Folder-Type Flexible Display Hinge for Portable Large Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face a trade-off between large screen size and portability, as increasing the display size leads to a proportional increase in housing size, limiting the expansion of the display area and reducing portability.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device with a foldable design that includes a hinge unit and a multi-bar mechanism, allowing the display to be deflected and folded, thereby maximizing the display area while maintaining portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display size is increased to achieve a large screen, then the display area is improved, but the housing size increases proportionally which reduces portability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing that can be folded relative to each other via a hinge unit. This segmentation allows the display to be folded into a compact form for portability while maintaining a large unfolded display area, effectively resolving the contradiction between large screen size and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The hinge unit enables the housing to change its configuration between unfolded (large display area) and folded (compact portable form), allowing the device to adapt between maximizing display area and maximizing portability based on usage context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the display is made foldable to maximize display area expansion, then the display area is improved, but the folding section experiences increased fatigue which reduces durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into a first display area on the first housing and a second display area on the second housing, with a hinge unit connecting them. This segmentation allows the folding mechanism to be distributed across the hinge structure rather than concentrated at a single point, reducing stress and fatigue at any one location while enabling large display area expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3872600B1Folder-type portable communication device having flexible display
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3872600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a first housing including a first surface and a second surface a second housing including a third surface and a fourth surface, and a hinge. The hinge includes a hinge shaft, a sliding device including a portion configured to slide to an inside or an outside of the second housing to be introduced, or slide from the inside or the outside of the second housing in a specific direction to be extracted in correspondence to a hinge operation of the second housing, and a multi-bar disposed between the first surface and the fourth surface and including multi-bar units to be spread or bent in correspondence to a hinge operation of the second housing.