Foldable Device Rotating Mechanism for Reduced Folded Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating mechanisms for foldable electronic devices result in a large thickness when in a folded state due to protrusion of swing arms, hindering lightness and thinning of the device.
Innovation Solution
A rotating mechanism with a first and second fastening frame, a first main swing arm, and a first intermediate swing arm, allowing for reduced protrusion by compensating for rotation angles, and incorporating an intermediate swing arm to minimize the distance the main swing arm extends from the fixed base in the folded state, along with a synchronization assembly for synchronized rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rotating mechanism with swing arm and base is used to implement virtual-pivot rotation, then the rotation function is achieved, but the swing arm protrudes by a distance in the folding thickness direction in a folded state, resulting in a large thickness of the foldable device
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm is divided into a main swing arm and an intermediate swing arm. The intermediate swing arm is disposed between the main swing arm and the fastening frame, enabling independent rotation. This segmentation allows the main swing arm to have a reduced rotation angle, thereby reducing its protrusion distance in the thickness direction while maintaining the overall rotation function through the coordinated rotation of both arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism transitions from a single-plane rotation to a multi-dimensional rotation system. The intermediate swing arm rotates relative to the main swing arm, adding an additional rotational dimension. This enables the main swing arm to rotate through a smaller angle in the primary dimension while the intermediate swing arm compensates by rotating in its own dimension, reducing the protrusion in the thickness direction.
2Length of stationary object
If the rotation angle of the main swing arm is reduced to minimize protrusion distance, then the thickness in folded state is reduced, but the rotation mechanism requires additional components to compensate for the reduced rotation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate swing arm is integrated with the main swing arm through a rotatable connection, merging the rotation functions into a unified mechanism. The intermediate swing arm is disposed between the main swing arm and the fastening frame, and both arms work together as a coordinated system to achieve the overall rotation while minimizing protrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate swing arm acts as an intermediary component between the main swing arm and the fastening frame. It mediates the rotation by providing an additional rotational degree of freedom, allowing the main swing arm to rotate through a smaller angle while still achieving the required overall rotation through the intermediate swing arm's compensation.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating mechanism and a foldable electronic device. The rotating mechanism includes a fixed base, a first fastening frame, a second fastening frame, a first main swing arm, and a first intermediate swing arm. The first fastening frame and the second fastening frame are respectively located on two opposite sides of the fixed base in a width direction, and are capable of rotating relative to the fixed base, and rotation directions of the first fastening frame and the second fastening frame are opposite. One end of the first main swing arm is rotatably connected to the fixed base, the other end of the first main swing arm is rotatably connected to the first intermediate swing arm, and an end that is of the first intermediate swing arm and that is away from the first main swing arm is rotatably connected to the first fastening frame.