Foldable Hinge Mechanism With Screen-Accommodating Support Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with flexible screens face issues of creasing or breakage due to excessive pressing during inward folding, leading to a shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with two rotating support mechanisms, each connected to opposite sides of a hinge base, allowing for switchable first and second folded states, featuring a speed reducer to create a larger accommodating space for the flexible screen during folding, and support portions to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hinge bending radius is small to enable compact folding, then the device achieves compact folded state, but the flexible screen is prone to crease or breakage due to excessive pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments including first support portions and second support portions that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the creation of accommodating spaces between segments to protect the flexible screen during folding, while maintaining compactness when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movement in another dimension by having second support portions move along guide accommodating slots. This dimensional movement creates dynamic accommodating spaces that protect the screen during folding without increasing the overall footprint when unfolded.
2Reliability
If rotating support mechanisms are added to create accommodating space for the flexible screen, then screen protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function with the rotating mechanism by integrating second support portions into the rotating support mechanisms. This combination allows the same structure to provide both rotation capability and screen protection, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating support mechanisms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable rotation movement, create accommodating spaces for screen protection, and guide the folding motion through guide accommodating slots. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hinge mechanism is disclosed, where two rotating support mechanisms (200) are respectively connected to two opposite sides of a hinge base (100); the two rotating support mechanisms (200) can rotate relative to each other, so that the hinge mechanism can be switchable between a first folded state and a second folded state, and the rotating support mechanism (200) includes a rotating shaft (210), a hinge rotating plate (220), and a hinge moving plate (230), where the rotating shaft (210) is rotatably arranged on a hinge base (100), the hinge rotating plate (220) is rotatably connected to the hinge base (100) through the rotating shaft (210), a first end of the hinge rotating plate (220) adjacent to the rotating shaft (210) is provided with an accommodating groove (221), and a second end of the hinge rotating plate (220) away from the rotating shaft (210) is a first support portion (222). The rotating shaft (210) is provided with a speed reducer (240), the speed reducer (240) has a rotating output portion (241), and the rotating output portion (241) can rotate along with the rotating shaft (210), and the hinge moving plate (230) includes a second support portion (231), and the second support portion (231) is at least partially located within the accommodating groove (221). The solution can solve the problem that when a current electronic device is folded inwards, a flexible screen is prone to crease or breakage. An electronic device is also disclosed.