Foldable Hinge Structure With Semi-Automatic Unfolding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The restoring forces in foldable electronic devices impede the folding operation, requiring large rotational torques to unfold and making it difficult to unfold with one hand.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a semi-automatic unfolding section and a free-stop section, incorporating cams and elastic members to provide controlled unfolding and stable folding at various angles, enhancing friction areas for improved operation reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a friction structure is added to provide friction torques to maintain folded state, then stability of folded state is improved, but rotational torque required to unfold increases making one-handed operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple functional sections: a folded state maintaining section with friction structure, a semi-automatic unfolding section with elastic members, and a flat state maintaining section. This segmentation allows different operational characteristics in different angular ranges, resolving the contradiction by providing stability where needed while enabling easy unfolding in the transition zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure dynamically changes its friction characteristics across different operating sections. In the folded state maintaining section, high friction provides stability. In the semi-automatic unfolding section, elastic members reduce friction to enable automatic unfolding. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If elastic members are added to create semi-automatic unfolding section, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members are integrated with the existing cam structures and friction elements to form a unified hinge mechanism. The same mechanical components serve multiple functions: cams provide both the friction interface and the mechanical advantage for the elastic members, reducing overall complexity despite adding semi-automatic unfolding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members automatically engage and disengage based on the hinge angle, providing semi-automatic unfolding without requiring external control mechanisms. When the hinge reaches a specific angle in the folded state maintaining section, the elastic members automatically push the hinge into the semi-automatic unfolding section, enabling one-handed operation without additional complexity.
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
Enables easy unfolding with reduced torque requirements, allowing one-handed operation and maintaining stable folded states, thus improving user convenience and device durability.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member and a second elastic member, respectively, extending along the first arm shaft and the second arm shaft
Implementation Method 2
a friction structure that provides friction torques having a specified magnitude to stably maintain the folded state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus comprises a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge structure connected to the first housing and the second housing. The hinge structure may include: a first arm shaft associated with the rotation of the first housing and parallel to the axial direction; a second arm shaft associated with the rotation of the second housing and parallel to the axial direction; a first arm cam and a second arm cam, which rotate together with the first arm shaft; a third arm cam and a fourth arm cam, which rotate together with the second arm shaft; a first cam member that includes a first moving cam fastened to the first arm cam and a second moving cam fastened to the third arm cam; a second cam member that includes a third moving cam fastened to the second arm cam and a fourth moving cam fastened to the fourth arm cam; a first elastic member coupled to the first arm shaft and disposed between the first cam member and the second cam member; and a second elastic member coupled to the second arm shaft and disposed between the first cam member and the second cam member. Various other embodiments that can be understood through the specification are also possible.