Flexible Component Support Rack and Pinion Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible light-emitting devices, such as those using electroluminescence, face challenges in maintaining mechanical strength and reliability due to their thinness, which can lead to structural breakage when bent with small curvature radii, necessitating a support system that allows bending without compromising the component's integrity.
Innovation Solution
A support system comprising substrates connected by hinges with rack and pinion mechanisms that allow for horizontal sliding and rotational movement, maintaining the allowable curvature radius and enhancing mechanical strength while enabling flexible component bending without breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible component is made thinner to improve flexibility and portability, then flexibility is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple hinge pieces (first hinge piece, second hinge piece, third hinge piece) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the support to bend while distributing mechanical stress across multiple segments, maintaining both flexibility and structural integrity of the thin flexible component.
Solution Approach 2:
The support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with movable hinge pieces connected by rotating joints. This allows the support to adapt its shape during bending operations while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance.
2Volume of moving object
If the flexible component is bent with a small curvature radius to improve portability, then compactness is improved, but the internal structure breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism provides controlled dynamic movement that guides the bending process, ensuring the flexible component bends at an appropriate curvature radius. The rotating joints between hinge pieces create a gradual bending progression that prevents sudden stress concentration and internal structure breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge pieces act as intermediary elements between the rigid support boards and the flexible component. These intermediaries distribute and缓和 the bending stress, preventing direct transmission of high stress to the flexible component's internal structure while still achieving compact folding.
3Strength
If a rigid support is used to protect the flexible component, then mechanical strength is improved, but bending capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support incorporates movable hinge pieces with rotating joints that enable the rigid support structure to dynamically adapt during bending. The support maintains rigidity in its extended state for protection but can transition to a bent configuration through controlled rotation at the hinge joints.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the support into multiple rigid pieces connected by flexible joints, the system combines the protective strength of rigid structures with the bending capability of flexible mechanisms. Each hinge piece maintains structural integrity while the joints between them provide the necessary flexibility.
4Reliability
If the hinge mechanism is designed to maintain curvature radius, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curvature radius control is achieved through the natural dynamic geometry of the hinge mechanism rather than complex active control systems. The rotating joints and linkages inherently maintain appropriate bending radii through their mechanical configuration, providing reliable operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed with specific geometric relationships between linkages and joint positions that naturally produce the desired curvature radius during bending. This geometric design approach maintains reliability through consistent curvature control while avoiding the need for complex sensors, actuators, or control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a support for supporting a flexible component and a light-emitting device. A first substrate, a second substrate, a rack, a pinion, and a hinge are provided. When the second substrate is moved, the rotational force of the pinion is transmitted to the rack of the first substrate and thus the first substrate is moved in the horizontal direction while being overlapped with one of hinge pieces of the hinge; accordingly, the flexible component can be bent while the flexible component is fixed to the first substrate and the second substrate and the allowable curvature radius is maintained in the vicinity of the hinge.