Foldable Screen Rotating Mechanism for Thin Hinge Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminals with foldable screens face challenges in compact design due to the need for large downward shifts of internal components to avoid a bent screen, which complicates overall lightening and thinning of the device.
Innovation Solution
A rotating mechanism with a shaft cover and folding assemblies, including a connection plate, swing arms, and a transmission assembly, allows for a large downward shift of the screen in a small space by reducing the distance between the connection plate and the shaft cover, facilitating a smaller overall volume and fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large quantity of parts inside the terminal are shifted downward to avoid a bent screen, then the screen can be avoided, but the volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional linear downward shifting motion into a rotational motion around a shaft cover. The connection plate rotates from an unfolded position (screen exposed) to a folded position (screen avoided), utilizing angular displacement instead of linear displacement. This dimensional change allows achieving the same screen avoidance function with reduced space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection plate is designed to rotate within the space defined by the shaft cover, effectively nesting the rotational mechanism inside the terminal's existing structure. The swing arms and connection plate occupy minimal space by utilizing the internal volume of the shaft cover, rather than requiring additional external space for downward shifting.
2Reliability
If the connection plate is stretched and deformed to move away from the shaft cover, then the screen can be supported in unfolded state, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection plate is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically change shape during rotation. The plate stretches and deforms elastically to accommodate the rotational motion and support the screen in different states (unfolded and folded). This dynamic behavior replaces the need for complex mechanical support structures, achieving screen support through the plate's inherent elasticity and geometric configuration.
3Productivity
If the first swing arm and second swing arm rotate in reverse directions, then the connection plate can be stretched and deformed efficiently, but the transmission mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission assembly integrates multiple functions into a compact structure. The first and second swing arms are connected through a shared transmission mechanism that simultaneously drives both arms to rotate in reverse directions. This merging of drive functions into a single transmission assembly reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure, despite achieving coordinated bidirectional rotation.
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
Enables a significant downward shift of the screen while maintaining a compact design, enhancing the lightening and thinning of the terminal, and improving user experience by avoiding recesses and ensuring screen flatness.
Implementation Method 1
the connection plate is stretched and deformed in a first direction... in a process in which the first swing arm and the second swing arm rotate from the folded position to the unfolded position, the connection plate is stretched and deformed, and moves in a direction away from the shaft cover
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a rotating mechanism, a support apparatus, and a terminal with a foldable screen, and relates to the technical field of terminals with a foldable screen. A problem that a rotating part with a large volume affects lightening and thinning of an existing terminal with a foldable screen is resolved. The rotating mechanism includes a shaft cover, a connection plate, a first swing arm, a second swing arm, and a transmission assembly. The connection plate is used for lamination to a part of a foldable screen, and can be stretched and deformed. The first swing arm is disposed on the first side of the connection plate, and is separately rotatably connected to the connection plate and the shaft cover. The second swing arm is disposed on the second side of the connection plate, and is separately rotatably connected to the connection plate and the shaft cover. The transmission assembly is in a transmission connection to the first swing arm and the second swing arm, so that the first swing arm and the second swing arm rotate between a folded position and an unfolded position. When the first swing arm and the second swing arm rotate from the folded position to the unfolded position, the connection plate moves in a direction away from the shaft cover; and when the first swing arm and the second swing arm rotate from the unfolded position to the folded position, the connection plate moves in a direction close to the shaft cover.