Flexible Display Hinge Module Maintaining Inner Length
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge modules for flexible displays fail to stably support the folded area due to a reduction in inner surface length, necessitating additional components like slide members that increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge module structure featuring hinge members with inner and external protruding parts and slit guides that maintain a constant length during folding, coupled with elastic members and coupling mechanisms to stabilize the folded state without additional slide members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge module is used to fold a flexible display, then the folding function is achieved, but the inner surface length is shortened and the folded area cannot be stably supported
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge members are designed with movable coupling members that can slide along the hinge members during folding. This dynamic structure allows the coupling members to move and maintain a constant inner surface length throughout the folding process, resolving the contradiction between achieving folding function and maintaining inner surface length
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hinge members by designing different radius of curvature for the rotation paths of inner and external protruding parts. This parameter change enables the hinge module to maintain constant inner surface length while achieving the folding function
2Length of stationary object
If additional slide members are added to maintain inner surface length, then the inner surface length is maintained, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into the hinge members themselves. The coupling members are integrated into the hinge member structure and can move along them, eliminating the need for separate slide members while maintaining constant inner surface length, thus reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge members are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide the folding mechanism, maintain constant inner surface length through movable coupling members, and guide the rotation paths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components like slide members
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 hinge module ensures stable support of flexible displays in both folded and unfolded states, maintaining equal inner length and reducing manufacturing costs by compensating for reduced inner surface length through rotational paths and elastic forces.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member passing through the plurality of hinge members and having respective ends coupled to the first and second bodies. The elastic member may be configured to apply a greater elastic force to the plurality of hinge members when the hinge module apparatus is folded than when the hinge module apparatus is unfolded.
Implementation Method 2
a hinge slit part configured to accommodate the inner protruding part of an adjacent next hinge member, and configured to guide a rotation path of the inner protruding part of the adjacent next hinge member along a first radius of curvature
Implementation Method 3
a guide part configured to accommodate the external protruding part of the adjacent next hinge member, and configured to guide a rotation path of the external protruding part of the adjacent next hinge member along a second radius of curvature
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hinge module apparatus including first and second bodies configured to respectively support different areas of a flexible display, a plurality of hinge members coupled to each other, and configured to couple the first and second bodies to each other, and coupling members configured to couple adjacent ones of the plurality of hinge members to each other.