Rotating Shaft Mechanism for Seamless Foldable Display Gap Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with rotating shaft mechanisms between two displays often exhibit a significant gap when the displays rotate to 180°, compromising usability and display effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a rotating shaft mechanism with an axial movement mechanism and a radial movement mechanism that allows the first and second bodies to rotate and move relative to each other, minimizing the gap between the displays and ensuring a seamless visual effect by housing the connection device under the display surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating shaft mechanism is used to connect two displays, then the displays can rotate relatively to change display forms and areas, but a relatively large gap is formed between the two displays when they rotate to 180°

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay form changing capabilityVSAvoidgap between displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is nested within the display structure by positioning it at the back of the first display, allowing the rotating shaft mechanism to operate without creating visible gaps in the display surface when rotated to 180°

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection device transitions from a two-dimensional planar connection to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by extending along the thickness direction of the display, enabling the displays to rotate while maintaining a continuous front surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connection device is positioned to allow full rotation of displays, then display versatility is improved, but the connection device may be exposed at the display surface affecting aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation rangeVSAvoidappearance continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is nested within the display assembly by positioning it at the back of the first display, allowing the rotating shaft mechanism to operate without creating visible gaps in the display surface when rotated to 180°

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate acts as an intermediary component that carries the rotating shaft mechanism and positions it away from the display surface, mediating between the rotation function and the aesthetic requirement for a continuous display surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11678448B2Electronic device and connection device

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and a connection device. The first body has a first surface. A first display device is placed at the first surface. The second body has a second surface, and a second display device is placed at the second surface. The connection device configured to rotatably connect the first body and the second body. The electronic device has a first position. At the first position, the first surface and the second surface face a same direction, and the connection device is under a display surface formed by the first surface and the second surface and not exposed at the display surface.