Flexible Display Sliding Mechanism for Wrinkle-Free Hinge Rotation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals with flexible displays face the issue of wrinkles when the hinge part rotates, degrading the display quality.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring a sliding structure with a flexible member that applies compression force and restoring force, allowing the flexible display unit to slide along the hinge part, preventing wrinkles and enabling deformation without surface folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the flexible display unit is bent along the rotation of the hinge part, then the mobile terminal can achieve deformable shape and compact form factor, but wrinkles are generated in the flexible display degrading the display quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformable shapeVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is divided into multiple regions (first area, second area, third area) that can be independently positioned and controlled. The flexible display unit is segmented into regions that can be selectively folded or positioned in different states, allowing the display to deform without creating wrinkles in the visible display areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sliding mechanism that moves the flexible display unit in a direction perpendicular to the hinge rotation axis. This additional dimensional movement allows the display to accommodate hinge rotation without bending, as the display can slide to compensate for the spatial changes caused by folding, thereby maintaining display quality while achieving deformable shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the flexible display unit is made bendable to enable folding, then the mobile terminal achieves compact form factor, but the display surface develops folds and wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompact form factorVSAvoidsurface folding
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A sliding mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hinge part and the flexible display unit. This intermediary component allows the display to move independently from the hinge rotation, absorbing the mechanical stress that would otherwise cause folding and wrinkles on the display surface while enabling compact folding form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the flexible display unit slides along the hinge part during rotation, then wrinkles are prevented and display quality is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidsliding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding mechanism is merged with the hinge structure, combining two functions (sliding and hinging) into a single integrated assembly. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure, allowing the flexible display to slide along the hinge part during rotation without significantly increasing device complexity while maintaining display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ensures that the flexible display unit remains wrinkle-free during rotation, enhancing display quality and providing additional screen options, while maintaining a compact form factor with sufficient component space.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible member comprising one end coupled to the first body and the other end coupled to the sliding member to assist the sliding motion of the sliding member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3322159B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3322159B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3322159B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3322159B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to achieve the above or other objectives, a mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention comprises, a first body; a second body rotatably connected to a first direction side of the first body; a hinge part which is placed between the first body and the second body so as to rotatably connect the second body to the first body; and a flexible display unit, one side of which is placed on one surface of the first body and the other side of which is placed on one surface of the second body, wherein the flexible display unit is bent according to a change in the angle of the hinge part. The mobile terminal has an advantage in that the flexible display unit is slidably coupled to at least one of the bodies so as to be slidingly moved according to a rotation of the hinge part, and thus no folding occurs in the surface of the flexible display unit placed on the hinge part.