Foldable Phone Hinge Mechanism for Even Screen Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable flexible screen mobile phones face damage due to uneven pressure or tension during folding, as the flexible screen is a fragile component, and existing hinge mechanisms fail to distribute force evenly and accommodate the screen effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism comprising a main shaft component, swing arm component, and synchronization component, where swing arms rotate around different axes and synchronization arms are geared to ensure even force distribution, reducing the likelihood of screen damage and allowing for a water-drop-like accommodation space during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinge mechanism is used, then the mobile terminal can be folded, but the flexible screen experiences uneven pressure or tension causing deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple independent swing arms (first swing arm and second swing arm) that can rotate around different axes. Each swing arm is independently controllable through synchronization arms with gear connections, allowing segmented adjustment of force distribution across the flexible screen to prevent uneven stress concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization component uses geared synchronization arms to create counterbalancing forces that distribute pressure and tension evenly across the flexible screen during folding. The mechanism compensates for uneven force distribution by coordinating the rotation of swing arms on both sides, effectively counteracting harmful stress concentrations
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge mechanism rotates in ultra-thin accommodation space, then the device achieves compact folding, but the flexible screen is more likely to be deformed and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arms rotate around different axes rather than a single axis, creating a three-dimensional rotation path that generates accommodation space within the ultra-thin profile. This multi-axis rotation allows the flexible screen to follow a spatial trajectory that prevents deformation while achieving compact folding volume
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism components are nested within the ultra-thin accommodation space, with swing arms and synchronization arms arranged in a compact configuration. The first and second swing arms are positioned on opposite sides of the main shaft component, efficiently utilizing the limited space while maintaining the necessary rotation capability
3Device complexity
If swing arms rotate around the same axis, then the structure is simpler, but accommodation space for the flexible screen cannot be formed during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arms rotate around different axes (first axis and second axis) that are parallel to the extension direction of the main shaft component, creating three-dimensional motion that generates accommodation space. This multi-axis rotation approach adds structural complexity but enables the formation of necessary space for the flexible screen during folding
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 hinge mechanism ensures even force distribution across the flexible screen, prolongs its service life, and reduces the risk of damage by creating an accommodation space that can accommodate the screen during rotation, enhancing user experience with damping and friction control.
Implementation Method 1
two synchronization arms are geared; and each synchronization arm is slidably connected to a swing arm on a same side as the synchronization arm, and may rotate with the swing arm on the corresponding side
Implementation Method 2
each synchronization arm is slidably connected to a swing arm on a same side as the synchronization arm
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a hinge mechanism and a foldable mobile terminal. A swing arm component and a synchronization component are disposed on both sides of a main shaft component of the hinge mechanism, so that when a swing arm rotates around the main shaft component, a synchronization arm on a same side as the swing arm rotates accordingly to drive a synchronization arm and a swing arm on the other side to rotate, and further, housings on both sides of the foldable mobile terminal including the main shaft component can move synchronously, and force of a flexible screen is relatively even. In addition, because swing arms on both sides of the main shaft component rotate around different axes, through such a design, accommodation space that can accommodate the flexible screen can be formed during rotation of the swing arms, so that damage to the flexible screen is reduced.