Foldable Display Hinge Cam Structure for Compact Detent Torque
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable display devices require a mechanical structure that is both compact and robust to facilitate smooth folding and unfolding, but current solutions lack sufficient torque to maintain predetermined angles and provide a stable detent function.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with parallel shafts, rotary cams, sliding cams, and elastic members that compress or stretch to increase torque, allowing for smooth operation and maintaining selected angles through a detent function, utilizing a combination of gears and elastic members to enhance the folding and unfolding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a mechanical structure is made compact, then the size of the hinge is reduced, but the torque required to maintain predetermined angles and provide detent function is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs dynamic elements including rotary cams that rotate with the arms and sliding cams that move linearly along the shafts. The elastic members dynamically compress and expand to provide variable torque throughout the folding range, enabling a compact design to deliver sufficient torque through motion-based force multiplication rather than static structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a linear dimension of motion through the sliding cams moving along the shafts, converting rotational motion of the arms into linear displacement that compresses the elastic members. This dimensional transformation allows the compact hinge to generate torque through a two-stage mechanical advantage: rotational cam action combined with linear elastic member compression.
2Force
If a mechanical structure is made robust, then the torque is increased, but the size of the hinge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge utilizes parameter changes in the elastic members, which compress and expand to provide variable force throughout the folding operation. The elastic members transform small displacements into high force through their non-linear force-displacement characteristics, enabling robust torque generation without proportionally increasing hinge size. The system exploits the changing stiffness parameter of elastic materials under compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding cams act as intermediaries between the rotary cam mechanism and the elastic members. They convert the rotational motion and force from the rotary cams into linear motion that efficiently compresses the elastic members, providing a mechanical advantage that multiplies the torque output without requiring larger structural components.
3Device complexity
If the hinge structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain predetermined angles and provide detent function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs a self-service mechanism where the interaction between the rotary cams, sliding cams, and elastic members automatically generates the detent function at predetermined angles. The system uses its own operational motion to compress the elastic members at specific points in the folding cycle, creating natural stopping positions without requiring external control systems or complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into a unified mechanism: the rotary cams provide both motion control and force transmission, the sliding cams convert rotational to linear motion, and the elastic members simultaneously store energy and create detent positions. This functional integration achieves reliable angle maintenance and detent behavior while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through component multi-functionality.
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 proposed hinge mechanism enables smooth folding and unfolding of foldable display devices, providing increased torque to maintain predetermined angles and offering a detent function, ensuring stability between unfolded and folded states without increasing the size of the hinge.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed between the first sliding part and the second sliding part. The first sliding part and the second sliding part may linearly move towards to or away from each other in response to rotations of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm. The elastic member may be compressed or stretched in response to linear movements of the first sliding part and the second sliding part.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge includes a first shaft and a second shaft that are parallel to each other, first and third arms rotatably coupled to the first shaft and including first and third rotary cams, second and fourth arms rotatably coupled to the second shaft and including second and fourth rotary cams, a first sliding part coupled to the first and second shafts to be movable along the first and second shafts and including a first sliding cam facing the first rotary cam and a second sliding cam facing the second rotary cam, a second sliding part coupled to the first and second shafts to be movable along the first and second shafts and including a third sliding cam facing the third rotary cam and a fourth sliding cam facing the fourth rotary cam, and an elastic member disposed between the first sliding part and the second sliding part.