Double-Sliding Folding Mechanism for Low-Stress Flexible Materials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display panels using inflexible glass substrates are limited in application, and there is a need for technologies that minimize stress on flexible display materials during folding and folding durability tests.
Innovation Solution
A stress-free folding mechanism that includes a base module and a folding module with interlocking sliders for double sliding operations, combining horizontal and inclined sliding methods to correct movement trajectories and reduce stress on flexible materials, along with a jig module for secure mounting and easy attachment/detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible material is folded using a conventional single sliding mechanism, then the folding operation can be performed, but stress acts on the flexible material causing durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is divided into multiple independent sliding components: a first interlocking slider coupled to the folding body, and a second interlocking slider coupled to the first interlocking slider. This segmentation allows the folding operation to be distributed across multiple sliding actions, reducing stress concentration on the flexible material while maintaining folding functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a double sliding mechanism with interlocking sliders is used, then stress on flexible material is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first interlocking slider and second interlocking slider are merged into a coordinated double sliding system where both sliders work together to perform the folding operation. This combining of multiple sliding actions into a unified mechanism achieves stress reduction while maintaining operational simplicity through the interlocked motion of the sliders.
Solution Approach 2:
The first interlocking slider acts as an intermediary between the folding body and the second interlocking slider. This intermediate component transfers and coordinates the sliding motion, enabling the double sliding mechanism to function as an integrated system that reduces stress on the flexible material without requiring complex independent control of each slider.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If horizontal and inclined sliding methods are used simultaneously, then movement trajectory errors are corrected and stress is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism employs both horizontal and inclined sliding paths with different geometric orientations. The inclined panel is disposed at an angle relative to the folding body, creating asymmetric sliding trajectories that naturally correct movement errors and distribute stress differently compared to a purely horizontal mechanism, though this requires precise angular positioning during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a single horizontal sliding dimension to a two-dimensional sliding system that incorporates both horizontal and inclined motion paths. This dimensional expansion allows the system to correct trajectory errors through the inclined component while maintaining stress reduction benefits, though it requires more complex alignment and assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding mechanism includes a base module and a folding module which is coupled to the base module such that the folding module is capable of being rotated so as to realize a folding operation of a flexible material and which is coupled to the flexible material such that the folding module is capable of being slidably moved.