Foldable Display Stabilization via Elastic Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display units in electronic devices face challenges in maintaining a stable flat state when folded and unfolded, as the display unit's curvature issues prevent secure fixation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring first and second body parts connected by a hinge with a support part and an elastic force providing unit, including swivel arms and a spring part, to maintain the display unit's position in both folded and unfolded states, ensuring stability and flatness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the display unit is folded at a specific curvature, then the device can be compact and portable, but the display unit may become curved or folded body parts may not be fixed and thus cannot be maintained to be flat
Solution Approach 1:
The device body is segmented into first and second body parts that can be folded relative to each other. The display unit is correspondingly divided into first and second display regions. This segmentation allows independent control and support of each segment, enabling the device to be compact when folded while maintaining flatness when unfolded through the support part that prevents curvature at the folding region.
Solution Approach 2:
A support part is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second body parts. This support part includes a first support region supporting the first display region and a second support region supporting the second display region. The intermediary support structure prevents the display unit from curving at the folding region, maintaining flatness while allowing the device to be compact when folded.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display unit is made foldable to enable folded state, then device portability is improved, but the display unit cannot be stably maintained in both folded and unfolded states
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic force providing unit is introduced to provide elastic forces that act as counterweights to gravitational and external forces on the display unit. The elastic force providing unit includes a first elastic force providing region providing elastic force in a first direction and a second elastic force providing region providing elastic force in a second direction. These opposing elastic forces enable the device to stably maintain both folded and unfolded states, improving reliability while preserving foldable capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic force providing unit is configured to dynamically adjust the direction and magnitude of elastic forces based on the device state. When the device is folded, the elastic force providing unit provides elastic force in a first direction to maintain the folded state. When the device is unfolded, it provides elastic force in a second direction to maintain the unfolded state. This dynamic adaptation enables stable maintenance of both folded and unfolded states.
3Strength
If the support part includes multiple ribs assembled together in folded state, then structural support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support part employs a nesting structure where multiple ribs are assembled together in the folded state to form a compact, space-efficient configuration. The ribs are arranged to nest within each other or fit into designated spaces, providing strong structural support while minimizing the overall volume when folded. This nesting approach enhances support capability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 stabilizes the display unit in both states, allowing for a larger display region and secure support, preventing curvature issues and maintaining the device's flatness when unfolded.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic part connecting the other ends of the first and second swivel arms, wherein the first and second swivel arms rotatably move in mutually opposite directions with respect to the one end in the folded state and unfolded state
Implementation Method 2
The first body part may include a spring part disposed in a receiving space and elastically supporting the extending part, and thus, the first body part may be more easily switched to the unfolded state by an external force
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes first and second body part; a third body part connecting the first and second body parts such that the first an second body parts are switched to an unfolded state or a folded state, a display unit disposed on one surface of each of the first and second body parts and provided such that a partial region thereof is foldable in the unfolded state and the folded state, an extending part extending in the unfolded state, a support part including first and second support regions supporting the display unit, and an elastic force providing unit providing an elastic force in different directions such that the unfolded state and the folded state are maintained.