Foldable Hinge Assembly With Overlap Stops for Structural Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and efficient use of space when transitioning between folded and unfolded states, particularly in hinge assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly that connects two housing portions of an electronic device, featuring a hinge housing with protruding regions that overlap connecting bodies in the unfolded state to stabilize and limit movement, ensuring secure and efficient deployment of a flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hinge assembly uses a compact design to reduce space occupation, then the device thickness is reduced, but the structural stability and movement limitation capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge housing includes protruding regions that extend in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis, creating overlap with connecting bodies when viewed along the folding axis. This dimensional approach allows the hinge assembly to maintain compact volume while the protruding regions provide structural stability and movement limitation capability through their spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding regions of the hinge housing are disposed to overlap with the connecting bodies in a nested spatial arrangement when viewed in the folding axis direction. This nesting allows multiple components to occupy overlapping projected spaces without physical interference, achieving compact volume while maintaining structural integrity through the overlapping configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge assembly allows full range of motion for flexibility, then the device can transition between folded and unfolded states, but unwanted movement and structural instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding regions of the hinge housing act as intermediary elements that interact with the connecting bodies during movement. These protruding regions provide guidance and limitation to the motion of connecting bodies, enabling the hinge assembly to transition between folded and unfolded states while preventing unwanted movement and maintaining structural stability through the mediating action of the protruding regions.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge assembly components are spaced apart in the folded state, then smooth folding operation is achieved, but structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial relationship between the protruding regions and connecting bodies is dynamic, changing with the folding state. In the folded state, the components are spaced apart to allow smooth folding operation. In the unfolded state, the protruding regions overlap with the connecting bodies to provide structural integrity and movement limitation. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electronic device may include a housing structure including a first housing portion and a second housing portion, a hinge assembly operable between a folded state and an unfolded state relative to a folding axis, a connecting body disposed on at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and a hinge housing including a protruding region provided at a position facing the connecting body, in the unfolded state, in which the hinge assembly is partially disposed, wherein the connecting body overlaps the protruding region in the unfolded state, when viewed in a direction of the folding axis. Various other embodiments are also possible.