Dual-Hinge Folding Mechanism for Flexible Screen Stress Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display screens in folding mobile terminals are prone to damage during the folding process due to existing hinge structures.

Innovation Solution

A dual-hinge structure mechanism is employed in the mobile terminal, which includes a main support, limit supports, and shaft sleeves, allowing for controlled rotation and sliding movements to minimize stress on the flexible display screen during folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single hinge structure is used to fold the mobile terminal, then the device can be folded, but the flexible display screen is easily damaged during the folding process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidscreen damage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single hinge structure into multiple hinge structures (at least two hinge structures) that cooperate to form a folding mechanism. Each hinge structure includes components like main supports, limit supports, and shaft sleeves that work together to distribute the folding stress across multiple points, preventing concentration of stress on the flexible display screen and reducing damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the flexible display screen is folded, then the mobile terminal can be compacted, but stress concentration occurs on the screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidscreen stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the folding mechanism into multiple hinge structures, the patent distributes the stress that would otherwise concentrate on the screen across multiple hinge points. Each hinge structure absorbs and distributes a portion of the folding stress, reducing the overall stress concentration on the flexible display screen while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge structures act as intermediary elements between the folding motion and the flexible display screen. These intermediaries (hinge structures with main supports, limit supports, and shaft sleeves) mediate the folding stress, preventing direct stress transmission to the screen and reducing damage risk during compaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3945223B1Hinge structure, folding mechanism and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3945223B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3945223B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3945223B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A hinge structure (10), comprising: a main support (11), which is provided thereon with a sliding groove (16); a limiting support (13), which is rotatingly connected to the main support (11) by means of a straight rotary shaft (14), the straight rotary shaft (14) being provided within the sliding groove (16), and a side of the limiting support (13) being provided with a limiting groove (17); and a sub-support (12), which is connected to the limiting support (13) by means of a crank shaft (15) and which sleeves the crank shaft (15), an end of the crank shaft (15) being provided with a crank sliding block (151) that is provided with the limiting groove (17).