Four-Plate Rotary Shaft Structure for Low-Gap Flexible Hinges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotary shaft kits in flexible electronic devices have complex structures with increased accumulated gaps, leading to reduced quality and precision due to assembly tolerances and size chain issues, which affect the surface effect and flushness of flexible screens.

Innovation Solution

A four-plate rotary shaft kit with a simple structure formed by two rotating plates and two fixing plates, allowing for multiple-angle rotation through synchronized mechanisms, reducing component gaps and improving stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional rotary shaft kit structure is used, then the rotation function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and accumulated gaps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidaccumulated gaps
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary shaft kit is divided into multiple functional modules: rotating assembly (with rotating plate and rotating member), housing assembly (with housing and bracket), and rotatory shaft assembly. Each module is independently designed and assembled, which simplifies the overall structure while reducing accumulated gaps through precise modular interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If more components are used to achieve rotation, then the rotation range is improved, but the size chain increases and quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rangeVSAvoidquality and precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating member is rotatably connected within the rotating plate, which is itself connected to the bracket. This nested arrangement allows multiple rotation degrees of freedom while minimizing the overall size chain and reducing the number of external components needed, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If the structure is simplified, then the accumulated gaps are reduced, but the rotation stability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccumulated gapsVSAvoidrotation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating member and rotating plate are combined into an integrated rotating assembly that rotates synchronously as a unified structure. This merging ensures stable rotation while reducing the number of interfaces and accumulated gaps compared to separate component designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4145808B1Rotary shaft kit and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4145808B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4145808B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4145808B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A rotary shaft kit (1), comprising: a rotary shaft assembly (10), the rotary shaft assembly (10) comprising a protective housing (11), and a first support (12) provided on the protective housing (11), and a first accommodating space (13) being formed inside the first support (12); rotating assemblies (20) on two opposite sides of the rotary shaft assembly (10), each rotating assembly (20) comprising a rotating plate (21), and a first rotating member (22) and a second rotating member (23) provided on two opposite ends of the rotating plate (21) and connected to the rotating plate (21), and at least part of each first rotating member (22) being located inside the first accommodating space (13) and capable of rotating with respect to the first support (12); and housing assemblies (30) provided on two opposite sides of the rotary shaft assembly (10), each housing assembly (30) comprising a second support (32) and a fixed plate (31) which are connected to each other, a second accommodating space (33) being formed inside the second support (32), and at least part of each second rotating member (23) being located inside the second accommodating space (33) and capable of rotating with respect to the second support (32). A four-plate rotary shaft kit structure is formed by the rotating plates (21) and the fixed plates (31), and the rotary shaft kit (1) can implement rotation by means of cooperation between the first rotating members (22) and the first support (12) and cooperation between the second rotating members (23) and the second supports (32). Also provided is an electronic device (3).