Hinge Structure Load Distribution for Foldable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge structures in foldable electronic devices face durability issues due to concentrated load application during opening and closing, leading to potential mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure featuring a hinge pin with protrusion and recess portions that distribute load across multiple surfaces, allowing for improved durability by engaging first and second surface portions to absorb and redirect torque during pivoting, with asymmetric protrusion designs for balanced load distribution and enhanced strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinge structure is used to connect housings, then the device can be folded and opened, but the durability is reduced due to concentrated load application during opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin is divided into multiple functional segments: a first member, a second member with a protrusion portion, and a hinge pin reception portion with a recess portion. This segmentation allows different parts to bear different loads, distributing the mechanical stress across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it at a single point, thereby improving durability
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portion has an asymmetric design with a first surface portion extending in a radial direction and engaging with a second surface portion in the recess. This asymmetric geometry is specifically designed to distribute load during pivot operations, with the surface portions positioned to handle loads from different rotation directions (right and left rotation abutment surfaces), improving overall structural strength
2Ease of operation
If the hinge pin allows free pivoting, then the device can open and close smoothly, but unwanted pivot occurs reducing mechanical integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure implements dynamic constraints through the engagement between the protrusion portion's first surface portion and the recess portion's second surface portion. This engagement allows controlled pivoting motion while dynamically suppressing unwanted pivot in other directions, maintaining mechanical integrity during operation. The first member and second member are arranged to be pivotable with respect to each other within defined limits
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portion acts as an intermediary element between the first member and the recess portion. It mediates the interaction by providing controlled contact surfaces (first and second surface portions) that enable smooth pivoting while preventing excessive or unwanted motion, thus maintaining mechanical integrity without compromising operational smoothness
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary embodiment provides a hinge structure (100) capable of achieving improved durability. The hinge structure (100) includes a hinge pin (110) having a first member (111) and a second member (112) having one end surface (112a) and the other end surface (112b) provided at a distance from each other in an axial direction A, having a protrusion portion (113) provided to protrude from one end surface (112a) in the axial direction (A), arranged to be opposed to the first member (111) at the other end surface (112b), and being pivotable with respect to the first member (111), and a hinge pin reception portion (120) having a recess portion (121) fitting to a part of the second member (112) and the protrusion portion (113) of the hinge pin (110). The protrusion portion (113) has a first surface portion (114) extending in a radial direction (B) of the second member (112). The recess portion (121) has a second surface portion (122) which can be engaged with the first surface portion (114).