Support Member for Flexible Display Hinge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible mobile terminal devices with free stop hinges face issues of a weak fixed state due to unpredictable contact, leading to non-preferred state changes and the formation of ridges on the hinge surfaces, which deteriorate display quality over time.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a plate-shaped hinge and a support member that moves between the flexible display panel and the hinge, allowing the support member to be fitted into openings in a first state to prevent non-preferred state changes and stored in a second state to avoid ridges, while maintaining a thin and ridge-free design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If free stop hinges are used to enable bending and fixing of the flexible display panel, then the device can be folded and fixed at desired angles, but the fixed state becomes weak and the device readily changes to non-preferred states due to unpredictable contact
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible display panel and the housing. This support member includes a support portion that contacts the flexible display panel and a fitting portion that engages with a fitting groove in the housing, providing additional stabilization. The support member acts as a mediator that reinforces the fixed state without interfering with the folding functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the folding portion is configured to be bendable in its entirety to front or rear side, then the device achieves flexible folding, but ridges remain on front faces of the folding portion after returning to flat state, making touch operation difficult and deteriorating display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be selectively positioned. In the folded state, the support member is extracted or retracted from the front face area to avoid creating ridges that would interfere with touch operation. The support function is maintained through the fitting portion engaging with the housing, while the support portion that could cause ridges is removed from the critical display area, thus resolving the contradiction between folding flexibility and ease of operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If free stop hinges are used to maintain bent state, then the device can be fixed in folded position, but unpredictable contact causes the device to change from fixed state to non-preferred state
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with dynamic positioning capability. It can move between different positions: engaged with the housing to provide stability in fixed states, and retracted or positioned away from critical areas when folding/unfolding occurs. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain stability when needed while adapting to changing states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining bent state and resisting unpredictable contact-induced state changes.
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 solution effectively suppresses changes to non-preferred states and reduces the impact of ridges on the hinge surfaces, enhancing the durability and display quality of flexible display panels by maintaining a stable and ridge-free interface.
Implementation Method 1
A support member is provided being configured to move between the flexible display panel and the first hinge, from one of the first side face and the second side face toward the other. The support member, in the first state, is fitted into the first opening and the second opening and fixed. Further, the support member, in a second state where the first side face and the second side face are not facing each other, is stored in an interior of one of the first housing and the second housing or fitted into one of the first opening and the second opening.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing device wherein, in a first state where a first side face and a second side face are disposed facing each other, a support member can be fitted into a first opening and a second opening and fixed.