Rack-and-Pinion Hinge for Sliding Foldable Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for foldable electronic devices only allow pivotal motions, lacking the ability to enable sliding motions that would bring the display screen closer to the user for improved viewing experiences.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design incorporating a base seat, a moving platform, and a shaft unit with a rotating shaft, main gear member, and bevel gear pieces, forming a rack and pinion system that enables linear motion along the front-back direction, allowing the display screen to slide towards the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used that only enables pivotal motions, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the display screen cannot be positioned closer to the user for improved viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge transitions from a static pivotal motion mechanism to a dynamic system that combines both pivotal and sliding motions. The moving platform can pivot relative to the base seat while also sliding along the front-back direction, allowing the display screen to be positioned at multiple distances from the user for optimized viewing experiences
Solution Approach 2:
A rack and pinion system is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the pivotal motion and the sliding motion. The rack extends in the front-back direction and engages with the pinion gear, converting rotational motion into linear sliding motion of the moving platform, thereby enabling the display screen to move closer to or farther from the user
2Ease of operation
If a rack and pinion system is added to enable sliding motion, then the display screen can be positioned closer to the user, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The moving platform serves multiple functions: it pivots relative to the base seat to enable opening/closing of the device, slides along the front-back direction to adjust display distance, and carries the shaft unit with gear mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and justifies the added complexity by delivering significant operational benefits
3Ease of operation
If the moving platform is made movable along the front-back direction, then viewing angles are improved, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs a dynamic stability approach where the moving platform can slide along the front-back direction to adjust viewing angles, but the rack and pinion system provides mechanical constraints that maintain stability during operation. The engagement between the rack teeth and pinion gear ensures the platform remains positioned accurately without excessive play or instability
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
Enables a sliding motion that enhances user experience by allowing the display screen to be positioned closer to the user when the device is unfolded, providing better viewing angles and preventing accidental unfolding through a spring-loaded positioning mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The main gear member is meshed with the rack to constitute a rack and pinion system, wherein the main gear member is co-movable with the moving platform along the front-back direction
Implementation Method 2
The first bevel gear piece is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft and is meshed with the main gear member such that, during rotation of the rotating shaft relative to the moving platform, the first bevel gear piece co-rotates therewith and drives rotation of the main gear member
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge includes: a base seat that includes a rack extending in a front-back direction; a moving platform that is movable on the base seat along the front-back direction; and a shaft unit that includes a rotating shaft rotatably extending through the moving platform in a left-right direction, a main gear member rotatably extending through the moving platform, co-movable with the moving platform, and meshed with the rack to constitute a rack and pinion system, and a first bevel gear piece fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft, and meshed with the main gear member such that rotation of the rotating shaft results in collective linear front-back motion of the shaft unit and the moving platform relative to the base seat.