Hovering Hinge Assembly for Stable Foldable Device Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current foldable electronic devices rely heavily on hinge assemblies for folding and unfolding, but these devices lack the ability to maintain specific target bending states, limiting their folding manner.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly with a hovering mechanism that includes a rotating assembly and a position limiting mechanism, where the first limiting part and second limiting part coordinate to restrict the rotation of the rotating assembly, maintaining the hinge assembly at a target position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hinge assembly relies only on rotation for folding and unfolding, then the device can achieve basic folding function, but the device cannot maintain specific target bending states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding mannerVSAvoidbending state maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: a rotating assembly for basic folding motion, and a hovering mechanism with position limiting members that provide discrete stopping positions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple stable bending states while preserving the fundamental folding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly transitions from a purely dynamic rotating system to a hybrid system that combines continuous rotation with discrete static positioning. The position limiting members enable the rotating assembly to dynamically move between multiple stable states, enhancing adaptability while maintaining stability at each position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the hinge assembly adds a hovering mechanism with position limiting members, then the device can maintain target bending states, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending state maintenanceVSAvoidhinge assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hovering mechanism is merged with the rotating assembly such that the position limiting members are integrated into the existing rotational structure. The first and second position limiting members cooperate with each other within the same rotational path, combining the hovering and rotating functions into a unified mechanism rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The position limiting members serve multiple functions: they limit the rotation angle to specific values, provide stable positioning at target bending states, and work cooperatively within the single rotational movement of the rotating assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4134780B1Hinge assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4134780B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4134780B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4134780B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a hinge assembly (100) and an electronic device. The hinge assembly (100) includes: a rotating assembly (1), wherein the rotating assembly (1) comprises a first rotating part(11), and the first rotating part (11) comprises a first guide groove (111) extending obliquely around an axial direction of the first rotating part (11); a hovering mechanism (2), wherein the hovering mechanism (2) comprises a sliding member (21) and a position limiting member (22), the sliding member (21) comprises a protruding part (211), the protruding part (211) extends into the first guide groove (111), one of the position limiting member (22) and the sliding member (21) comprises a first limiting part (221), the other of the position limiting member (22) and the sliding member (21) comprises a second limiting part (212) cooperated with the first limiting part (221).