Folding Mechanism Layout for Flexible Display Bend Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding mechanisms in foldable electronic devices often lead to damage and poor reliability of flexible displays due to improper settings, causing the bendable areas to deteriorate over time.
Innovation Solution
A folding mechanism with a main shaft, fastening brackets, movable members, support plates, and elastic members that form a support surface in the unfolded state and compress to increase the screen accommodating space in the folded state, reducing bending stress on the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the folding mechanism is in a folded state with conventional design, then the device is compact and portable, but the flexible display is prone to damage due to insufficient deformation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by tilting the support plates relative to the folding direction. The support plates are arranged at an angle (α) with respect to the direction parallel to the folding direction, creating a three-dimensional screen accommodating space. This dimensional change allows the flexible display to deform in multiple directions simultaneously, increasing deformation space without compromising device compactness when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the support plates are positioned within the folding mechanism's housing, and the flexible display is nested within the screen accommodating space formed by the support plates. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, maintaining device compactness while providing sufficient deformation space for the flexible display during folding operations.
2Device complexity
If the support plates are positioned parallel to the folding direction, then the structure is simple, but the bending stress on the flexible display is concentrated and causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the support plates, where the support plates are tilted at an angle (α) relative to the folding direction rather than being symmetrically parallel. This asymmetric arrangement distributes the bending stress more evenly across the flexible display's bendable area, preventing stress concentration while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plates are pre-positioned at an optimized angle (α) before the folding operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that during the folding process, the flexible display is guided into a deformation path that distributes stress evenly, preventing stress concentration before it can occur.
3Volume of moving object
If the screen accommodating space is small in folded state, then the device is more compact, but the flexible display has insufficient free deformation space leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing three-dimensional space through tilted support plates. The screen accommodating space is formed by support plates positioned at an angle (α) to the folding direction, creating a volumetric space rather than a flat two-dimensional space. This allows sufficient deformation length for the flexible display while maintaining compact folded volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities where the support plates can change their positioning or angle during the folding process. This dynamic behavior allows the screen accommodating space to expand when needed for display deformation and contract when compactness is required, resolving the contradiction between volume and deformation space.
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
Enhances the reliability of flexible displays by minimizing damage and maintaining a larger free deformation space, ensuring the display is not prone to failure even in unconventional environments like falls or impacts, while improving space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The first elastic member connects the first support plate and the first fastening bracket, the first elastic member is in a compressed state
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a folding mechanism and an electronic device. The folding mechanism includes a main shaft, a first fastening bracket, a second fastening bracket, a first movable member, a second movable member, a first support plate, a second support plate, and a first elastic member. The first movable member connects the main shaft and the first fastening bracket, and the second movable member connects the main shaft and the second fastening bracket. The first support plate connects the first fastening bracket and the first movable member, and the second support plate connects the second fastening bracket and the second movable member. The first elastic member connects the first support plate and the first fastening bracket, and the first elastic member is in a compressed state. A first point of application of force is located on a side that is of a first rotation axis and that is away from the main shaft. When the folding mechanism is in a folded state, a first included angle formed between a first support surface and a connection line between the first point of application of force and a second point of application of force in a first direction is an acute angle. An end part that is of the first support plate and that is close to the main shaft expands in a direction away from the second support plate. A screen accommodating space enclosed by the first support plate, the main shaft, and the second support plate increases.