Worm-Drive Rotating Shaft for Hidden Inward-Folding Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of rotating shafts in electronic devices limits the achievement of an ultra-narrow bezel and inward folding form simultaneously, as the shaft is exposed when the device is unfolded, compromising user experience and screen protection.
Innovation Solution
A rotating shaft with symmetric axle structures, including a worm drive mechanism, allows for the screen to fold inward by enabling the screen brackets to move radially and axially, keeping the shaft hidden and maintaining a fixed distance between brackets during folding, thus allowing for an ultra-narrow bezel and inward folding without exposing the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rotating shaft is designed to connect two screen-brackets, then the screen can be folded, but the rotating shaft becomes exposed and higher than the screen in unfolded state
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft is nested within the screen-bracket structure. The supporting bracket is sleeved on the axle and rotates around it, while the motion conversion structure and screen-bracket connection structure are integrated into the shaft assembly. This nesting allows the shaft to be hidden within the bracket structure, eliminating the exposed shaft problem while maintaining folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces radial movement capability in addition to the traditional rotational movement. The screen-bracket connection structure can move both radially and axially relative to the supporting bracket, allowing the screen to fold in a manner that keeps the rotating shaft hidden within the device profile, achieving ultra-narrow bezel while maintaining folding function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the screen is folded outward to protect it, then screen protection is achieved, but ultra-narrow bezel and inward folding form cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic folding mechanism where the screen-bracket connection structure can move radially and axially during the folding process. This dynamic movement allows the screen to be folded inward while maintaining protection, and enables the rotating shaft to remain hidden throughout the folding range, achieving both ultra-narrow bezel and screen protection.
3Device complexity
If the screen-bracket connection structure is rigidly connected to the supporting bracket, then structure is simple, but the screen cannot fold inward while maintaining ultra-narrow bezel
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the screen-bracket connection structure and supporting bracket is segmented into multiple degrees of freedom. The screen-bracket connection structure can move radially along the supporting bracket and also move axially, creating a multi-stage motion mechanism that enables inward folding while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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
This solution enables a seamless folding mechanism that keeps the rotating shaft hidden, maintains a narrow bezel, and ensures screen protection across various folding states, enhancing user experience and device aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
The motion conversion structure cooperates with the worm groove to form a worm drive
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating shaft configured to connect two screen-brackets includes two axle structures arranged symmetrically. One of the two axle structures includes an axle, a motion conversion structure, a screen bracket connection structure, and a supporting bracket. The axle includes a worm groove at a surface of the axle. The motion conversion structure cooperates with the worm groove to form a worm drive. The screen bracket connection structure is movably connected to the motion conversion structure and includes mounting holes, which are configured to mount the screen-brackets. The supporting bracket is sleeved at the axle, rotates around an axis of the axle, and is movably connected to the motion conversion structure and the screen bracket connection structure. The motion conversion structure is movable along an axis direction of the axle on a first surface relative to the supporting bracket.