Foldable Hinge Coupling Structure for Low-Friction Pin Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The friction between fixing pins and peripheral structures in foldable electronic devices causes seaming and dust generation, leading to wear and tear, which degrades the device's performance and portability.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a denser coupling between the arm part and rotation part, featuring sliding parts and protrusions that reduce the movement of fixing pins, thereby minimizing friction and preventing seaming and dust generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixing pin is used to connect the arm part and rotation part, then the connection is simple and easy to manufacture, but friction occurs between the fixing pin and peripheral structure causing seaming and dust generation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into multiple components: the fixing pin, the sliding part with slide hole, and the connection part with connection hole and protrusion. This segmentation allows the fixing pin to be constrained within defined pathways, preventing direct friction against peripheral structures while maintaining ease of assembly and manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding part and connection part act as intermediary structures between the fixing pin and the peripheral components. The protrusion within the slide hole creates a guided interface that mediates the movement and positioning of the fixing pin, eliminating direct contact and friction between the pin and harmful peripheral surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fixing pin moves during rotation, then the connection allows some flexibility, but the movement causes wear and tear on the fixing pin and peripheral structure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled movement. The sliding part with its slide hole and the connection part with protrusion create a dynamic yet constrained interface, permitting necessary flexibility during rotation while preventing excessive movement that would cause wear and tear on the fixing pin and peripheral structures.
3Reliability
If a denser coupling structure is implemented to reduce fixing pin movement, then wearing performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The denser coupling is achieved through segmentation into distinct functional components (fixing pin, sliding part, connection part) rather than a single complex element. Each segment has a specific function, and their combination creates the constrained coupling needed to reduce fixing pin movement and improve wearing performance while keeping individual components simple and manufacturable.
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 improved hinge structure reduces friction and dust generation, enhancing the wearing performance and maintaining the portability of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first protrusion formed at a peripheral portion of the first connection hole such that at least a portion thereof is located in the first slide hole to contact the first sliding part
Data Source
AI summary
An example hinge structure of an electronic device includes a first rotation part connected to a first housing and being rotatable about a first axis, a second rotation part connected to a second housing and being rotatable about a second axis in an opposite direction to that of the first rotation part, a first arm part connected to the first rotation part and being rotatable about a first rotary shaft, a second arm part connected to the second rotation part and being rotatable about a second rotary shaft in an opposite direction to that of the first arm part, a first fixing pin connecting the first rotation part and the first arm part, and a second fixing pin connecting the second rotation part and the second arm part. The first rotation part may include a first bracket body, and a first sliding part formed on one side of the first bracket body, and including a first slide hole, into which a portion of the first fixing pin is insertable, the first arm part may include a basic body, and a first connection part formed on one side of the first basic body, and the first connection part may include a first connection hole, into which a portion of the first fixing pin is insertable, and a first protrusion formed at a peripheral portion of the first connection hole such that at least a portion thereof is located in the first slide hole to contact the first sliding part.