Flexible Display Hinge with Elastic Unit for Crease Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display units in mobile terminals are prone to creasing when folded or unfolded, degrading their quality and potentially causing damage, as existing hinge mechanisms do not effectively maintain a flat state during deformation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring a flexible display unit supported by first and second body units connected via a hinge unit, with elastic units providing tensile force to maintain the display in a flat state, and guide protrusions and grooves ensuring the display remains flat even when folded, minimizing damage and enhancing image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display unit is deformed to be folded or unfolded using a hinge unit, then the mobile terminal can be transformed between different states, but the flexible display unit may be creased, degrading quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformability between folded and unfolded statesVSAvoidflatness of display unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic unit is pre-configured to automatically apply restoring force when the display unit bends, preventing crease formation before they can occur. The elastic unit is positioned and tensioned in advance to act immediately upon deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic unit acts as a cushioning mechanism that preemptively counteracts the creasing force. By providing continuous elastic support, it protects the display unit from the harmful effects of repeated folding before damage accumulates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the flexible display unit is repeatedly folded and unfolded, then the mobile terminal can be used in different configurations, but damage to the flexible display unit occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeatability of folding operationVSAvoiddurability of display unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic unit provides preemptive protection against the cumulative damage caused by repeated folding. By continuously supporting the display unit during each cycle, it prevents micro-damage that would otherwise accumulate over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic unit automatically performs the protective function without external intervention. The elastic restoring force self-activates upon deformation and continuously maintains display unit integrity throughout repeated folding cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design effectively maintains the flexible display unit in a flat state during deformation, reducing damage and improving image output quality, even with repeated folding and unfolding.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic unit configured to provide elastic force to move the second plate in the second state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3640766B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3640766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3640766B1 patent drawingFigure 1B(a)~1B(b)
  • EP3640766B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A mobile terminal comprises: a flexible display configured to be deformed by changing the display from an unfolded state to a folded state; a first body configured to support a first region of the display, having a first insertion recess; a second body configured to support a remaining region of the display having a second insertion recess, whereby the first insertion recess and the second insertion recess face each other in the unfolded state; and a hinge rotatably coupling the first body with the second body, wherein movement of the first body relative to the second body about the hinge permits the display to be changed between the unfolded state and the folded state; wherein the mobile terminal further comprises: connection units, configured to connect the hinge with the first and second insertion recesses.