Rotary Mechanism With Multistable Locking for Thin Foldable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic devices face challenges in achieving a thin design due to the presence of a locking member that increases the thickness of the rotary mechanism's base, which is not conducive to structural rationalization.
Innovation Solution
A rotary mechanism with a multistable flexible mechanism, including compliant bistable units, is integrated into the electronic device to optimize the structural layout, allowing for a thin design by saving space at the base and enabling folding, unfolding, and intermediate hovering states without friction or wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking member is fixed to the base of the rotary mechanism, then the electronic device can maintain stable folded and unfolded states, but the thickness of the base increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is relocated from the base to the swing arm, changing the spatial dimension of mounting. This allows the base thickness to be reduced while the locking function is preserved through the multistable flexible mechanism integrated into the swing arm structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A multistable flexible mechanism is used instead of traditional rigid locking members. The flexible mechanism includes compliant bistable units that can switch between stable states to lock the swing arm at different angles, enabling thin base design while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a locking member is fixed to the base, then damping force can be provided for maintaining states, but the structure becomes thicker and less rational
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function and damping function are merged into a single multistable flexible mechanism integrated into the swing arm. This eliminates the need for separate locking members on the base, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining both state maintenance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The multistable flexible mechanism provides self-locking capability through its inherent bistable design. The mechanism automatically maintains stable states without requiring additional damping components, enabling the structure to serve itself for state maintenance.
3Reliability
If the base thickness is increased to accommodate locking members, then state stability is improved, but the electronic device cannot achieve thin design
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is moved from the base dimension to the swing arm dimension, allowing the base to remain thin while the locking function is achieved through the swing arm's multistable flexible mechanism. This dimensional relocation enables thin device design without sacrificing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base thickness parameter is reduced by changing the mounting location of the locking mechanism. The multistable flexible mechanism compensates for the reduced base thickness by providing inherent stability through its compliant bistable structure, allowing parameter optimization for thin 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 multistable flexible mechanism enhances the device's structural layout, facilitating a thin design while improving reliability and service life by reducing friction and wear, and enabling smooth transitions between folded and unfolded states.
Implementation Method 1
the first multistable flexible mechanism being disposed on the first connecting plate, and configured to lock the rotary mechanism in the folded state and the unfolded state
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed are a rotary mechanism and an electronic device. The rotary mechanism includes a base, a first swing arm, a first connecting plate, and a first multistable flexible mechanism. Both the first swing arm and the first connecting plate are hinged to one side of the base. The first multistable flexible mechanism is disposed on the first connecting plate, and the first multistable flexible mechanism cooperates with the first swing arm to switch between a first stable state and a second stable state. In the unfolded state of the rotary mechanism, the first multistable flexible mechanism is in the first stable state, so as to lock the first swing arm at a first locking position of the first swing arm with respect to the first connecting plate. In the folded state of the rotary mechanism, the first multistable flexible mechanism is in the second stable state, so as to lock the first swing arm at a second locking position of the first swing arm with respect to the first connecting plate.