Dual Axis Pivot Hinge for Foldable OLED Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual axis gear-synchronized hinges for portable information handling systems with foldable OLED displays face challenges such as increased thickness due to the space between axes, and stress on the OLED film during folding and unfolding.

Innovation Solution

A synchronized dual axis pivot hinge assembly that rotates opposing brackets about dual axes, defining a pivot motion that translates housing portions up and away from the hinge assembly to maintain a fold radius of the flexible display film, while providing additional room for the film to fold below the plane in the open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional dual axis gear-synchronized hinge is used to support a foldable OLED display, then the display can be protected during folding, but the space between the axes increases the thickness of the information handling system

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOLED display protectionVSAvoidsystem thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gear synchronization mechanism from the hinge assembly, extracting only the essential pivot function. This eliminates the space-consuming gears while maintaining the core capability of supporting the OLED display during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using gears to synchronize the dual axes, the patent inverts the approach by allowing independent rotation of each axis without synchronization mechanisms. This reversal of the conventional approach eliminates the need for gear trains and reduces overall hinge thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a conventional dual axis gear-synchronized hinge is used, then the display can be supported, but stress is applied to the OLED film during folding and unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay supportVSAvoidstress on OLED film

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a cushioning element between the hinge components and the OLED display. This cushioning mechanism absorbs stresses during folding and unfolding operations, protecting the OLED film from damage while maintaining proper display support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Length of stationary object

If the hinge assembly is made compact to reduce thickness, then system height is reduced, but cable routing becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem heightVSAvoidcable routing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the cable routing channels within the compact hinge assembly structure. By integrating cable pathways into the hinge body itself, the design maintains stable cable routing while keeping the overall assembly compact and thin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12282363B2Synchronized dual axis pivot hinge

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system supports a flexible OLED display film over housing portions rotationally coupled by a hinge by folding the OLED display film over the hinge. Hinge brackets that couple to the housing portions each have a helical member that extends into an associated helical guide of the hinge main body. Hinge bracket rotation translates through the helical guides for synchronized housing rotation. The hinge main body has first and second circular portions extending along its length to define first and second rotation axes about which the hinge brackets pivot so that the display film has space to fold in the closed position.