Dual-Shaft Foldable Hinge Assembly for Flexible Display Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in supporting the display when folded, leading to sagging or damage due to limited space for hinge assembly components, making it difficult to maintain display integrity during folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design that includes a first and second bracket, a fixing bracket, a first and second shaft, and arm portions with a support portion to securely hold the flexible display in both unfolded and folded states, ensuring it is not damaged during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If various structures are disposed to enable the hinge assembly to rotate the housing, then the rotation function is achieved, but the space required increases making it difficult to dispose structures in narrow folding regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple hinge structures (first hinge structure with first bracket and first shaft, second hinge structure with second bracket and second shaft) into a single compact assembly that shares common components and space. The first and second brackets are disposed adjacent to each other and share the folding region, while the first and second shafts are integrated within the same hinge housing, merging multiple rotation functions into a unified structure that fits within narrow folding regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the first shaft and second shaft are disposed within the same hinge housing, and the first bracket and second bracket are nested within the same folding region. The support portion is positioned between the first arm portion and second arm portion, creating a compact nested configuration that maximizes space utilization while maintaining all rotation functions.
2Area of stationary object
If the hinge assembly is miniaturized by integrating structures, then space is reduced, but some regions of the flexible display may not be supported leading to sagging or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized support by positioning a dedicated support portion between the first arm portion and second arm portion that contacts and supports the flexible display at the folding region. This local support mechanism ensures that the display is protected from sagging and damage at the critical folding area while allowing the overall hinge assembly to remain compact and integrated.
3Device complexity
If multiple shafts and brackets are integrated in a compact space, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design where the first shaft and second shaft are disposed at different positions within the hinge housing with different rotation axes (third rotation axis and fourth rotation axis respectively). The first bracket and second bracket are asymmetrically arranged adjacent to each other, with the support portion positioned asymmetrically between the arm portions. This asymmetric configuration allows for flexible positioning and tolerance compensation, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining compact integration.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing, and a flexible display disposed on the first housing and the second housing across the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a first bracket coupled to the first housing to rotate about a first axis, a second bracket coupled to the second housing to rotate about a second axis, a fixing bracket supporting the first bracket and the second bracket, a first shaft rotating about a third axis, a second shaft rotating adjacent to the first shaft and rotating about a fourth axis, a first arm coupled to the first shaft and having one side coupled to the first bracket, a second arm coupled to the second shaft and having one side coupled to the second bracket, and a support located between the first arm and the second arm.