Flexible Display Support System with Constant Chord Length Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in portable electronic devices are prone to damage when bent or folded beyond a certain limit, as existing mechanisms fail to adequately control the bend radius and maintain even tension, leading to creasing and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A support system comprising pivot members, sliders, and hinge elements that guide the flexible display between open and folded positions, maintaining a constant chord length and controlling the bend radius to prevent over-bending, using a combination of pin-and-slot mechanisms and adhesive attachments to secure the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible display is folded to enhance portability, then the device becomes more portable, but the flexible display is prone to damage from excessive bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the folding mechanism by using a constant chord length quadrilateral configuration. This ensures that the flexible display bends within safe angular limits while maintaining the folding capability for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hinge elements and slider mechanisms as intermediary components between the flexible display and the device housing. These intermediaries control the bending motion and prevent direct excessive folding of the display, protecting it from damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible display is bent beyond a certain limit, then the folding range is increased, but creasing and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains even tension across the flexible display by using a constant chord length mechanism. This geometric constraint ensures uniform bending distribution, preventing localized stress concentration that causes creasing and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge elements and slider mechanisms are designed beforehand to guide and limit the bending motion. This pre-established mechanical guidance prevents the flexible display from being bent beyond safe limits, cushioning it from harmful stresses.
3Device complexity
If a simple folding mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the bend radius cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the folding mechanism into discrete hinge elements and slider components. Each segment performs a specific function (guiding motion, maintaining chord length), achieving precise bend radius control through modular assembly rather than a single complex mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If the flexible display is folded without maintaining constant tension, then the folding operation is simpler, but the display is prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The constant chord length mechanism automatically maintains even tension across the flexible display during folding. This geometric constraint passively ensures uniform stress distribution without requiring active control, preserving display integrity while keeping the operation simple.
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 support system effectively protects the flexible display from damage by maintaining a consistent tension and preventing excessive bending, enhancing portability and durability while allowing for various folding configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a first component (172) and a second component (174) coupled to one another by a pivot member (192) and being movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first component and the second component are in the same plane and a folded position
Implementation Method 2
the first component and the second component are coupled to one another to maintain the flexible membrane at a constant length when the flexible membrane is moved between the open position and the folded position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A device includes: a first component and a second component coupled to one another by a pivot member and being movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first component and the second component are in the same plane and a folded position; a first slider coupled to the first component and a second slider coupled to the second component; and a flexible membrane coupled to the first slider and the second slider, the flexible membrane being exposed in the folded position; wherein the first component and the second component are coupled to one another to maintain the flexible membrane at a constant length when the flexible membrane is moved between the open position and the folded position.