Foldable Hinge Assembly With Rail Cams to Prevent Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge assemblies for foldable electronic devices face challenges in generating sufficient force while maintaining a thin thickness, often experiencing operational issues due to tilting caused by component gaps, which affects smooth folding and unfolding operations.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design incorporating a hinge bracket with pair of rail structures, hinge structures, an intermediate member, and elastic members, where the intermediate member is rotatable about a middle axis perpendicular to the hinge axes, and second cam structures interact with first cam structures to generate torque for smooth operation, reducing component count and thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a cam structure and spring are used to generate force in the hinge assembly, then sufficient force can be generated, but the thickness increases and component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cam structure and spring into a more compact integrated design where the cam structure is formed within the hinge bracket and the spring is positioned in a recess, reducing overall thickness while maintaining force generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions components in the thickness direction by forming the cam structure with a cam surface that interacts with a cam follower, and positioning the spring in a recess, effectively utilizing the thickness dimension to reduce overall assembly thickness while maintaining functional performance
2Force
If a cam structure and spring are used to generate force in the hinge assembly, then sufficient force can be generated, but the number of components increases leading to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cam structure directly into the hinge bracket as a unified component, and positions the spring within a recess of the hinge bracket, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the force generation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge bracket serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the cam structure for force generation, contains the spring in its recess, and guides the folding motion, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function
3Ease of manufacture
If gaps exist between components in the hinge assembly, then assembly is easier, but the cam structure tilts causing operational interference and smooth operation fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cam structure with a cam surface and cam follower arrangement that compensates for potential gaps through pre-loaded spring force, ensuring continuous contact and preventing tilt before operational issues arise
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the cam structure and housing, maintaining constant contact force that compensates for manufacturing gaps and prevents tilting while allowing easy 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 proposed hinge assembly effectively generates sufficient force for maintaining folded states while ensuring smooth folding and unfolding operations, reducing thickness and component count, and preventing tilting issues, thus enhancing the overall performance and usability of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member 450a or 450b configured to provide an elastic force to the intermediate member 430 in a direction in which the second cam structure 434a or 434b is pressed toward the first cam structure 424
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display including a first area, a second area, and a folding area between the first area and the second area, a first housing configured to support the first area, a second housing configured to support the second area, and a hinge assembly configured to connect the first housing and the second housing, wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge bracket including a pair of first rail structures formed to define a pair of hinge axes, a pair of hinge structures having one side connected to the first housing or the second housing and another side rotatably connected about the hinge axis along the first rail structure, and including a first cam structure. an intermediate member connected to the hinge bracket, and an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the intermediate member.