Foldable Terminal Hinge Link Structure for Quiet Durable Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge devices for flexible display panels in portable terminals are prone to durability issues, generate noise, and have complex manufacturing processes, leading to increased component costs and unsimplified designs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a housing, rotating hinge blades, and a tension mechanism that includes link levers and semi-circular protrusions to facilitate smooth folding and unfolding, distributing load and reducing vibrations, while simplifying the interlocking structure and manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interlocking hinge structures with gears are used, then the folding function is achieved, but durability is lowered and vibrations or noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear interlocking mechanism from the hinge structure. Instead of using gears that mesh with each other, the invention uses a link lever that rotates independently within a housing, with inclined link grooves that guide the hinge blades without direct gear-to-gear contact. This extraction of the gear mechanism eliminates the source of vibrations and noise while maintaining the folding function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active gear engagement to transmit motion between hinge blades, the patent uses passive guidance through inclined link grooves. The link lever rotates freely and guides the hinge blades through its groove profiles, inverting the conventional approach from active mechanical engagement to passive guided motion, thereby reducing wear and improving durability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional interlocking hinge structures are used, then the folding function is achieved, but manufacturing processes become complicated and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the link lever component. The link lever simultaneously serves as the rotation axis, the guiding mechanism (through its inclined link grooves), and the interlocking element (through its link protrusions). This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing component costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The link lever is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: it acts as a rotation support, a motion guide through its inclined grooves, and an interlocking mechanism through its protrusions. This universal design reduces the overall component count and simplifies the hinge structure, making it easier and cheaper to manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible display panel is folded, then the foldable structure is achieved, but the display panel changes in length requiring special hinge design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic geometry through the inclined link grooves on the link lever. As the link lever rotates during the folding process, the inclined grooves guide the hinge blades through a motion path that naturally accommodates the changing length of the flexible display panel. This dynamic guidance mechanism adapts to the length变化 without requiring complex adjustable 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 hinge device enhances durability, reduces noise and component costs, and simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing stable folding and unfolding of flexible display panels with improved load distribution and reduced vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a tension mechanism having a tension fixing member having a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft disposed thereon in the direction of the hinge axial line, a first tension blade and a second tension blade fitted to the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft, rotating supportedly thereagainst, and movable to axial directions, tension operating members movably fitted to the first guide shaft and the second guide shaft in the axial directions, and elastic members for applying elastic forces to the tension operating members
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge device of a portable terminal with a foldable structure according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: housing positioned between one end of a first body and one end of a second body; first hinge blade and second hinge blade fixed to the first body and the second body, respectively, and supported by the housing to rotate at a predetermined angle between an ‘unfolded position’ in which the first body and the second body are placed on the same horizontal line and a ‘folded position’ in which the first body and the second body face each other and come into contact with each other; and link lever for interlocking the first hinge blade and the second hinge blade with each other so that the first hinge blade and the second hinge blade move relative to each other, wherein the first hinge blade and the second hinge blade have first inclined link groove and second inclined link groove formed on the undersides thereof, and correspondingly thereto, the link lever has first link protrusion and second link protrusion formed on tops thereof, the link lever being disposed rotatably to a predetermined angle in the housing.