Center-Bar Hinge Structure for Flat Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face issues with display flatness and contact with hinge structures during folding and unfolding, leading to potential damage and noise from collisions.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure incorporating a center bar that maintains stability and position, ensuring the display remains flat in the unfolded state and preventing damage by adjusting its position to avoid collisions with surrounding structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge structure is used to enable folding, then portability is improved, but display flatness deteriorates due to contact between the folded display and hinge structure
Solution Approach 1:
A center bar is introduced as an intermediary component between the display and the hinge structure. The center bar includes a support portion that contacts and supports the folded part of the display, preventing direct contact between the display and the hinge structure, thereby maintaining display flatness while enabling folding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The center bar extends in the third direction (thickness direction of the display) to provide support from below, creating a three-dimensional support structure that prevents the display from bending or deforming during folding operations
2Shape
If the center bar is positioned to support the display, then display flatness is improved, but collision with peripheral structure occurs causing noise and structural defects
Solution Approach 1:
The center bar has different structural characteristics at different locations: a support portion with a first cross-sectional shape that contacts the display, and a peripheral portion with a second cross-sectional shape that fits into a corresponding groove in the hinge structure. This local differentiation allows the center bar to provide display support while preventing collision with peripheral structures
Solution Approach 2:
A groove structure in the hinge structure serves as an intermediary that receives and positions the peripheral portion of the center bar, preventing direct collision between the center bar and other peripheral structures while maintaining the center bar's support function
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Disclosed, in one embodiment of the present invention, are a hinge structure and an electronic device comprising same, the hinge structure comprising: a first rotating shaft rotating about a first shaft; a second rotating shaft rotating about a second shaft; a first arm unit connected to the first rotating shaft; a second arm unit connected to the second rotating shaft; a first rotating unit connected to the first arm unit and rotating with respect to a third shaft; a second rotating unit connected to the second arm unit and rotating with respect to a fourth shaft; a center bar disposed between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft; and a stabilizer having one side thereof connected to the center bar, and guiding the vertical motion of the center bar according to the rotary motion of the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit.