Foldable Terminal Rotation Mechanism With Thin Stable Hinge Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable terminals face challenges in achieving a lightweight and thin design due to the large thickness of their rotation mechanisms, which compromises their reliability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A rotation mechanism with a fixed base, swing arms, and limiting members that utilize sliding grooves and limiting holes to reduce thickness, allowing for a single-layer sliding structure, enhancing stability and reducing the overall size of the foldable terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rotation mechanism is used to ensure rotation reliability, then the rotation reliability is improved, but the thickness of the foldable terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is divided into multiple functional components: a fixed base with sliding grooves, swing arms with rotation shaft parts, and limiting members with limiting holes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall thickness while maintaining rotation reliability through precise geometric constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional multi-layer stacked rotation mechanism to a single-layer planar structure by utilizing circular arc-shaped sliding grooves and corresponding rotation shaft parts. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the thickness direction (Z-axis) occupancy while maintaining the rotation function through carefully designed groove geometries that guide the swing arms.
2Length of stationary object
If the thickness of the rotation mechanism is reduced, then the foldable terminal achieves a light and thin design, but the rotation stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs circular arc-shaped sliding grooves and circular arc-shaped rotation shaft parts to create a curved geometric constraint system. This curvature design ensures smooth rotational motion while maintaining stable contact between components, preventing lateral deviations and ensuring rotation stability even in a thin-profile structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes critical parameters including the radius of the circular arc grooves, the positioning of limiting holes, and the dimensions of swing arms. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the mechanism achieves both reduced thickness and maintained rotation stability, with the limiting members precisely controlling the rotation range to prevent excessive movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a rotation mechanism and a foldable terminal. The rotation mechanism includes a fixed base, a first swing arm, a second swing arm, a first limiting member, and a second limiting member. A first sliding groove and a second sliding groove are disposed on the fixed base. A first rotation shaft part of the first swing arm is installed in the first sliding groove, and may rotate relative to the fixed base. A second rotation shaft part of the second swing arm is installed in the second sliding groove, and may rotate relative to the fixed base. Rotation directions of the first rotation shaft part and the second rotation shaft part are opposite relative to the fixed base. The first limiting member is disposed in a first sliding hole of the first rotation shaft part, and is fixedly connected to the fixed base. When the first rotation shaft part rotates relative to the fixed base, the first limiting member slides relative to the first rotation shaft part along the first sliding hole. The second limiting member is disposed in a second sliding hole of the second rotation shaft part, and is fixed to the fixed base. When the second rotation shaft part rotates relative to the fixed base, the second limiting member slides along the second sliding hole relative to the second rotation shaft part.