Foldable Hinge Coupling Structure for Low-Wear Fixing Pin Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The friction between fixing pins and peripheral structures in foldable electronic devices causes wear and dust generation, degrading the performance and portability of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a denser coupling between the arm part and rotation part, utilizing first and second fixing pins, sliding parts, and connection holes to reduce the movement of the fixing pins, thereby minimizing friction and dust generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixing pin is used to connect the arm part and the rotation part, then the connection is simplified, but friction and wear occur between the fixing pin and the peripheral structure
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, reducing uncontrolled movement and friction with peripheral structures while maintaining the simplicity of the pin-based connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding part acts as an intermediary between the fixing pin and the rotation part, providing a guided pathway (slide hole) that constrains the fixing pin's movement. Similarly, the connection part with its protrusion serves as an intermediary that further stabilizes the fixing pin position. These intermediary structures reduce direct friction between the fixing pin and other components.
2Ease of operation
If the fixing pin moves during rotation, then the connection allows flexibility, but seaming and dust generation occur due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into discrete elements (fixing pin, sliding part, connection part) that work together to provide controlled movement. The fixing pin can move within the confines of the slide hole and connection hole, maintaining rotation flexibility while preventing uncontrolled movement that would cause seaming and dust generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide hole and connection hole are pre-formed with specific geometries that guide and constrain the fixing pin's movement before any friction or wear can occur. The protrusion is pre-positioned to contact the sliding part, establishing a stable connection pathway in advance, which prevents the fixing pin from moving in ways that would generate dust during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the coupling between arm part and rotation part is loose, then assembly is easier, but the fixing pin moves and causes wear
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into modular components that can be assembled separately and then connected. The fixing pin, sliding part, and connection part are distinct elements that fit together, providing both ease of assembly and stable connection. The standardized interface between these segments allows for simple manufacturing while ensuring reliable connection when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements (fixing pin, sliding part, connection part with protrusion) are merged into a single integrated coupling system. This combination provides both the ease of assembly of modular components and the connection stability of an integrated structure, as the elements work together to constrain and stabilize the fixing pin while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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.