Foldable Screen Hinge Gear Assembly for Synchronized Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display screen hinges have complex structures and high manufacturing costs due to multiple links and rotation shafts, making them inefficient and costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A rotating device with a simple structure comprising pairs of rotation assemblies and a gear assembly, where each rotation assembly includes a support frame and a rotating rack with a driving gear, allowing synchronous rotation and facilitating easy folding or unfolding of electronic device components, reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing hinges with multiple links and rotation shafts are used to support flexible display screens, then the folding and unfolding functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding and unfolding functionalityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into multiple independent links (first link, second link, third link, fourth link) that can move relative to each other, allowing the folding function while keeping each segment simple in structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rotating rack is introduced as an intermediary component that rotates relative to the support frame to drive the gear assembly, replacing the need for multiple complex rotation shafts and damping mechanisms while achieving the same folding function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If existing hinges with multiple links and rotation shafts are used to support flexible display screens, then the folding and unfolding functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding and unfolding functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The damping mechanism and multiple rotation shafts are extracted from the traditional hinge structure, leaving only the essential rotating rack and gear assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simplified rotating rack design that can be easily manufactured and replicated, replacing the complex multi-component hinge structure with a more manufacturable single-piece or fewer-piece alternative

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple rotating device structure is used, then manufacturing cost and assembly time are reduced, but the synchronous rotation control of multiple racks may become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronous rotation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rotating racks are merged into a single gear assembly system where all racks interact with the same gear mechanism, ensuring that rotation of any rack automatically translates to synchronized rotation of all other racks through the shared gear assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gear assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits rotation from any single rack to all other racks, provides structural support, and ensures synchronized movement, making the system reliable without adding complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 rotating device enables efficient assembly and disassembly, reduces production time, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective folding and unfolding functionality of flexible screens.

Implementation Method 1

the first rotating rib and the first arc-shaped groove that are mutually matched with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

The rotating rack is provided with a driving gear engaging with the gear assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3889452B1Rotating device, housing and electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3889452B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889452B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3889452B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a rotating device (25), a housing (20) provided with the rotating device (25), and an electronic device (100). The electronic device (100) includes a flexible screen (30) and the housing (20). The flexible screen (30) is arranged on the housing (20). The housing (20) includes a first frame body (21), a second frame body (23), and the rotating device (25). The rotating device (25) is connected between the first frame body (21) and the second frame body (23). The rotating device (25) is configured to fold or unfold the first frame body (21) and the second frame body (23). The rotating device (25) includes at least one pair of rotation assemblies (250), and a gear assembly (256) located between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies (250). Each rotation assembly (250) includes a support frame (251) and a rotating rack (253) rotatably connected to the support frame (251). The rotating rack (253) is provided with a driving gear (2570) engaging with the gear assembly (256). The rotating racks (253) of one pair of rotation assemblies (250) are synchronously rotatable by rotating the rotating rack (253) relative to a corresponding support frame (251) to rotate a corresponding driving gear (2570), and further rotating the gear assembly (256) by the corresponding driving gear (2570).