Foldable Hinge Structure With Center Bars for Reduced Rotation Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in securing efficient placement space for surrounding structures due to the rotation radius of wing plates, leading to potential malfunctions and rigidity issues during folding operations.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a hinge device with a pair of center bars between wing plates, allowing them to rotate at different angles, reducing the rotation radius and enhancing rigidity without increasing device volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge device is installed between the cover and the main body of an electronic device, then the cover can be opened and closed relative to the main body, but the hinge device occupies additional internal space and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device merges the rotation function and support function into a single integrated structure. The rotation member is directly coupled to the support member, eliminating the need for separate hinge components. This combining approach provides the necessary cover opening/closing functionality while minimizing the addition of separate parts and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves multiple functions: it supports the rotation member, guides the rotation motion, and provides structural connection between the cover and main body. By designing the support member to perform multiple functions simultaneously, the hinge device achieves versatile cover operation without requiring additional specialized components for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rotation member has a large contact area with the support member, then rotation stability is improved, but the moment of inertia increases making rotation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation member features a localized contact portion with increased contact area specifically at the rotation interface with the support member. This localized quality enhancement provides rotation stability where needed without increasing the overall mass or moment of inertia of the entire rotation member. The contact portion is strategically positioned and dimensioned to maximize stability while minimizing rotational resistance.
3Strength
If the support member has a larger cross-sectional area, then bending resistance is improved, but the available installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support member utilizes a hollow cylindrical cross-section instead of a solid section. This dimensional change allows the member to achieve high bending resistance through optimized wall thickness and circular geometry while reducing the overall cross-sectional area occupied. The hollow structure provides efficient strength-to-area ratio, fitting within limited installation space while maintaining necessary bending resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is constructed from a composite structure combining the hollow cylindrical geometry with optimized material distribution in the walls. This composite approach maximizes bending resistance per unit area by concentrating material where it provides the most structural benefit (in the walls rather than the center), enabling high strength within constrained installation space.
Data Source
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Figure 1C
AI summary
According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing, at least one hinge device that connects the first housing and the second housing from the first state to the second state foldably, the first wing plate coupled to the hinge device, the second wing plate coupled to the hinge device, the first center bar rotatably disposed with respect to the first wing plate, the second center bar rotatably disposed with respect to the second wing plate, and a flexible display disposed to be supported by the first and second housing, the first and second wing plates, and the first and second center bars in the first state, wherein the first center bar and the second center bar are operated to correspond to the first wing plate and the second wing plate respectively up to the third state which is between the first state and the second state, and are operated to have a different rotation angle from the first wing plate and the second wing plate respectively from the third state to the second state.