Foldable Screen Hinge Module With Shifting Rotation Centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rotating modules for folding screen devices often cause unnatural bending and damage to the folding screen due to their single-angle folding mechanism, which fails to effectively avoid folding the screen during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A rotating module with two rotating arms and a bracket, where the rotation centers of the arms adjust between different positions on a track groove, allowing for a more natural bending of the screen by changing the rotation center's position from the center to the edge during folding, reducing stress on the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-angle folded rotating module is used, then the structure is simple, but the folding screen bends unnaturally and is easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotating module structureVSAvoidfolding screen durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating module transitions from a fixed single-angle folding mechanism to a dynamic multi-angle mechanism. The first and second rotating arms can rotate relative to the bracket at different angles independently, allowing the system to adapt to the natural bending radius of the folding screen at different positions, thereby reducing stress concentration and improving screen durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the rotation center is fixed at the center of the bracket, then the structure is simple, but the screen cannot avoid folding effectively causing unnatural bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation center positioningVSAvoidscreen bending shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating module is segmented into multiple independent rotating components: the first rotating arm with its own rotation center, the second rotating arm with its own rotation center, and the bracket. Each segment can rotate independently, allowing the rotation centers to be positioned at different locations rather than fixed at a single central point, enabling better accommodation of the screen's natural bending shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multi-angle rotation is implemented, then the screen bending effect improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen protectionVSAvoidrotating module structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple rotating arms and rotation centers into a single integrated rotating module that works together as a unified mechanism. The first rotating arm, second rotating arm, and bracket are structurally integrated, allowing multi-angle rotation functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity through coordinated design of the components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4092505B1Rotating module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4092505B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4092505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotating module is provided and includes two rotating arms (200), and a bracket (100) having a track groove (110) and located between the two rotating arms (200). Each rotating arm (200) includes a first rotating piece (210), a first end (211) of which is located in the track groove (110); and a second rotating piece (220) connected with the bracket (100) and a second end (212) of the first rotating piece (210) respectively. In a folded state, a rotation center of the first rotating piece (210) is in a first position on the groove wall of the track groove (110); in an unfolded state, the rotation center of the first rotating piece (210) is in a second position on the groove wall of the track groove (110). The second position is located between a center position of the track groove (110) and the first position, and the rotation center of the first rotating piece (210) is one rotation center of the rotating arm (200).