Foldable Hinge Rotation Mechanism With Integral Sliding Groove

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disassembled structure of the sliding groove bracket in foldable electronic devices results in increased fit clearance and shaking of the primary swing arm during sliding, affecting user experience due to assembly tolerances and soldering offsets.

Innovation Solution

A rotation mechanism with an integral sliding groove bracket and an arc-shaped slideway accommodating a protruding portion on the primary swing arm, fitted with a stop portion on the shaft cover or sliding groove bracket, ensuring stable engagement and reducing the number of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating mechanism is provided within a foldable electronic device, then the device can be folded or unfolded, but the rotating mechanism occupies internal space and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotating mechanism with the display assembly by making the display assembly itself the rotating component. The display assembly includes a first substrate and second substrate that rotate relative to each other, eliminating the need for a separate rotating mechanism and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining folding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the rotating mechanism. By making the display assembly universal for both display and rotation functions, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating mechanism is provided within a foldable electronic device, then the device can be folded or unfolded, but internal space is occupied by the mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidinternal space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rotating function with the display assembly, eliminating the need for a separate rotating mechanism that would occupy internal space. The display assembly itself performs the rotation, freeing up internal space for other components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the rotating function from a separate mechanism and integrates it into the display assembly. This extraction eliminates the need for dedicated rotating mechanism components, thereby reducing the volume occupied by stationary objects within the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the display assembly is integrated with the rotating mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the display assembly must withstand repeated bending and folding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism complexityVSAvoiddisplay durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a hinge structure with specific mechanical properties at the folding location, while the rest of the display assembly maintains its standard structure. The hinge is designed with particular attention to stress distribution and flexibility to protect the display from damage during repeated folding, thus maintaining reliability without increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge structure is designed beforehand to cushion and distribute the stress of repeated folding and bending. By incorporating this protective mechanism in advance, the display assembly is protected from damage, ensuring reliability while maintaining the integrated design that reduces device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4601275A1Rotating mechanism and foldable electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4601275A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4601275A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4601275A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a rotation mechanism and a foldable electronic device. The rotation mechanism includes: a primary swing arm, a sliding bracket, a shaft cover, and a stop portion, where the primary swing arm includes a protruding portion disposed on a first end surface, the sliding bracket is of an integral structure and has a slideway that can accommodate the protruding portion and a sliding groove adapted to a sliding portion of the primary swing arm, the stop portion is disposed on one of the shaft cover and the sliding groove bracket, and when the primary swing arm rotates from an unfolded position to a closed position, the protruding portion is fitted with the stop portion, to prevent the primary swing arm from being disengaged from the sliding groove. The sliding groove bracket of the entire rotation mechanism is of an integral structure with a small quantity of parts, and the primary swing arm provided with the protruding portion can be ensured to be disposed in the sliding groove bracket of the integral structure.