Foldable Hinge Module for Stable Multi-Angle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices are limited in maintaining an open state at various angles, compromising user convenience as they can only unfold or fold but not maintain an open position between these states, and are restricted in the range of opening angles.
Innovation Solution
A hinge module with a fixed gear, guiding gear, rotary gears, and an elastic member that allows the first housing and second housing to be fixed at various opening angles by enabling unidirectional rotation and providing elastic force, allowing the device to maintain an open state at multiple angles between the folded and unfolded positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple hinge structure is used to connect the first housing and second housing, then the device can be folded and unfolded, but it cannot maintain an open state at various angles between folded and unfolded positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module is divided into multiple functional components: fixed gear, guiding gear, first rotary gear, second rotary gear, and elastic member. Each component performs a specific function in controlling rotation direction and maintaining angular positions, enabling the system to achieve multi-angle positioning capability through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the rotary gears and the housing, providing elastic force that enables the rotary gears to move toward the fixed and guiding gears. This intermediary mechanism facilitates the transmission of rotational motion while maintaining the desired opening angles.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge module allows rotation in both directions to enable folding and unfolding, then the device can transition between states, but it cannot limit rotation to specific directions for maintaining stable open positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module employs asymmetric gear arrangements where the fixed gear and guiding gear have different functional roles. The fixed gear limits rotation in one direction while the guiding gear controls rotation in the opposite direction, creating asymmetric rotational constraints that enable stable positioning at specific angles while still allowing folding and unfolding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary gears are designed to dynamically engage and disengage with the fixed and guiding gears based on the direction of rotation. During folding, the gears engage to control the motion; during unfolding, the elastic member provides dynamic force to maintain tension. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between stable positioning and free motion as needed.
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
Enables the foldable electronic device to maintain an open state at various desired angles, enhancing user convenience by allowing the device to be used at multiple opening positions between fully open and fully folded states.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member arranged between the first rotary gear and the second rotary gear, and providing an elastic force for the first rotary gear and the second rotary gear to move toward the fixed gear and the guiding gear, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge module capable of fixing a first housing and a second at various opening angles and a foldable electronic device including the same are provided. The foldable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing provided in a shape corresponding to a shape of the first housing, and a hinge module rotatably connecting the first housing to the second housing, the hinge module configured to fix the first housing and the second housing at a certain opening angle, wherein the hinge module includes a fixed gear fixed without rotation and configured to allow a rotation of a counterpart gear in a first direction, and limit a rotation of the counterpart gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a guiding gear configured to allow a rotation of a counterpart gear in the second direction and limit a rotation of the counterpart gear in the first direction, a first rotary gear configured to be engaged with the fixed gear, a second rotary gear configured to be engaged with the guiding gear, and an elastic member arranged between the first rotary gear and the second rotary gear, and providing an elastic force for the first rotary gear and the second rotary gear to move toward the fixed gear and the guiding gear, respectively.