Internal-Gear Foldable Hinge for Collision-Free Display Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining portability and preventing display collisions due to the bulkiness and weight of existing hinge structures, which also increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hinge structure incorporating internal gears and a fixing bracket with rotary shafts, main gears, and idle gears to reduce weight, enhance assembly ease, and prevent collisions, while improving torque and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the pin structure for center bar protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hinge structure with center bar protection is used, then the display is protected from collision, but the device becomes bulkier and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate pin structure that was previously used for center bar protection. Instead, the hinge structure itself is designed to provide protection through the gear mechanism and housing integration, eliminating the need for additional protective pins and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is merged into the hinge structure itself. The first and second housings of the hinge structure provide collision prevention for the folded display without requiring a separate center bar protection mechanism, combining structural support and protection functions.
2Reliability
If a traditional hinge structure with pin structure is used, then the center bar is protected, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate pin structure for center bar protection, removing the associated manufacturing steps and assembly operations. The protective function is achieved through the hinge housing design alone, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure serves multiple functions: it provides the rotational hinge mechanism, protects the folded display from collision, and eliminates the need for separate protective pins. This multi-functionality reduces both manufacturing cost and assembly complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If the hinge structure is simplified to reduce weight, then portability improves, but torque and stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical hinge structure with a gear mechanism. The first gear on the first rotation part and second gear on the second rotation part engage to provide mechanical advantage, increasing torque output while maintaining a lightweight structure through efficient gear ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism allows for parameter optimization where the gear ratios can be adjusted to achieve the desired torque multiplication. This enables the hinge to generate sufficient force for folding and unfolding while keeping the overall structure lightweight.
4Device complexity
If the hinge structure is simplified to reduce assembly complexity, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but assembly precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into modular components: first rotation part with first gear, second rotation part with second gear, fixing bracket, and gear mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized interfaces, improving both assembly efficiency and precision through modular design.
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 solution results in a slimmer, lighter foldable electronic device with improved assembly efficiency, stable hinge operation, and reduced manufacturing costs, while preventing display collisions and enhancing torque through optimized gear ratios and cam structure design.
Implementation Method 1
a first gear on one side of the first rotation part, a second gear on one side of the second rotation part, wherein the first gear may be geared with the first main gear, and the second gear may be geared with the second main gear
Implementation Method 2
increase a torque using gear ratios, by improving a size of the cam structure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an hinge structure including: a first housing, a second housing, a hinge, and a flexible display, the hinge structure includes: a first rotation part, a second rotation part, a fixing bracket, and a structure, the structure includes a first rotary shaft, a second rotary shaft, a first main gear formed in the first rotary shaft, a second main gear formed in the second rotary shaft, and at least one idle gear disposed between the first main gear and the second main gear, and the first gear may be geared with the first main gear, and the second gar may be geared with the second main gear, and a foldable electronic device including the same.