Ultra-thin Rotating Mechanism for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating mechanisms for electronic devices are overly complex and bulky, making them unsuitable for ultra-thin electronic products such as data cards, which require a compact and thin rotational connection.

Innovation Solution

A rotating mechanism comprising a base assembly, a rotator assembly, and a riveting gasket, where the rotator assembly is sheathed to the base assembly and restricted by a riveting gasket, allowing for axial rotation while maintaining a thin profile, utilizing elastomers with concave-convex structures for fixation and a roller for flexible rotation, resulting in a mechanism that fits within ultra-thin devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional rotating mechanism is used to connect ultra-thin data cards, then rotational connection functionality is achieved, but the mechanism becomes oversized and cannot fit within the ultra-thin device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of rotating mechanismVSAvoidrotational connection functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the rotator assembly inside the base assembly, with the rotator assembly including a rotator and elastomer that are contained within the base assembly's hollow structure. This nested configuration allows the rotating mechanism to achieve compact dimensions suitable for ultra-thin data cards while maintaining rotational functionality through the elastomer's elastic deformation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an elastomer as a flexible component that can elastically deform to enable rotation. The elastomer's flexibility allows it to accommodate rotational movement within a compact space, providing the necessary rotational connection functionality without requiring a bulky mechanical structure, thus solving the contradiction between size and functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Length of moving object

If existing rotating mechanisms are designed for rotational connection, then rotation capability is provided, but the axial thickness becomes too large for ultra-thin electronic products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial thickness of rotating mechanismVSAvoidrotational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer serves as a flexible element that enables rotation through elastic deformation rather than rigid mechanical movement. This allows the mechanism to achieve rotational functionality with minimal axial thickness, as the elastomer can deform within the confined space of the ultra-thin device without requiring additional axial room for traditional rotational components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic characteristics through the elastomer's ability to elastically deform during rotation. The elastomer dynamically adjusts its shape during rotational movement, allowing the mechanism to maintain rotational flexibility despite the constrained axial thickness. This dynamic behavior enables the ultra-thin mechanism to achieve the ease of operation needed for rotational connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If a compact rotating mechanism is designed to fit ultra-thin devices, then size is reduced, but the mechanism becomes overly simplified and lacks reliable fixation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of rotating mechanismVSAvoidfixation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining rigid components (base assembly with hollow structure, rotator) and elastic components (elastomer). This composite design allows the mechanism to maintain compact size while the interaction between rigid and elastic materials provides reliable fixation through the concave-convex structure engagement, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and fixation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a concave-convex structure on the elastomer that engages with a corresponding structure on the rotator. This localized feature provides reliable fixation and rotation control without requiring the entire mechanism to be complex or large. The localized engagement structure ensures reliability while maintaining the overall compact design suitable for ultra-thin devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a very thin and compact rotating mechanism with a small axial thickness and outer diameter, enabling it to seamlessly integrate with ultra-thin electronic devices, such as data cards, while ensuring flexible and precise rotational functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a concave-convex structure on the base assembly engages with a concave-convex structure on the elastomer to fix the rotator assembly and the base assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2402889B1Rotating mechanism and electronic device
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2402889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2402889B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP2402889B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4a

AI summary

This invention discloses a rotating mechanism and an electronic device. The rotating mechanism includes a base assembly, a rotator assembly, and a riveting gasket. The base assembly is riveted to the riveting gasket; the rotator assembly is sheathed to the base assembly, the riveting gasket restricts the rotator assembly onto the base assembly, and the rotator assembly can rotate against the base assembly around an axial direction; and the rotator assembly includes at least one elastomer, a concave-convex structure on the base assembly engages with a concave-convex structure on the elastomer to fix the rotator assembly and the base assembly. The total axial thickness of the rotating mechanism in this invention is very small, the outer diameter of the rotating mechanism is also very small, and therefore, the rotating mechanism fits in well with an ultra-thin electronic device.