Coupling Assembly Structure for Wrinkle-Free Foldable Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling assemblies in foldable devices face challenges in maintaining structural stability and functionality, leading to issues such as deformation, wrinkles, and reduced service life due to inadequate space management during folding and unfolding.

Innovation Solution

A coupling assembly with opposing threaded shaft sleeves and connection rods that allow for relative rotation and sliding, enabling adjustable distances and angles to manage space effectively, using basic components like screw rods, shaft sleeves, and connection rods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pivot or hinge structures are used to connect two separate parts in foldable devices, then the device can achieve folded and unfolded states, but the flexible structure may experience deformation, wrinkles, and reduced service life due to inadequate space management during folding and unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding and unfolding functionalityVSAvoidstructural stability and service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling assembly employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the distance between the first and second connection rods can be adjusted during folding and unfolding processes. The shaft sleeves can rotate relative to the screw rod, and the connection rods can slide along the shaft sleeves, enabling the structure to dynamically adapt to different spatial requirements during movement, thereby preventing deformation and wrinkles while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling assembly is divided into multiple independent components: a screw rod, a holder with a first shaft sleeve fixed to it, a second shaft sleeve that can rotate on the screw rod, first and second connection rods that can slide along the shaft sleeves, and a synchronizing member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, contributing to overall structural stability while enabling the required folding and unfolding movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between connection rods is fixed in traditional coupling assemblies, then the structure is simple, but the flexible structure cannot adapt to space changes during folding and unfolding, leading to deformation and wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace management capabilityVSAvoidcoupling assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the sliding connection rods and rotatable shaft sleeves. The first connection rod can slide along the first shaft sleeve, and the second connection rod can slide along the second shaft sleeve, allowing the distance between connection rods to dynamically adjust during folding and unfolding, thereby adapting to space changes without increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft sleeves act as intermediary components between the screw rod and the connection rods. The first shaft sleeve is fixed to the screw rod, while the second shaft sleeve can rotate on the screw rod. These intermediary elements enable the connection rods to adjust their positions and distances in response to spatial requirements during folding and unfolding, without requiring direct complex mechanisms between the screw rod and connection rods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides stable, wrinkle-free folding and unfolding of foldable screens by managing space efficiently, prolonging the service life and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a screw rod; a holder mounted on the screw rod; a shaft sleeve set including a first shaft sleeve and a second shaft sleeve, in which at least part of the screw rod is located in the first shaft sleeve, the second shaft sleeve is fitted over the screw rod at an outer side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4080320B1Coupling assembly and display terminal
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4080320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4080320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4080320B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A coupling assembly includes: a screw rod (20); a holder (10) mounted on the screw rod (20); a shaft sleeve set and a connection rod set. The shaft sleeve set includes: a first shaft sleeve (30) embedded in the holder (10); and a second shaft sleeve (40) fitted over the screw rod (20) at an outer side and slidable on the screw rod (20). The connection rod set includes: a first connection rod (50) having an end fixedly coupled to the first shaft sleeve (30); and a second connection rod (60) having an end fixedly coupled to the second shaft sleeve (40), the second connection rod (60) and the first connection rod (50) crossing and being coupled at a junction. The first connection rod (50) and the second connection rod (60) cross to form an angle.