge Assembly With Nested Cam-Spring Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices with flexible displays become thinner, the elastic force of cylindrical cam structures and springs used in hinge assemblies decreases, leading to torque generation and interference between components, which hinders smooth folding or unfolding operations.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design featuring two fixed cams, two first rail structures, and two hinge structures with rotating cams and elastic members, allowing for sufficient force generation while maintaining a thin profile, and including pin members and recesses/protrusions to define pivot axes, ensuring smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the electronic device is decreased, then the device becomes thinner and more compact, but the elastic force of the spring and cylindrical cam structure decreases, causing torque generation and component interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring and cylindrical cam structure into an integrated unit where the spring is positioned inside the cylindrical cam structure. This merging allows the elastic force to be directly transmitted through the cam structure without requiring separate mounting components, thereby maintaining sufficient elastic force while reducing overall thickness and eliminating component interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is nested inside the cylindrical cam structure, with the spring positioned within the hollow interior of the cam structure. This nesting arrangement allows the spring to generate elastic force while being contained within the cam structure, reducing the overall thickness requirement and preventing interference between the spring and other components.
2Force
If the spring is mounted on the exterior of the hinge assembly to compensate for decreased elastic force, then the elastic force is increased, but torque is generated and the cylindrical cam structure tilts toward the gap between components
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spring mounting with the cylindrical cam structure into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates the separate exterior mounting arrangement that caused torque generation. The spring is positioned inside the cam structure and connected through integrated features, ensuring that the elastic force is transmitted axially without creating rotational torque that would tilt the cam structure.
3Length of moving object
If the diameter of the cylindrical cam structure and spring is decreased to reduce thickness, then the device becomes thinner, but the elastic force and structural stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of the spring inside the cylindrical cam structure allows for efficient use of space, maintaining structural stability within a reduced thickness profile. The spring is positioned concentrically within the cam structure, ensuring that the elastic force is transmitted through the central axis, which maximizes structural stability despite the reduced overall diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design of the spring and cylindrical cam structure as a unified component ensures that the load paths are optimized and structural stability is maintained. The merging of these components allows for reinforced connection points and optimized material distribution, maintaining reliability while reducing the overall thickness of the hinge assembly.
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 hinge assembly provides sufficient force and smooth operation without increasing thickness, reducing component count, and minimizing interference, thus enhancing the functionality of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the second hinge member in a direction in which the rotating cam presses the respective fixed cam of the two fixed cams
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display including a first area, a second area, and a folding area that is between the first area and the second area, a first housing supporting the first area, a second housing supporting the second area, and a hinge assembly foldably connecting the first housing and the second housing to be foldable with respect to each other between a folded state in which the first area and the second area face each other, and unfolded state in which the first area and the second area do not face each other, where the hinge assembly includes a hinge bracket including two fixed cams and two first rail structures, the hinge bracket defining two hinge axes and two hinge structures each rotatably connected to a respective one of the two first rail structures.