Inward-Foldable Screen Hinge With Rotating Middle Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for inward-foldable flexible screen mobile terminals require a thicker middle housing due to the bulging shape of the bending portion, making it difficult to achieve a thinner form factor.
Innovation Solution
A hinge with left and right rotating supports, middle rotating supporting components, and elastic components that allow the middle support plates to rotate downward into the housing when folded, reducing the thickness requirement by providing space for the flexible screen's lower end and compressing to support the screen when unfolded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting plate structure is used to support the flexible screen middle portion, then the flexible screen can be supported when unfolded, but the middle housing thickness requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the middle rotating supporting components movable rather than fixed. These components can rotate between a first position (when the hinge is folded) and a second position (when the hinge is unfolded), allowing the middle housing to adapt its thickness dynamically based on the hinge state, thus reducing the required middle housing thickness while maintaining support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the supporting function by introducing separate middle rotating supporting components that are independent from the main rotating supports. This segmentation allows the support structure to be optimized independently, enabling the middle housing to be thinner while still providing necessary support for the flexible screen through the articulated middle supporting components
2Length of stationary object
If the middle housing thickness is reduced, then the mobile terminal can be thinner, but it becomes difficult to accommodate the lifting plate structure for supporting the flexible screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the middle rotating supporting components within the housing structure in a compact arrangement. The components are nested between the left and right rotating supports, allowing the support mechanism to be integrated into a thinner overall structure while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a fixed two-dimensional support structure to a three-dimensional articulated structure. The middle rotating supporting components operate in multiple dimensions, rotating about axes perpendicular to the main rotation axis, enabling the support mechanism to function within a reduced thickness envelope by utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions
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 solution reduces the thickness requirement for the middle housing while maintaining support for the flexible screen, achieving a thinner form factor without compromising structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component are separately connected to an elastic component; and when the hinge is folded, the elastic component drives the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component to downwardly rotate so as to rotate into a middle housing of the mobile terminal
Implementation Method 2
an elastic component of the left middle rotating supporting component is a torsional spring, and an elastic component of the right middle rotating supporting component is a torsional spring
Implementation Method 3
in the support position of the flexible screen, the elastic component compresses the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge and a mobile terminal having an inward-foldable flexible screen. The hinge includes a left rotating support, a right rotating support, a left middle rotating supporting component, and a right middle rotating supporting component; the left rotating support and the right rotating support are respectively provided with supporting parts for the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component during being unfolded; the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component are separately connected to an elastic component; and when the hinge is folded, the elastic component drives the left middle rotating supporting component and the right middle rotating supporting component to downwardly rotate so as to rotate into a middle housing of the mobile terminal.