Foldable Terminal Hinge Structure for Screen Support and Anti-Reverse Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotating shaft mechanisms for foldable terminal devices with flexible screens suffer from structural instability and risk of damaging the screen during folding and unfolding processes, particularly in sliding screen types, and have poor anti-reverse-folding capabilities in fixed screen types.
Innovation Solution
A rotating shaft mechanism with a main bracket and at least two rotating assemblies, each with a rotating member, sliding member, and middle frame, featuring parallel rotation centers and limiting structures to control the rotation stroke, ensuring the flexible screen remains stable and supported without sliding, and preventing reverse folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding screen type rotating shaft mechanism is used, then the flexible screen can slide along with the motion of the rotating shaft mechanism, but the structure becomes unstable and the flexible screen may experience sliding or squeezing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft mechanism is divided into multiple independent rotating assemblies, each with its own rotating member, sliding member, and middle frame. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (rotation, sliding, positioning) independently, improving overall structural stability while maintaining folding motion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding member acts as an intermediary between the rotating member and the middle frame. It transfers motion smoothly between these components while maintaining stable connections, preventing direct sliding or squeezing of the flexible screen by mediating the interaction forces.
2Reliability
If a fixed screen type rotating shaft mechanism is used, then the flexible screen is fixed relative to the structural member, but the rotating shaft mechanism becomes complex and has poor anti-reverse-folding capability
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (rotating member, sliding member, middle frame, limiting structure) are merged into an integrated rotating assembly that works as a unified mechanism. This combination simplifies the overall structure compared to separate complex mechanisms, while the limiting structure within the assembly provides inherent anti-reverse-folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting structure is designed in advance to prevent reverse folding before it can occur. By providing predetermined mechanical limits to the rotation range, the mechanism inherently resists reverse folding actions without requiring additional complex locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the rotating shaft mechanism lacks proper support structure, then the device can be simpler, but the flexible screen is at risk of damage during folding and unfolding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure provides localized bearing surfaces at critical positions where the flexible screen contacts the mechanism. Rather than a comprehensive support system throughout, bearing surfaces are strategically placed at rotation points and sliding interfaces to provide protection exactly where needed, minimizing overall structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surfaces are positioned in advance to cushion and distribute forces during folding and unfolding. These pre-positioned support surfaces prevent concentrated stresses that could damage the flexible screen before damage occurs, providing protective cushioning at critical contact points.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating shaft mechanism (10) is provided, including a main bracket (1) and at least one rotating assembly (2). Each rotating assembly can rotate relative to the main bracket, to switch between a folding state and an unfolding state. In a coordinating structure formed by the main bracket and any rotating assembly, a first rotation center (01) and a second rotation center (O2) are formed on the main bracket. The rotating assembly includes a rotating member (21), a middle frame (22), and a sliding member (23). A third rotation center (03) is formed on the middle frame. The rotating member can be rotatably connected to the main bracket about the first rotation center, and the other end of the rotating member can be rotatably connected to the middle frame about the third rotation center. One end of the sliding member is hinged to the main bracket, and the sliding member can rotate relative to the main bracket about the second rotation center. The other end of the sliding member slidably coordinates with the middle frame, so that the middle frame is away from or close to the second rotation center along an extension direction of the sliding member. The rotating shaft mechanism can achieve a good support effect for a flexible screen when the foldable terminal device is folded and unfolded, and a failure risk of the flexible screen is low. This application further relates to a foldable terminal device (100) including the rotating shaft mechanism.