Foldable Hinge Module With Arc-Guided Support for Wrinkle Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable device hinge mechanisms are complex, leading to unstable transmission and slow gap reduction, causing wrinkles or separations in flexible monitors during folding, and fail to meet the requirement of thin and lightweight design.
Innovation Solution
A hinge module with a simplified structure incorporating a connection rod, linkage member, slide member, support plate member, and middle transmission member, allowing for an arc-shaped swinging movement that generates a free seesaw effect, eliminating the need for direct pivotal connections and enabling stable accommodation of a bent central portion of a flexible monitor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct pivotal connecting structure is adopted, then the structure is simple, but the transmission stability is poor and the gap reduction speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compensating folding/unfolding path mechanism as an intermediary between the pivotal connection and the support structure. This mechanism includes a connection rod with a guiding slot, a sliding member with a guiding groove, and a support plate member that works together to mediate the motion transmission, thereby improving transmission stability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion path parameters by using arc-shaped guiding slots and guiding grooves instead of simple linear or circular paths. This parameter change allows the mechanism to achieve both stability and speed in gap reduction while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
2Reliability
If the support structure moves slowly to reduce the gap, then the structure is stable, but the flexible monitor may be pulled or squeezed causing wrinkles or separations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic motion paths through the compensating mechanism, where the connection rod, sliding member, and support plate member work together to provide both stable guidance and sufficient speed. The arc-shaped guiding paths enable the support structure to move rapidly while maintaining stability, preventing wrinkles or separations in the flexible monitor
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating folding/unfolding path mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the stability function from the speed function. The guiding slots and grooves provide stability through precise path control, while the mechanism's design enables rapid gap reduction, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and speed
3Volume of moving object
If a dual-axle type rotation shaft or complex compensating mechanism is used, then the gap for accommodating bent portion can be reduced, but the device volume becomes large and cannot meet thin and light requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The connection rod, sliding member, and support plate member work together as one compact compensating mechanism that reduces the gap volume while maintaining simplicity. This unified design avoids the need for separate dual-axle rotation shafts or complex mechanisms, achieving both small volume and simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses arc-shaped guiding slots and grooves that operate in a curved path rather than linear motion. This dimensional change in the motion path allows the mechanism to achieve effective gap reduction in a compact space, meeting the thin and light requirements while maintaining functional effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hinge module of a foldable type device, which is connected to two casings for being relatively rotated for being in a folded status or in a unfolded status, each of the casings has a fixed outer casing and a moveable inner casing. The hinge module includes a base and two slide mechanisms. One end of a connection rod of each slide mechanism and one end of the linkage member are respectively pivoted to two pivotal parts at one end of the base; after each inner casing is driven to reversely displace, one end of each plate member is separated from each block part, so as to reversely swing and shift for forming an accommodation space allowing a bent central portion of a flexible monitor to be accommodated.