Foldable Hinge Cam Structure for Assembly Gap Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices experience assembly deviations in the hinge mechanism, leading to a deteriorated operational feeling due to gaps and tolerances in the slide bracket connections between housing components.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a first and second arm module, each having cam structures, and elastic members to press these arms apart, coupled with a slide bracket featuring cam portions that ensure close contact between cam structures, reducing assembly deviations and improving operational feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slide bracket is connected to the first arm and second arm through fastening, then the hinge device can link the folding operations of the first housing and second housing, but assembly deviation (tolerance or gap) occurs at the fastening portions, deteriorating the operational feeling
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary component between the slide bracket and the arms. This elastic member fills the gap caused by assembly deviation and provides continuous contact, thereby eliminating the detrimental effects of tolerance while maintaining the linking function between first housing and second housing
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes its physical state (deformation) in response to the folding operations. By utilizing the elastic deformation parameter, the system compensates for assembly deviation dynamically, maintaining close contact between components throughout the folding range without requiring high manufacturing precision
2Ease of operation
If the slide bracket and arms are cam-coupled to link rotations, then the housing components rotate by the same angle, but gaps at the coupling portions increase assembly deviation and reduce operational smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as a mediator between the cam structures and the slide bracket. It compensates for gaps in the cam coupling by deforming elastically, ensuring continuous contact and smooth transmission of rotational motion without the negative effects of manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides dynamic compensation for assembly deviation. As the folding operation progresses, the elastic member deforms and recovers, maintaining optimal contact conditions throughout the motion range, thereby ensuring smooth and synchronized rotation despite static gaps in the cam coupling
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 proposed structure reduces assembly deviations and enhances the operational reliability and feel of foldable electronic devices by ensuring synchronized rotation of housing components.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member located between the first arm and the second arm and configured to press the first arm and the second arm in opposite directions
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge device that foldably connect the first housing and the second housing to each other. The hinge device may include a first arm module including a first arm including a first cam structure and a second arm including a second cam structure, and configured to rotate about a first rotation axis, a second arm module including a third arm including a third cam structure and a fourth arm including a fourth cam structure, and configured to rotate about a second rotation axis, a first elastic member located between the first arm and the second arm and configured to press the first arm and the second arm in opposite directions, a second elastic member located between the third arm and the fourth arm and configured to press the third arm and the fourth arm in opposite directions, and a slide bracket including a first cam portion facing the first cam structure, a second cam portion facing the second cam structure, a third cam portion facing the third cam structure, and a fourth cam portion facing the fourth cam structure, and configured to move in response to the first arm module and the second arm module.