Foldable Device Hinge Mechanism With Compact Friction Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stability and damping of hinge mechanisms in foldable electronic devices are compromised when space is limited, leading to poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism is designed with a fastening support, transmission assembly, first transmission shafts, clamping assembly, and first elastic portion, which includes a transmission gear group, clamping members, and cam surfaces to enhance damping and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the volume of the hinge mechanism is compressed to improve portability, then the device becomes more portable, but the stability and damping of the hinge mechanism are sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission assembly is nested within the clamping assembly, with the fastening support positioned between the first clamping member and second clamping member. The first transmission shaft passes through the end gear and limiting hole, with the first elastic portion nested between the first clamping member and first transmission shaft. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, achieving compact integration while preserving the damping and stability functions through maintained contact areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to resolve the volume-stability contradiction. The first clamping member and second clamping member clamp the fastening support and transmission assembly in the second direction (vertical dimension), while the first transmission shaft extends in the first direction (horizontal dimension). This multi-directional arrangement maximizes space utilization and maintains functional contact areas within a compact overall volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the volume of the hinge mechanism is compressed to improve portability, then the device becomes more portable, but the damping formed by the hinge mechanism is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping-generating components are nested within each other to maximize space efficiency. The first elastic portion is nested between the first clamping member and first transmission shaft, while the clamping members surround the fastening support and transmission assembly. This nested configuration maintains multiple contact areas for friction-based damping within a minimized volume envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The first elastic portion provides adjustable elastic force that can be tuned to optimize damping characteristics. The elastic force generated by the first elastic portion acts on the first clamping member to provide squeezing force, allowing the damping force to be adjusted through material selection and geometric parameters of the elastic component, maintaining effective damping in a compact design.
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 improves damping force, ensuring a better user experience by maintaining stability and preventing unwanted rotation, even in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
One end of the first elastic portion acts on the first clamping member, and the other end acts on the first transmission shaft, so that the first clamping member and the second clamping member clamp the fastening support and the transmission assembly in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
The transmission assembly includes two first connecting members located on two sides of the fastening support in the first direction and a transmission gear group. Each first connecting member has one end gear, and the transmission gear group is located between two end gears and engaged with the two end gears
Implementation Method 3
The first clamping member and the second clamping member clamp the fastening support and the transmission assembly in the second direction, forming damping through contact and friction
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge mechanism and a foldable electronic device are provided. The hinge mechanism is disposed in a foldable electronic device. When one rotation portion of the foldable electronic device moves, the hinge mechanism drives the other rotation portion to move. The hinge mechanism includes a fastening support, a transmission assembly, two first transmission shafts, a clamping assembly, and a first elastic portion. The fastening support is configured to be fastened to a base of the foldable electronic device, and the fastening support is coupled to the first transmission shaft to limit relative positions of the first transmission shaft and the fastening support. The first transmission shaft is coupled to the clamping assembly and the first elastic portion. The first elastic portion provides an elastic force for the clamping assembly such that friction between the clamping assembly and the transmission assembly generates damping.