Flexible Display Mobile Terminal Hinge Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals with flexible displays face challenges in folding and unfolding mechanisms that prevent excessive curvature and ensure cases remain close when unfolded, while maintaining exposure of display areas.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring interlocking cases with rotating portions, elastic members, and magnetic connections that allow for smooth folding and unfolding, preventing excessive curvature and ensuring cases remain close when folded, while allowing display areas to be exposed and unfolded without spacing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical implementation is used to solve display movement during folding, then the display stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay stabilityVSAvoidmechanical implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into two separate cases (first case and second case) that can rotate relative to each other. The display is segmented into a first portion on the first case and a second portion on the second case, allowing independent movement and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling portion enables dynamic rotation between the first and second cases, allowing the terminal to transition between folded and unfolded states. This dynamic structure replaces complex mechanical implementations with a simpler rotating joint that adapts to different usage states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal is designed to be folded and unfolded, then the adaptability is improved, but the cases may become spaced apart when unfolded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidcase alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Magnetic attraction force replaces mechanical connection mechanisms to maintain case alignment. The magnetic coupling portion attracts the first and second cases together, ensuring they remain closely aligned when unfolded without requiring complex mechanical locking or guiding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display areas are exposed when unfolded, then the display functionality is improved, but the curvature control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay exposureVSAvoidcurvature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into two portions mounted on separate cases. When the terminal is unfolded, each display portion remains on its respective case, allowing full exposure of display areas while the rigid case structure naturally controls curvature without requiring additional precision mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables seamless folding and unfolding of mobile terminals with flexible displays, preventing excessive curvature and ensuring the cases remain close when folded, while maintaining the exposure and integrity of display areas when unfolded.

Implementation Method 1

a rotating portion coupled to the other end portions of the first and second connecting portions to rotate the first and second connecting portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

wherein the coupling portion includes: a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, respectively having one end portions fixed to the ends of the first and second cases to integrally rotate with the first and second cases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2993871B1Mobile terminal with flexible display
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2993871B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2993871B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2993871B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

A mobile terminal includes a first case (210, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910), a second case (220, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920) relatively rotating with respect to the first case, coupling portions (230, 330, 630, 830, 930) respectively coupled to ends of the first and second cases, to relatively rotate the first and second cases, and a display including (240, 340) a first portion (241) formed on the first case, the first portion having at least one portion fixed to the first case, and a second portion (242) integrally formed with the first portion, the second portion being disposed on the second case, wherein the coupling portion (230, 330, 630, 830, 930) may include a first connecting portion (231, 331, 431, 531, 531, 631, 731, 831, 931) and a second connecting portion (232, 332, 432, 532, 532, 632, 732, 832, 932), respectively having one end portions fixed to the ends of the first and second cases to integrally rotate with the first and second cases, and rotating portions (233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733, 833, 933) respectively coupled to the other end portions of the first and second connecting portions, to rotate the first and second connecting portions.