Synchronized Hinge Mechanism for Uniform Foldable Display Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge mechanisms for foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining structural reliability and stability, particularly in ensuring uniform stress distribution on flexible displays during folding and unfolding, which can lead to deformation or damage.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism featuring a synchronization assembly with gear assemblies and connecting rods that synchronizes the movement of swing arms around a main shaft, ensuring precise and coordinated rotation, and a compact design with sliding connectors to maintain stability and reduce thickness, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hinge mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the stress distribution on the flexible display is uneven causing deformation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: first swing arm, second swing arm, first gear assembly, and second gear assembly. Each component performs a specific function, allowing precise control over the folding motion to ensure uniform stress distribution on the flexible display.
Solution Approach 2:
Gear assemblies are introduced as intermediary components between the swing arms and the flexible display. These gears synchronize the movement of the swing arms, ensuring that both sides of the flexible display fold at the same rate, thereby preventing deformation and improving structural reliability.
2Length of moving object
If the axis of the gear coincides with the rotation axis of the swing arm, then the transmission is direct, but the hinge mechanism thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear axes are positioned parallel to but not coinciding with the swing arm rotation axes, creating a spatial offset in a different dimension. This allows the connecting rods to transmit motion at an angle, reducing the overall thickness of the hinge mechanism while maintaining effective force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Connecting rods serve as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between the gear assemblies and swing arms. These rods translate the rotational motion from the gears into synchronized swinging motion, enabling the non-coincident axis configuration to function effectively.
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 proposed hinge mechanism improves the structural reliability of foldable electronic devices by ensuring uniform stress distribution and preventing deformation of the flexible display, while maintaining a lightweight and compact design, thus extending the device's lifespan and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a gear surface of the second gear is engaged with a gear surface of the first gear, the first gear assembly rotates clockwise to drive the second gear assembly to synchronously rotate counter-clockwise
Implementation Method 2
the first connecting rod is slidably connected to the first connection part, the second connecting rod is slidably connected to the second connection part
Implementation Method 3
the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first swing arm, the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the second swing arm
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge mechanism includes a main shaft, a synchronization assembly, and two swing arms, where the two swing arms are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the main shaft, and the two swing arms are rotatably connected to the main shaft. In addition, along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, the synchronization assembly is located between the two swing arms. The synchronization assembly includes two gear assemblies. Each gear assembly includes a gear member and a connecting rod. The gear member includes a gear and a connection part. Gear surfaces of the gears of the two gear assemblies are engaged with each other, and the two gears are located between two connection parts. Each connecting rod is located between one connection part and one swing arm, and each connecting rod is slidably connected to the connection part and is rotatably connected to the swing arm.