Protective Structure for Flexible Display Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays are prone to damage when folded, particularly at the folding portion, due to mechanical stress and external impacts, which existing protective structures fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a protective structure that covers the edges of the folding area of a flexible display, featuring movable parts that guide along predetermined paths to prevent collision with the display during folding and unfolding, ensuring the display remains undamaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective structure is added to cover the folding area edges, then the protection against damage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is nested within the housing structure, with the moving part fitting into a recess of the housing. This nesting approach provides protection while minimizing additional complexity by integrating the protective function into the existing structural framework rather than adding a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure employs a moving part that can shift position between a first position (providing edge protection) and a second position (retracting to avoid collision). This dynamic capability allows the structure to adapt during folding operations, maintaining protection effectiveness while reducing interference with the flexible display's movement.
2Reliability
If a protective structure covers the folding area, then damage prevention is improved, but the risk of collision with the flexible display during folding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving part dynamically adjusts its position based on the folding state. During folding operations, it transitions to the second position where it is spaced apart from the flexible display, eliminating collision risk. When the device is stationary, it returns to the first position to provide protective coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is designed to be preliminarily positioned in a way that does not interfere with the folding mechanism. The moving part's ability to retract before collision can occur allows the system to prepare in advance for the folding action, ensuring smooth operation without harmful interactions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1b
Figure 1c~2a
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing structure including a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge housing, a hinge structure that is at least partially disposed in the hinge housing and that connects at least part of the first housing and at least part of the second housing to allow the first housing and the second housing to be folded or unfolded, with a folding axis therebetween, a display extending from the first housing to the second housing across the hinge housing, and a protective structure disposed at an edge of the hinge housing that faces a direction of the folding axis. The protective structure includes a fixed part disposed in the hinge housing, guide parts disposed in the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and moving parts including cover portions that cover at least parts of a periphery of the display. The moving parts are configured to be movable relative to the guide parts and the fixed part such that a gap between a surface of the display and the cover portions is changed.