Foldable Hinge Structure With Wire-Pulley Rotation Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a trade-off between the size of the display and the miniaturization of electronic devices, particularly in foldable devices, where existing hinge structures do not effectively manage the rotation of display components without causing excessive stress or structural integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a rotation structure and interlocking mechanism using pulley shafts and a wire system to synchronize the rotation of housings, ensuring equal angular movement and reducing stress on the display, while incorporating a fixing structure to maintain desired angles and prevent unwanted movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display size is increased to support multimedia services, then the display area is improved, but the device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into two separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the total display area to be large while the folded device volume remains compact, resolving the contradiction between display size and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display extends into the third dimension by folding along a hinge axis. When unfolded, the display provides a large area; when folded, the device maintains a compact form factor. This dimensional transformation allows large display area without proportionally increasing device volume.
2Volume of moving object
If a hinge structure is used to enable folding, then the device portability is improved, but the structural integrity and stress management of the display deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
An interlocking structure acts as an intermediary between the first and second housings. This structure includes a first pulley shaft, second pulley shaft, and wire that work together to synchronize the rotation of both housings, ensuring equal angular movement and preventing excessive stress on the display during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure controls the angular parameters of both housings to maintain equal rotation angles. By monitoring and adjusting the rotation parameters, the system prevents excessive bending angles that could damage the display while enabling the folding motion needed for portability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housings rotate independently, then the device flexibility is improved, but the synchronization and stress distribution of the display deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking structure provides mechanical feedback between the two housings. The wire and pulley system continuously monitors and adjusts the rotation of each housing to maintain synchronization, ensuring that both sides rotate by equal angles and preventing uneven stress distribution on the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking structure serves as a mediator that coordinates the independent rotation of both housings. By transmitting rotational force through the wire and pulley shafts, it ensures that both housings move in unison, maintaining display integrity while allowing flexible folding 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 proposed hinge structure allows for synchronized rotation of display components, reducing stress and maintaining structural integrity, thus enabling a seamless folding and unfolding experience without increasing production costs or susceptibility to damage.
Implementation Method 1
a wire connected to the first pulley shaft and the second pulley shaft. The wire is configured to rotate the second pulley shaft based on rotation of the first pulley shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a housing including a first housing and a second housing, a flexible display disposed on the first housing and the second housing, and a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing to each other. The hinge structure may include a rotation structure including a rotation bracket, a first rotation member accommodated in the rotation bracket and connected to the first housing, and a second rotation member accommodated in the rotation bracket and connected to the second housing, and an interlocking structure configured to transfer rotational force of the first housing to the second housing. The interlocking structure may include a first pulley shaft rotatably connected to the rotation bracket, a second pulley shaft rotatably connected to the rotation bracket, a wire connected to the first pulley shaft and the second pulley shaft and configured to rotate the second pulley shaft based on rotation of the first pulley shaft or rotate the first pulley shaft based on rotation of the second pulley shaft, and an idler pulley located between the first pulley shaft and the second pulley shaft and configured to guide movement of the wire. Various other embodiments are available.