Foldable Hinge Mechanism With Floating Support for Display Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The service life of foldable electronic device displays is shortened due to easy friction or collision with external objects when in a folded state.

Innovation Solution

A hinge mechanism with a floating support component and elastic reset members that allow the display to be protected by moving away from potential collisions, featuring a base, rotating components, connecting components, and elastic reset members that adjust the distance between the floating support and the base to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic device is in a folded state with display on the outside, then the device structure is compact and portable, but the display is prone to friction and collision with external objects

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddisplay friction and collision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional outward-folding design by implementing an inward-folding structure where the display is positioned inside the device body when folded. This reversal of the folding direction protects the display from external contact while maintaining portability, directly resolving the contradiction between compactness and display protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the display is positioned on the outside in folded state, then the device structure is simplified, but the service life of the display is severely shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddisplay service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the folding direction to position the display internally rather than externally, the patent achieves both simplified structure and extended display service life. The inward-folding mechanism naturally protects the display without requiring complex additional protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the floating support component is moved away from the base, then the display is protected from collision, but the structural stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay collision protectionVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic elastic reset members that allow the floating support component to move away from the base during folding operations to protect the display, then automatically return to the original position to maintain structural stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between collision protection and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the hinge mechanism allows movement of the floating support component, then the display can avoid friction, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay frictionVSAvoidhinge mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including rotatable components and elastic reset members that enable the floating support component to move and return automatically. This dynamic design protects the display from friction while maintaining reasonable mechanism complexity through efficient use of elastic energy storage and release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 mechanism prevents display damage by allowing the display to be protected from friction and collision, improving the service life of the display in foldable electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of elastic reset members, the elastic reset members are connected between the floating support component and the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4495443B1Hinge mechanism and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4495443B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4495443B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4495443B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application discloses a hinge mechanism and an electronic device, and belongs to the field of communication devices. The hinge mechanism includes a base, first rotating components, second rotating components, a first connecting component, a second connecting component, a floating support component, and elastic reset members. In a case that the hinge mechanism is in a first state, the first connecting component is on one side of the base, and the second connecting component is on the other side of the base. At least one of the plurality of the second rotating components supports the floating support component, and the elastic reset members are in a stretched or compressed state to squeeze the floating support component and the second rotating components. A distance between an outer wall that is of the base and that faces away from a rotation axis of the first rotating component and the floating support component is a first distance. In a case that the hinge mechanism is in a second state, both the first connecting component and the second connecting component are on a side that is of the base and that faces the rotation axis of the first rotating component, the second rotating components avoid the floating support component, a distance between the outer wall of the base and the floating support component is a second distance, and the second distance is less than the first distance.