Foldable Screen Hinge Assembly With Integrated Support Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The folding mechanism in existing foldable electronic devices occupies large space in the thickness direction, hindering the design of lightweight and thin devices due to the need for components like springs and sliding columns to lift and lower lifting/lowering plates.
Innovation Solution
A folding assembly with swing arms having first and second push parts that rotate to control the movement of a support member, eliminating the need for additional components like springs, and reducing the overall thickness by staggered positioning of push parts along the rotation axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting/lowering plate with springs and sliding columns is used to support the foldable screen, then the screen can be properly supported in unfolded state and cleared in folded state, but the folding mechanism occupies large space in thickness direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lifting/lowering plate with the swing arms into an integrated structure. The swing arms directly perform the lifting and lowering functions without requiring separate springs, sliding columns, and fixed bases. This merging eliminates multiple components and reduces the overall thickness of the folding mechanism while maintaining the reliability of screen support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (springs, sliding columns, fixed bases) from the folding mechanism. By removing these redundant elements and retaining only the essential swing arm structure, the design achieves thinness while preserving the core functionality of supporting the foldable screen in both folded and unfolded states.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components (spring, sliding column, fixed base) are added to lift and lower the lifting/lowering plate, then the lifting and lowering function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lifting and lowering functions directly into the swing arm structure. The swing arms naturally perform these functions through their rotational movement, eliminating the need for separate lifting mechanisms. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation for screen support and clearance.
3Volume of moving object
If the first push part and second push part are positioned at the same location in the rotation axis direction, then the structure is more compact, but the push parts interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the interference issue by staggering the first push part and second push part along the rotation axis direction. This dimensional arrangement allows both push parts to operate at different positions along the rotation axis, eliminating their mutual interference while maintaining a compact overall structure. The staggered positioning enables each push part to function independently without collision.
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 folding assembly simplifies the structure and reduces the thickness dimension of the folding mechanism, minimizing space occupation and enabling a more compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the swing arms are rotatably connected to the base to enable each swing arm to be rotatable between an unfolded position and a folded position
Implementation Method 2
the first push part abuts against the first surface to push the support member to move toward the base, and during rotation of the swing arm from the folded position to the unfolded position, the second push part abuts against the second surface to push the support member to move away from the base
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the field of foldable electronic device technologies and provide a folding assembly, a folding apparatus, and a terminal device. The folding assembly includes a base, a support member, and at least two swing arms. The at least two swing arms are respectively arranged at two sides of the support member. The swing arms are rotatably connected to the base so as to be rotatable between an unfolded position and a folded position. Each swing arm is provided with a first push part and a second push part. The first push part and the second push part are arranged in sequence in a direction of a rotation axis of the swing arm. During rotation of the swing arm from the unfolded position to the folded position, the first push part is driven to rotate to push the support member to move toward the base. During rotation of the swing arm from the folded position to the unfolded position, the second push part is driven to rotate to push the support member to move away from the base. According to embodiments of this application, a structure of the folding assembly is simplified, and the thickness dimension of the folding assembly is reduced, thereby reducing the space of the folding apparatus occupied in a thickness direction by the folding assembly.