Flexible Display Hinge Mechanism for Foldable Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with liquid crystal displays are inflexible due to the rigid nature of the cover glass and other display layers, limiting their functionality and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electronic devices with multiple housing portions connected using hinges, such as three-bar or four-bar linkages, allowing for flexible display configurations by bending the display when the housing portions are rotated relative to each other. Tensioning structures and rollers are used to manage the display's tension and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid cover glass and display layers are used to protect the liquid crystal display, then the display is protected from damage, but the display becomes inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoiddisplay flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple housing portions (first housing portion and second housing portion) that can be rotated relative to each other, allowing the display to be segmented across different planes and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism enables dynamic reconfiguration of the display from a flat planar configuration to a bent configuration, allowing the display to adapt between different states while maintaining protection through the housing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing portions are rotated relative to each other to enable flexible display configurations, then the device versatility is improved, but the display may be stretched or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay configuration flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible display film is used that can bend without stretching, allowing the display to conform to the changing geometry of the rotated housing portions while maintaining its structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables rotation between housing portions while the flexible display film mediates the transmission of the display image across the bent configuration without stretching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250040061A1Flexible Display Devices

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 APPLE INC

AI summary

Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together. The hinges may be provided with rotational detents to help hold the flexible display in desired positions.