Link Hinge Structure With Modular Shafts for Impact-Resistant Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining portability and durability due to the potential for damage from impacts on hinge structures, which often involve complex gear mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A link hinge structure comprising interlocking gear bars and support bars connected by fixing and connection shafts, with rail bosses and shaft insertion holes, designed to enhance robustness and ease of manufacturing and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex gear mechanisms are used in hinge structures, then the device can achieve multi-angle rotation and folding functionality, but the vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple independent support bars (first support bar, second support bar, third support bar, fourth support bar) that can rotate independently around fixed shafts. This segmentation allows each bar to absorb impact independently rather than transmitting force through the entire gear mechanism, thereby improving impact resistance while maintaining folding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional gear mechanisms where gears mesh together to transmit rotation, this patent inverts the approach by using fixed shafts that support independent rotation of support bars. The interlocking gear structures are replaced with a system where the first and second support bars connect to the first rotary bar, and the third and fourth support bars connect to the second rotary bar, creating a more impact-resistant configuration.
2Strength
If multiple interlocking gear bars and support bars are used, then the hinge structure becomes more robust, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support bars (first, second, third, and fourth support bars) with fixed shafts (first, second, third, and fourth fixing shafts) to create an integrated hinge structure. The interlocking gear bars are merged with the support bar system, where the first interlocking gear bar and second interlocking gear bar are coupled to the first rotary bar, and the third interlocking gear bar and fourth interlocking gear bar are coupled to the second rotary bar. This merging achieves robustness while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinge structures with multiple gears are used, then folding functionality is achieved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is segmented into distinct modular components including fixed shafts, support bars, interlocking gear bars, and connection shafts. Each component can be independently accessed and replaced. For example, if a connection shaft becomes worn, only that specific shaft needs to be removed and replaced without disassembling the entire hinge mechanism, significantly improving repairability while maintaining folding capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge structure may include at least some of: a first rotary bar, a second rotary bar, a first interlocking gear bar and a second interlocking gear bar, a first support bar and a second support bar, a third interlocking gear bar and a fourth interlocking gear bar, a third support bar and a fourth support bar, a first fixing shaft, a second fixing shaft, a third fixing shaft, a fourth fixing shaft, a first connection shaft, a second connection shaft, a third connection shaft, and a fourth connection shaft, wherein each of the third fixing shaft and the fourth fixing shaft may include a column part, and rail bosses protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the column part, and each of the first interlocking gear bar and the second interlocking gear bar may include a first shaft insertion hole for insertion of the third fixing shaft, and a first hole extension part extending from the first shaft, and into which a first rail boss formed in the third fixing shaft is to be inserted.