Flexible Display Hinge with Angle Restriction and Stopper

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Solution Overview

Problem

In display devices with flexible and foldable panels, the projected shaft portion obstructs the user's view and may damage the display when folded, compromising both visibility and design quality.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a flexible panel supported by display support portions on the side opposite to the display surface, featuring a hinge portion with angle restricting mechanisms to prevent excessive bending and maintain visibility, and a slide portion to reduce stress on the panel during folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a projected shaft portion is used in the hinge to enable folding, then the flexible display panel can be folded, but the projected shaft portion obstructs the user's view and may damage the display when folded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidview obstruction and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional projected shaft portion from the hinge structure. Instead, the hinge connects the cases at their edges without any part projecting into the display area, eliminating the source of view obstruction and damage risk while maintaining folding functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge is divided into multiple segments including a first hinge connecting the first case to the flexible display panel, and a second hinge connecting the flexible display panel to the second case. This segmentation allows each hinge to be positioned away from the display area, preventing obstruction while enabling folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the flexible display panel is folded with a small bending diameter, then the panel can be compactly folded, but the display circuit may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolded compactnessVSAvoiddisplay circuit integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a bending radius control mechanism in the hinge that prevents the flexible display panel from bending beyond a safe radius. This cushioning mechanism ensures the panel is protected from excessive stress before damage can occur, maintaining circuit integrity while allowing compact folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9910458B2Flexible display device with stoppable hinge

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 SHARP KK

AI summary

A display device 10 includes a flexible display panel having a display surface 11a and flexibility, display support portions 12 supporting the flexible display panel from a side opposite to the display surface 11a side, a hinge portion 13 supporting the two adjacent display support portions 12 to be rotatable, and an angle restricting portion 18 mounted on each of hinge parts 15, 16 and including at least a stopper projection 19 and a stopper hole 20 that are stopped by each other when an angle formed by the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 reaches a predetermined value, the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 being rotated according to bending of the flexible display panel 11 from the flat state and the angle being formed by the two adjacent display supporting portions 12 that are rotated, and the angle restricting portion 18 restricting the angle.