Arc-Groove Foldable Hinge for Low-Stretch Flexible Screens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable display devices experience significant stretching of flexible screens during folding due to hinges that do not match the screen's size, leading to reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A foldable hinge design featuring a first support plate with arc-shaped grooves and rotating mechanisms, including arc-shaped arms that slide within these grooves, ensuring the hinge matches the screen's size and preventing excessive stretching during folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinge is used for foldable display devices, then the folding function is achieved, but the flexible screen is greatly stretched during the folding process, reducing its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arc-shaped grooves and arc-shaped arms with matching radii of curvature to guide the folding motion. The arc-shaped groove is formed by the cooperative relationship between the first support plate and the second support plate, while the arc-shaped arm has a radius of curvature that matches the arc-shaped groove, ensuring smooth curved motion path that prevents stretching of the flexible screen during folding and unfolding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hinge components, specifically designing the arc-shaped groove and arc-shaped arm with matched radii of curvature. This parameter matching ensures that the hinge follows the natural curvature of the flexible screen during folding, preventing excessive stretching and maintaining screen integrity throughout the folding cycle
2Device complexity
If the hinge size does not match the flexible screen size, then the folding mechanism can be simplified, but the flexible screen experiences excessive stretching during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arc-shaped grooves and arc-shaped arms with matching radii of curvature to guide the folding motion. The arc-shaped groove is formed by the cooperative relationship between the first support plate and the second support plate, while the arc-shaped arm has a radius of curvature that matches the arc-shaped groove, ensuring smooth curved motion path that prevents stretching of the flexible screen during folding and unfolding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped arm acts as an intermediary component between the first support plate and the second support plate. It slides within the arc-shaped groove formed by the two support plates, mediating the folding motion and ensuring that the flexible screen follows a curved path that matches its natural bending characteristics, thereby preventing excessive stretching
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides foldable hinge and a foldable display device. The foldable hinge includes a first support plate, wherein the first support plate is provided with at least two opposite arc-shaped grooves; two second support plates located on opposite sides of the first support plate; and at least two rotating mechanisms including a fixed plate fixed on one of the second support plates; and an arc-shaped arm connected to the fixed plate, wherein the arc-shaped arm is at least partially received and slided in the arc-shaped groove to drive the corresponding second support plate being unfolded or folded relative to the first support plate.