Foldable Hinge Linkage for Unfolded Drop Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with outward-folding screens experience poor drop reliability in the unfolded state due to external impacts causing a gap reduction at the joint between housings, leading to bulging of the flexible display and potential malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A rotating apparatus with a first connecting mechanism that includes a first connecting component rotatively connected to a part of the foldable device, enhancing the limiting strength on that part, and a second connecting component slidably connected to another part, ensuring precise movement along a set trajectory, thereby reducing displacement and bulging of the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the two housings are rotatively connected through a simple rotating apparatus, then the foldable electronic device can switch between unfolded and folded states, but the drop reliability in the unfolded state is poor due to housing displacement and flexible display bulging
Solution Approach 1:
The first connecting component is divided into a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, which are respectively connected to the first part and the second part. This segmentation allows independent optimization of connection strengths at different locations, enabling the structure to provide strong limiting in the unfolded state while maintaining folding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where the first connecting piece can rotate relative to the second connecting piece. This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt to both folded and unfolded states, providing appropriate limiting strength in each state while maintaining movement freedom where needed.
2Reliability
If the first connecting component is rotatively connected to the first part, then the limiting strength on the first part is enhanced, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second connecting piece acts as an intermediary between the first connecting piece and the second connecting component. It provides a rotation connection that mediates the interaction between the two parts, allowing strong limiting while maintaining structural simplicity through a well-defined rotational degree of freedom.
3Reliability
If the second connecting component is slidably connected to the second part, then the movement along set trajectory is ensured, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second connecting component includes an arc-shaped arm that slides within an arc-shaped groove. This curved geometry guides the movement trajectory through geometric constraints rather than requiring high-precision linear sliding, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while ensuring accurate movement paths.
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 solution effectively enhances the drop reliability of the foldable device by maintaining the housings in position, preventing bulging of the flexible display, and ensuring stable operation in the unfolded state.
Implementation Method 1
A first end of the first connecting component is configured to rotatively connect to a first part of a foldable electronic device at which the rotating apparatus is located
Implementation Method 2
a second end of the second connecting component is configured to slidably connect to a second part of the foldable electronic device
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a rotating apparatus and a foldable electronic device. The rotating apparatus includes a first connecting mechanism (100a). The first connecting mechanism includes a first connecting part (101). The first connecting part includes a first connecting component (110) and a second connecting component (120). A first end (111) of the first connecting component is configured to rotatively connect to a first part (11) of the foldable electronic device at which the rotating apparatus is located. A second end (112) of the first connecting component is rotatively connected to a first end (121) of the second connecting component, and a second end (122) of the second connecting component is configured to slidably connect to a second part (12) of the foldable electronic device. A weight of the second part is less than a weight of the first part. The first connecting component of the rotating apparatus is rotatively connected to the first part, so that limiting exerted by the rotating apparatus on the first part can be further enhanced, thereby effectively improving drop reliability of the foldable electronic device in an unfolded state.