Folding Assembly With Arc Support for Folded Display Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in foldable electronic devices are prone to collapse and damage due to lack of support in the curved regions, leading to poor user experience and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A folding assembly with a hinge mechanism that includes supporting portions on both housings to stabilize the curved part of the flexible display, providing continuous and smooth support through arc-shaped surfaces that coincide in the folded state, reducing the risk of collapse and indentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flexible display is folded without additional support structures, then the device achieves compact portability, but the curved part of the flexible display collapses and gets damaged due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
A support plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible display and the housing. The support plate has a first plate portion and a second plate portion that extend into the bending region, providing structural support to the curved part of the flexible display during folded state while maintaining compact portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure extends in multiple dimensions - the first plate portion extends in a first direction from the first housing, and the second plate portion extends in a second direction from the second housing. This multi-dimensional extension provides comprehensive support to the curved part of the flexible display from different spatial directions.
2Reliability
If support structures are added to the housing, then the curved part of the flexible display is supported and stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is integrated with the housing structure - the first plate portion is combined with the first housing and the second plate portion is combined with the second housing. This merging approach provides necessary support functionality while minimizing additional structural complexity by consolidating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to the curved part of the flexible display, maintains the bent shape during folded state, and distributes mechanical stresses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the flexible display is subjected to external forces in folded state, then the display can be used for input operations, but the curved part collapses and gets damaged due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is pre-positioned and fixed to the housing before the flexible display is folded. The first plate portion and second plate portion are already extended into the bending region, providing preliminary structural support to the curved part of the flexible display before any external forces are applied during input operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as a cushioning structure that is already in place to absorb and distribute external forces applied to the curved part of the flexible display. The plate portions provide beforehand protection against collapse by creating a rigid support framework that prevents force concentration on the fragile curved display area.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a folding assembly. The folding assembly includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly is connected between the first housing and the second housing. The first housing includes a first main housing portion and a first supporting portion. The first supporting portion is connected to a side, of the first main housing portion, that is close to the hinge assembly. The second housing includes a second main housing portion and a second supporting portion. The second supporting portion is connected to a side, of the second main housing portion, that is close to the hinge assembly. The first main housing portion is configured to support a first flat part of a flexible display. The second main housing portion is configured to support a second flat part of the flexible display. When the first housing is in a folded state with respect to the second housing, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are configured to jointly support a curved part of the flexible display. The curved part of the flexible display is connected between the first flat part and the second flat part. The folding assembly can support the curved part of the flexible display. This application further discloses an electronic device.