Variable Length Hinge Assembly for Foldable Mobile Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile terminals face challenges in smoothly changing their state due to rigid structural components, which limits their functionality and user experience, especially as they incorporate more features like flexible displays and camera functionality.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring a hinge assembly with a variable length that allows the device to transition between states, using a main hinge and parallel hinges to guide the folding angle and maintain specific positions, along with a controller to activate or deactivate displays and cameras based on the device's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid hinge structure is used to connect the first and second bodies, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to smoothly change states is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates a sliding mechanism that allows the hinge length to dynamically adjust during the state transition process. The sliding portion moves relative to the fixed portion, enabling the hinge to adapt its length based on the folding angle, thus achieving smooth state changes while maintaining structural strength through the rigid connection of main blocks and support surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If the hinge assembly has a fixed length, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different states is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly's length parameter is made variable through the sliding mechanism. The sliding portion can move along the folding angle guide, changing the effective hinge length to adapt to different folding states. This allows the same hinge assembly to maintain manufacturing precision for each state while adapting to multiple configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is divided into a fixed portion and a sliding portion, allowing independent optimization of each segment. The fixed portion maintains structural precision, while the sliding portion provides adaptability through controlled movement, resolving the contradiction between precision and versatility.
3Ease of operation
If a variable length hinge assembly is used to enable smooth state changes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding portion acts as an intermediary element between the fixed hinge structure and the folding bodies. It mediates the transition by providing a controlled sliding movement that enables smooth state changes without requiring complex mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal having a body including a first body and a second body, a display positioned on one surfaces of the first and second bodies and commonly overlapping the first and second bodies, and a hinge assembly positioned between the first and second bodies and connecting the first and second bodies is provided. At least a partial structure of the hinge assembly slidingly moves with respect to another structure of the hinge assembly so that a position of the first and second bodies is changed from a first state in which the first and second bodies are disposed on the same plane to a second state in which one of the first and second bodies is folded on the other. The mobile terminal can smoothly change a state of the body of the mobile terminal using the hinge assembly that slidingly moves and has a variable length.