Gear-Interlocking Hinge Module for Stable Foldable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ensuring mechanical stability while enabling structures in foldable or rollable electronic devices to relatively move (e.g., slide, rotate, or pivot) while maintaining portability, miniaturization, and reducing weight and thickness is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A hinge module with a gear interlocking structure that pivotably couples housings, featuring internal gears and gear shafts with rotation supporting holes, allowing for stable folding and unfolding operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable or rollable structure is implemented to improve portability and reduce size, then the electronic device becomes more portable and compact, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module employs a dynamic gear interlocking mechanism where gear shafts and internal gears engage to provide controlled movement between housings. The gears transition between meshed and disengaged states, enabling the device to dynamically adjust between folded and unfolded configurations while maintaining structural integrity during transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate housings connected by the hinge module, allowing independent movement of each housing. The hinge module itself is segmented into multiple components (first housing, second housing, gear shafts, internal gears) that work together to achieve both portability and stability
2Weight of moving object
If miniaturization is pursued to reduce weight and thickness for improved portability, then the electronic device becomes lighter and thinner, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module uses a composite structure combining multiple materials and components: housings, gear shafts, internal gears, and rotation supporting holes. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing the necessary mechanical strength despite reduced overall size
Solution Approach 2:
The gear shafts are rotatably mounted within the hinge bracket, and internal gears are positioned within the gear shafts, creating a nested arrangement. This nesting allows compact packaging of mechanical components, maintaining strength while minimizing the overall footprint and weight of the hinge assembly
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 hinge module ensures stable operation and maintains the unfolded state at a predetermined angle, facilitating compact design and mechanical strength while reducing gear size, thus enhancing portability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotation bracket including a first internal gear and pivotably mounted to the hinge bracket, a second rotation bracket including a second internal gear and pivotably mounted to the hinge bracket, a first gear shaft rotatably mounted in the hinge bracket, wherein a portion of the first gear shaft is meshed with the first internal gear, and a second gear shaft rotatably mounted in the hinge bracket, wherein a portion of the second gear shaft is meshed with the second internal gear
Data Source
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AI summary
According to various embodiments disclosed in the present document, an electronic device comprises a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge module that rotatably couples the first housing and the second housing, wherein the hinge module comprises a hinge bracket and a first internal gear, comprises a first rotary bracket and a second internal gear rotatably mounted on the hinge bracket, and comprises a second rotary bracket rotatably mounted on the hinge bracket, a first gear shaft which is rotatably mounted in the hinge bracket and of which a portion is geared with the first internal gear, and a second gear shaft which is rotatably mounted in the hinge bracket, and of which a portion is geared with the second internal gear, and the first gear shaft and the second gear shaft can include a rotation supporting hole formed on at least one end thereof so as to be rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket. Various other embodiments are possible.