Foldable Hinge Damping Assembly for Smooth Rotation in Compact Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with foldable structures face issues of poor damping feel during unfolding or folding due to insufficient damping force, which affects user experience and hinders miniaturization efforts.
Innovation Solution
A hinge apparatus with a swing arm assembly that includes a transmission shaft, swing arm, and damping component, utilizing a guide slidable member, friction damping member, and elastic members to generate synchronized rotation and sliding, thereby providing sufficient damping force and maintaining a smooth unfolding/folding experience while allowing for miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the damping component structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide function and damping function into a single integrated damping component. The guide slidable member guides the friction damping member along the transmission shaft while both work together to provide damping force, eliminating the need for separate guide and damping components.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping component serves multiple functions simultaneously: the guide slidable member provides both guiding and damping assistance, while the friction damping member provides both damping force and rotational guidance. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining sufficient damping force.
2Volume of moving object
If the pushing member and guide slidable member sizes are reduced, then the hinge apparatus achieves miniaturization, but the damping force magnitude may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the friction coefficient parameters of the friction damping member and adjusts the elastic force parameters of the first elastic member to maintain adequate damping force magnitude even with reduced component sizes. By carefully selecting material properties and geometric parameters, the damping force is preserved despite miniaturization.
3Force
If a larger damping component is used, then the damping force is sufficient, but the hinge apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction damping member is nested within the guide slidable member, with the friction damping member positioned inside the guide slidable member's hollow structure. This nested arrangement allows both components to occupy the same spatial envelope, providing sufficient damping force without increasing the overall hinge apparatus size.
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 apparatus ensures a good damping feel and uniform rotation speed, enhancing user satisfaction while facilitating a compact design by maintaining damping force without increasing the size of components.
Implementation Method 1
The first elastic member is configured to apply force that is directed toward the guide slidable member to the friction damping member
Implementation Method 2
The friction damping member is in contact with the guide slidable member... corresponding damping force may be generated between the pushing member of the swing arm and the guide slidable member and between the friction damping member and the guide slidable member due to relative rotation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a hinge apparatus and an electronic device. The hinge apparatus includes a shaft cover and a swing arm assembly. The swing arm assembly includes a transmission shaft rotatably connected to the shaft cover, a swing arm connected to the transmission shaft, and a damping component. The swing arm includes a pushing member. The damping component includes a guide slidable member, a friction damping member, and a first elastic member. The pushing member abuts against the guide slidable member. Both the guide slidable member and the friction damping member are slideably connected to the transmission shaft in an axial direction of the transmission shaft. The friction damping member is in contact with the guide slidable member. The first elastic member is disposed, in the axial direction of the transmission shaft, on a side of the friction damping member facing away from the guide slidable member.