Foldable Hinge Shielding Plates for Thin, Smooth Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic devices face challenges in minimizing size and thickness while ensuring reliable shielding of the hinge mechanism, leading to space inefficiencies and potential interference issues during folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A foldable apparatus with non-collinear axes for the shielding plates and rotating arms, allowing for sliding and rotating connections that enable smooth opening and closing, and the use of magnetic attraction for seamless integration of shielding plates, reducing friction and interference with the hinge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielding plates are disposed between rear housings to shield the hinge, then shielding function is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked arrangement of shielding plates. The first and second shielding plates are positioned at different depths between the rear housings, creating a layered shielding structure that reduces the overall thickness while maintaining comprehensive shielding coverage of the hinge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding plates are nested within the space between the rear housings, with the first shielding plate connected to the first rotating arm and the second shielding plate connected to the second rotating arm. This nesting approach allows the shielding structure to be integrated into the existing foldable mechanism without adding significant thickness.
2Reliability
If shielding plates are disposed to shield the hinge, then shielding function is improved, but device width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding structure is segmented into multiple independent shielding plates (first shielding plate and second shielding plate) that can be positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows the shielding function to be distributed across multiple smaller components rather than requiring a single large shielding plate, thereby reducing the overall width of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging shielding plates in a three-dimensional configuration with different positions and orientations, the patent achieves comprehensive hinge shielding without requiring the shielding plates to span the entire width of the device. The shielding function is achieved through strategic placement in three-dimensional space rather than through broad coverage in two dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If rotating arms with non-collinear axes are used, then smooth opening and closing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-collinear rotation axes for the first and second rotating arms, creating an asymmetric rotation mechanism. The first rotation axis and second rotation axis are positioned at different locations and orientations, which enables the shielding plates to follow optimized motion trajectories during opening and closing operations, reducing interference and improving smoothness of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating arms are designed with degrees of freedom that allow dynamic adjustment of the shielding plate positions and orientations during the folding and unfolding process. This dynamic capability enables the shielding plates to adapt their positions to avoid interference with the hinge mechanism while maintaining shielding effectiveness throughout the range of motion.
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 solution achieves a compact design with reduced thickness and improved user experience by ensuring smooth operation and appearance integrity, while avoiding interference and maintaining reliable shielding of the hinge mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge is rotatably connected to the first mounting plate and forms a first axis, and the hinge is rotatably connected to the second mounting plate and forms a second axis
Implementation Method 2
The first shielding plate is slidably connected to the first mounting plate, and the second shielding plate is slidably connected to the second mounting plate
Implementation Method 3
the use of magnetic attraction for seamless integration of shielding plates, reducing friction and interference with the hinge
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a foldable apparatus includes a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate; when the foldable apparatus is in an unfolded state, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate are configured to be interconnected; and when the foldable apparatus is in a folded state, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate are configured to be disposed between a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate in a stacked manner.