Foldable Hinge Elastic Structure for Reduced Fitting Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges in foldable electronic devices have large fitting gaps between rotating members, which affect the smoothness and stability of the hinge during usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastic structure at the connections between the support structure and rotating mechanisms, as well as between adjacent rotating members, to reduce fitting gaps and improve smoothness and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid connection structures are used between rotating members, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but large fitting gaps occur affecting smoothness and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the connection structure from rigid to elastic by introducing elastic components (elastic pieces, elastic belts, or elastic springs). This parameter change allows the connection to accommodate dimensional variations and reduce fitting gaps between rotating members, thereby improving hinge smoothness and stability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elastic pieces, elastic belts, or elastic springs as intermediary elements between the rotating members and support structure. These intermediaries absorb dimensional discrepancies and reduce fitting gaps, acting as mediators that improve connection quality while maintaining relatively simple overall structure
2Reliability
If elastic structure is added to reduce fitting gaps, then smoothness and stability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the connection structure by changing its physical parameters - introducing elasticity through elastic pieces, belts, or springs. This allows the connection to dynamically adapt to dimensional variations, reducing fitting gaps and improving hinge performance while keeping the overall structural complexity manageable through selective application of elastic elements
3Object-generated harmful factors
If tight fitting between rotating members is achieved, then abnormal rotation noise is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid fixed-gap to elastic variable-gap, allowing the elastic components to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This reduces abnormal rotation noise by ensuring consistent contact between rotating members without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic pieces, belts, or springs act as intermediaries that absorb dimensional variations caused by manufacturing tolerances. These intermediaries maintain consistent contact between rotating members, reducing abnormal noise while relaxing the required manufacturing precision standards
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 elastic structure enhances the smoothness and stability of the hinge by reducing fitting gaps and minimizing abnormal rotation noise when switching between folded and unfolded positions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one elastic structure is configured to reduce a fitting gap at a connection between the support structure and the rotating mechanism and/or a fitting gap at a connection between adjacent rotating members within the rotating mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a hinge and a foldable electronic device, which relate to the field of terminal technology and are used to reduce the fitting gap at the connection between adjacent components in the hinge. The hinge includes a support structure, at least two rotating mechanisms and at least one elastic structure. Two of the at least two rotating mechanisms are rotatably connected to two opposite sides of the support structure. The at least one elastic structure is configured to reduce a fitting gap at a connection between the support structure and the rotating mechanism and/or a fitting gap at a connection between adj acent rotating members within the rotating mechanism