Shaftless Foldable Hinge Mechanism With Curved Sliding Sections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge mechanisms for foldable electronic devices are complex and costly due to the need for substantial shafts, which complicates manufacturing and affects the appearance consistency when the device is unfolded or folded.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism that eliminates the use of shafts by employing a central plate with curved sections and pivoting elements with sliding grooves and protruding blocks, allowing panels to pivot based on the appearance of the mechanism, thereby enabling miniaturization and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms use substantial shafts to enable panel rotation, then the rotation function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the substantial shaft from the hinge mechanism, extracting only the essential rotational function. The curved guiding portions and curved blocks work together to enable panel rotation without requiring a traditional shaft component, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the core rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved guiding portions and curved blocks as intermediary elements that mediate the rotation between panels. These curved components guide the motion and enable rotation through their geometric shape rather than through a traditional shaft, achieving the rotational function through a different mechanical approach.
2Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms use substantial shafts, then rotation is enabled, but the connection area between panels is occupied and appearance consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The substantial shaft is completely removed from the design, freeing up the connection area between panels. The rotational function is achieved through distributed curved guiding portions and curved blocks that occupy minimal space, allowing the connection area to remain open and maintaining appearance consistency across folded and unfolded states.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms use multiple curved grooves, rails, and protrusions, then the rotation function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (curved grooves, rails, and protrusions) into integrated curved guiding portions and curved blocks. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the rotational function.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved guiding portions and curved blocks serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the motion, enable rotation, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing the overall part count and manufacturing cost.
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 allows for a more compact and cost-effective hinge mechanism that maintains appearance consistency across unfolded and folded states without the need for substantial shafts, enhancing the design and manufacturing efficiency of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one first arc arm has a first concave surface slidably contacting with the first outer surface, the at least one first protruding block has a first convex surface slidably contacting with the first inner surface
Implementation Method 2
The at least one second arc arm has a second concave surface slidably contacting with the second outer surface, the at least one second protruding block has a second convex surface slidably contacting with the second inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge mechanism being used for a foldable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device comprises a first panel body and a second panel body, which are pivotable with respect to each other The hinge mechanism comprises a central plate, a first pivoting element and a second pivoting element. The central plate comprises a first curved section and a second curved section. The first pivoting element is fixed to the first panel body and grips the first curved section. The second pivoting element is fixed to the second panel body and grips the second curved section. When the first pivoting element and the second pivoting element switch between a retracted position and a stretched position, the first panel body and the second panel body change between an unfolded status and a folded status correspondingly.