Foldable Hinge Force-Diverting Structure for Compact Free Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in implementing a free stop and detent function with reduced size, as the increased stress from folding and unfolding operations can damage the hinge components, such as friction elements and cams.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design featuring a hinge with rotation guides, a force transmission member, and a hinge actuator that converts parallel forces into perpendicular forces, utilizing a force diverting part with inclined sliders to apply pressure on a curved rotation surface, thereby implementing a free stop and detent function while minimizing size and risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sizes of the friction element and the cam are reduced to minimize device size, then the compactness of the foldable electronic device is improved, but the stress applied to these components during folding and unfolding operations increases, leading to potential hinge damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation guide is designed with a curved surface that corresponds to the rotation trajectory of the hinge leaves. This curvature allows the force transmission member to roll or slide along the curved path, distributing stress more evenly during folding and unfolding operations, thereby reducing peak stresses on the friction element and cam while maintaining compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
A force transmission member is introduced as an intermediary component between the hinge actuator and the rotation guide. This member includes a pressing surface that contacts the curved surface of the rotation guide, enabling efficient force transmission while reducing direct stress on the friction element and cam. The force transmission member acts as a mediator that protects the critical components from excessive stress
2Ease of operation
If a force transmission member with pressing surface is pressed against the curved surface of the rotation guide, then the free stop and detent function is achieved, but the complexity of the hinge structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission member is integrated with the hinge actuator and rotation guide components, merging multiple functions into a unified structure. The pressing surface of the force transmission member works in conjunction with the curved surface of the rotation guide to achieve both the free stop and detent functions, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall hinge structure
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surface of the rotation guide is designed to work with the pressing surface of the force transmission member, creating a cam-like mechanism that provides free stop and detent functions. The curvature of the rotation guide surface enables the hinge to pause at specific angles during folding and unfolding, achieving the desired functionality through geometric design rather than complex mechanical components
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 transmits frictional and detent torque to the rotation guide, enabling a free stop and detent function in a compact form, enhancing user convenience and reducing the risk of hinge damage during folding and unfolding operations.
Implementation Method 1
a force diverting part configured to convert a force having a directional component parallel to the pressing surface to a force having a directional component perpendicular to the pressing surface
Implementation Method 2
a hinge actuator configured to apply a force to the force diverting part in a direction having a directional component parallel to the pressing surface
Implementation Method 3
A free stop and/or a detent function of a foldable electronic device may be implemented by a friction element and/or a cam structure included in a hinge
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a foldable electronic device including a hinge. A foldable electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a foldable enclosure which includes multiple sub-enclosures and is folded and unfolded, a hinge configured to rotatably connect the multiple sub-enclosures around at least one rotation axis, wherein the hinge may include multiple hinge leaves respectively coupled to ends of the multiple sub-enclosures and configured to rotate during folding and unfolding operations of the foldable enclosure, a rotation guide which is formed on each of the hinge leaves and includes a rotation surface having a curved-surface of a shape corresponding to a rotation trajectory of the hinge leaves, a force transmission member having a pressing surface pressed against the rotation surface of the rotation guide, a force diverting part configured to change the direction of a force applied in a direction having a directional component parallel to the pressing surface to a direction having a directional component perpendicular to the pressing surface, so as to press the force transmission member against the curved-surface of the rotation guide, and a hinge actuator configured to apply a force to the force diverting part in a direction having a directional component parallel to the pressing surface.