Rotating Module Damping Structure for Foldable Hover Hinges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current rotating modules in foldable electronic devices lack a damping sense during rotation, only allowing for locking in unfolded or folded states without intermediate hovering positions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a damping member with elastic properties, such as springs or elastic pieces, that generates a damping force between rotating members, enabling stable hovering at various positions between unfolded and folded states through friction and elastic deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rotating module without damping member is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the rotating member cannot hover at intermediate positions and only has locking functions for opening and closing positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehovering function at intermediate positionsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A damping member is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotating member and the support. This damping member includes a damping element that generates damping force during rotation, enabling the rotating member to hover at intermediate positions. The damping member acts as a mediator that provides the necessary damping effect without requiring complex mechanical structures or additional actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member changes the dynamic parameters of the rotating system by introducing damping force. The damping element (such as a damper or damping material) alters the motion characteristics of the rotating member, enabling it to maintain intermediate positions through friction and damping effects rather than requiring precise mechanical locking at every position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a damping member is added to enable hovering at intermediate positions, then the hovering function is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of rotating member at intermediate positionsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member serves as a compact intermediary component that integrates multiple functions: it provides damping force, enables hovering at intermediate positions, and maintains structural stability. By using a single damping member with a damping element rather than multiple separate mechanisms, the solution achieves reliable hovering functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides damping during rotation, enables the rotating member to hover at intermediate positions, and maintains stability throughout the rotation range. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a damping member with elastic properties is used, then damping force is generated for stable hovering, but the device occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping force stabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by damping member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is nested within or integrated into the damping member structure, which itself is integrated with the rotating module. This nested arrangement allows the damping component to occupy minimal space within the existing structural envelope of the rotating module, rather than requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member utilizes flexible damping elements (such as elastic materials or thin-film dampers) that can provide sufficient damping force while occupying minimal volume. These flexible components can be configured in space-efficient geometries that deliver the required damping performance without significantly increasing the overall volume of the rotating module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 damping member provides a stable damping force, allowing the rotating members to hover at multiple positions, enhancing user experience and meeting the requirements of large-screen electronic devices with flexible damping force adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

a damping member (140); a first end (141) of the damping member (140) is fixed to the support (130), a second end of the damping member (140) is in contact with the rotating member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

force interaction is generated between the first and second rotating members and the damping member during the relative rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4064657B1Rotating module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4064657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064657B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064657B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a rotating module and an electronic device. The rotating module includes a support (130), a rotating member, and an elastic damping member (140). The rotating member includes a first rotating member (110) and a second rotating member (120), the first rotating member (110) and the second rotating member (120) are connected to the support (130) respectively. A first end of the damping member (140) is fixed to the support (130). A second end of the damping member (140) is in contact with the rotating member to provide the first rotating member (110) and the second rotating member (120) with a damping force for relative rotation of the first rotating member (110) and the second rotating member (120). The second end is an opposite end of the first end. The support (130) is disposed between the rotating member and the damping member (140).