Foldable Hinge Lap Joint Mechanism for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices, the support plates often shake and stability of their moving tracks cannot be ensured due to gaps between components, leading to potential damage and instability during folding and unfolding processes.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a base, mounting brackets, support plates, and linkage components, featuring lap joint structures that allow precise control of the support plates' movement by sliding surfaces, preventing shaking and ensuring stability through arc surfaces and overlapping paths, and additional features like rotary sliders and arc arms for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge mechanism uses a base, mounting brackets, support plates, and linkage components for folding and unfolding, then the device achieves foldable functionality with display accommodation, but the support plates shake and moving track stability cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide component as an intermediary element between the support plate and the base. This guide component includes a guide groove that guides the support plate's movement, effectively mediating the interaction between these components to prevent shaking while maintaining foldable functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the base, mounting brackets, support plates, linkage components, and the guide component. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, with the guide component specifically addressing the stability issue without interfering with the folding mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the support plates are allowed to move freely for folding operation, then the device can be folded and unfolded, but the moving tracks become unstable and prone to shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The guide component acts as a mediator that provides a defined path (guide groove) for the support plate to follow during folding operations. This ensures reliable and stable movement tracks while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove is designed with a curved path that matches the natural arc of the support plate's movement during folding. This curved guidance ensures smooth, shake-free operation throughout the folding range
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 hinge mechanism effectively prevents support plate shaking and ensures stable movement tracks, enhancing the user experience by maintaining the integrity of the flexible display and improving the overall folding and unfolding process.
Implementation Method 1
the second surface of the second lap joint structure slides along the surface of the first lap joint structure
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge mechanism includes a first lap joint structure disposed on one end of each linkage component rotatably connected to a base, and extends in a direction from one end of the base to a mounting bracket located on a same side as the first lap joint structure, and a second lap joint structure disposed on one side of each support plate and that faces the base and extends in a direction from the side of the support plate to the base, wherein a second surface of the second lap joint structure slides along a surface of the first lap joint structure when two mounting brackets are relatively folded or unfolded.