Foldable Hinge Assembly With Integrated Protrusion Pin Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of separate pin members in hinge assemblies for electronic devices with flexible displays increases the number of components, leading to higher costs and potential quality issues due to accumulated errors.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design that connects components without a separate pin member, using a hinge bracket with an intermediate protrusion and through-holes in intermediate members, allowing for rotational movement about a middle axis, reducing the number of components and improving quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate pin member is used to rotatably connect components to a bracket, then the hinge assembly can achieve rotational movement, but the number of components increases leading to higher cost and accumulated errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pin member function directly into the bracket structure by forming a protrusion that extends from the bracket body. This protrusion serves as the rotational connection element, eliminating the need for a separate pin member. The intermediate member has a through-hole that receives this integrated protrusion, achieving the same rotational connectivity while reducing component count and eliminating assembly errors associated with separate pin members.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate pin member is used, then rotational connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with an integrated protrusion that forms as a single piece with the bracket body through casting or molding processes. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate pin members and reduces assembly steps. The intermediate member with its through-hole is also manufactured as a single component, simplifying the overall manufacturing process and reducing costs associated with multiple parts and assembly operations.
3Weight of moving object
If a separate pin member is used, then the hinge assembly can be assembled, but weight increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the rotational connection function into the bracket's protrusion structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate pin members. This reduction in component count directly decreases the overall weight of the hinge assembly. The intermediate member with its through-hole maintains all necessary rotational functionality while being slightly lighter than an equivalent separate pin member design.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display, a first housing, a second housing and a hinge assembly configured to connect the first housing and the second housing, and having a pair of hinge axes. The hinge assembly includes a hinge bracket including an intermediate protrusion formed to protrude in a direction of a middle axis perpendicular to the pair of hinge axes, a pair of hinge structures connected to the hinge bracket to be rotatable about the pair of hinge axes, and an intermediate member including a through-hole into which the intermediate protrusion is inserted, to be rotatable about the middle axis with respect to the hinge bracket. The intermediate protrusion also includes a protrusion base having a first radius, and a head including a projection which is formed on the protrusion base and which has a second radius greater than the first radius.