Interlocking Hinge Module for Thin Foldable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of electronic devices is hindered by the mechanical structure required for foldable or rollable displays, which limits screen size and battery capacity, compromising user convenience and portability.
Innovation Solution
A hinge module that allows for the deformation of electronic devices by using a combination of rotatable hinge plates, a rotation plate, and interlocking assemblies, enabling the device to be folded or unfolded while minimizing space, thus allowing for a larger screen and improved portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a mechanical structure (hinge or roller) is added to enable folding or rolling display, then portability and thickness reduction are improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase, limiting screen size and battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module is divided into multiple independent components: first hinge plate, second hinge plate, rotation plate, first interlocking assembly, and second interlocking assembly. Each component has a specific function and can be manufactured separately, then assembled together. This segmentation allows for optimized design of each part while maintaining the overall folding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge plates and interlocking assemblies are designed to nest within each other when the device is in folded or unfolded states. The rotation plate rotates around an axis perpendicular to the hinge plates, allowing compact nesting of components that minimizes the overall space occupation and reduces device thickness.
2Weight of moving object
If device is miniaturized to improve portability, then thickness and weight are reduced, but screen size and battery capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module enables dynamic transformation between folded and unfolded states through the rotation plate rotating around its axis. This dynamic mechanism allows the display area to expand when unfolded while maintaining a compact form when folded, effectively increasing screen area without proportionally increasing device weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hinge structure is added to enable folding, then portability is improved, but space for components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation plate rotates around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plates, utilizing a different dimensional orientation. This perpendicular rotation allows the folding mechanism to occupy space in a different dimension, efficiently using available volume while enabling folding capability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device includes: a first housing and a second housing configured to rotate with respect to each other between a first position at which the first housing and the second housing are disposed to face each other and a second position at which the first housing and the second housing are unfolded from the first position at a specified angle with respect to each other, and a hinge module including a hinge disposed between the first housing and the second housing and configured to couple the first housing and the second housing to be rotatable to each other. The hinge module includes: a first hinge plate coupled with the first housing and disposed to be rotatable around a first rotation axis, a second hinge plate coupled with the second housing and disposed to be rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, a rotation plate disposed to be rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, a first interlocking assembly including at least one of a slider, a link or a connection pin configured to couple the first hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other, and a second interlocking assembly including at least one of a slider, a link or a connection pin configured to couple the second hinge plate and the rotation plate to each other. As the first housing and the second housing rotate, the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are configured to be interlocked with each other by the rotation plate, the first interlocking assembly, and the second interlocking assembly to rotate between the first position and the second position.