Foldable Hinge Torque Structure for Easier One-Hand Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with larger screens face increased restoring torque and friction torque, making it difficult for users to fold or unfold them with one hand, as the friction torque required to maintain arbitrary folded states increases with display size.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a torque structure that provides a section where friction torque does not increase when unfolding from a fully folded state to a free stop section, allowing for easier folding and unfolding by reducing the rotational torque required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display size is increased, then the screen area is improved, but the friction torque increases making it difficult to fold or unfold with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple sections with different friction torque characteristics: a first section with constant friction torque and a second section with increasing friction torque. This segmentation allows the device to be easily folded/unfolded in the first section while maintaining stability in the second section, resolving the contradiction between large display area and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction torque is made dynamic rather than constant throughout the folding range. The torque structure provides different friction torque levels depending on the folding angle section, enabling easy operation during initial folding/unfolding while providing stability at folded positions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the friction characteristics to different operational phases.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the friction torque is increased to maintain folded states, then the stability of folded states is improved, but the rotational torque required to fold or unfold increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding range is segmented into two sections: the first section provides constant friction torque for easy folding/unfolding with low rotational torque, while the second section provides increasing friction torque for stable folded state maintenance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different torque levels to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Different friction torque characteristics are applied to different angular sections of the hinge structure. The first section has constant friction torque optimized for ease of operation, while the second section has increasing friction torque optimized for stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and required force.
3Ease of operation
If the torque structure provides constant friction torque, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain arbitrary folded states is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into a first section with constant friction torque for easy operation and a second section with increasing friction torque for stable folded state maintenance. This segmentation allows the system to provide both ease of operation and stable folded state maintenance, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 torque structure enables users to fold or unfold the electronic device with relatively small rotational torque, maintaining folded states at various angles and improving user convenience by reducing the effort needed to manage larger display sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member configured to be compressed or uncompressed by at least one of the first cam structures, second cam structures disposed on the second arm shaft, where at least one of the second cam structures linearly moves in the first axial direction along the second arm shaft, and a second elastic member configured to be compressed or uncompressed by at least one of the second cam structures
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge structure connected to the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing rotates about a first axis of rotation parallel to a first axial direction and the second housing rotates about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axial direction. The first housing and the second housing form an angle. The hinge structure includes a first arm shaft configured to operate based on rotation of the first housing, the first arm shaft being parallel to the first axial direction, a second arm shaft configured to operate based on rotation of the second housing, the second arm shaft being parallel to the first axial direction, and a torque structure.