Foldable Hinge Chute Structure for Faster Screen Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current foldable screen hinges are cumbersome to assemble, leading to low production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design with a sliding member featuring a chute with a gap at one end, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement of guide members during assembly and disassembly, eliminating the need for guide holes in the middle frame connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional hinge assembly methods are used with multiple guide holes and complex alignment structures, then the hinge can achieve stable assembly, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chute is segmented into multiple sections with different functions: a first section for guide member insertion, a second section with an isolating portion for positioning, and a third section for engagement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The isolating portion is pre-positioned within the chute at a predetermined location to automatically guide and position the guide member during assembly. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures and multiple guide holes, directly improving assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If guide members are easily engaged and disengaged through the gap in the chute, then assembly and disassembly efficiency improves, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is nested within the chute structure, with the isolating portion providing internal positioning support. This nested arrangement allows easy engagement through the gap while maintaining structural stability through the contained, supported configuration of the guide member within the chute

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolating portion acts as an intermediary element between the chute and the guide member. It provides positioning and support functions that ensure structural stability while allowing the gap to remain open for easy engagement and disengagement operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4124930B1Hinge and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4124930B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4124930B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124930B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a hinge and an electronic device. The hinge includes a hinge body (10) and a bendable assembly (20). The bendable assembly is in movable connection with one of opposite sides of the hinge body. The bendable assembly includes a first swing arm (23), a sliding member (24) and a guide member (25). The first swing arm is in movable connection with the hinge body. A side wall of the sliding member is provided with a chute (241), and an end, close to the hinge body, of the chute is provided with a gap (242). The guide member is connected to the first swing arm and is configured to be engaged with or exited from the chute through the gap.