Foldable Display Hinge Curvature Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with separate display portions face challenges in providing high visibility and reliability due to the independent display units being far apart, limiting the ability to display a single image seamlessly and maintaining display quality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a hinge mechanism that connects two housings with a flexible display device, allowing the display regions to bend and overlap, maintaining a specific angle to prevent breakage and ensure high visibility and reliability, with a structure that includes a space between the hinges to accommodate the display's curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two display portions are independently provided in a foldable electronic device, then the device can be folded for portability, but the visibility and display quality deteriorate because the display portions are far apart and cannot show a single image seamlessly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate display portions into a single continuous flexible display that spans across the hinge region. This allows the display to function as one unified surface when unfolded, enabling seamless image display and high visibility, while still maintaining the ability to fold for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the display to transition between folded and unfolded states. The hinge region is designed to accommodate the flexibility of the display, enabling it to bend without damage while maintaining proper display functionality in both configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display device is bent to accommodate folding, then portability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential breakage from excessive curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a hinge structure with a predetermined curvature radius that is specifically designed to be larger than the minimum bending radius of the flexible display. This beforehand design ensures that the display is never subjected to excessive curvature that would cause breakage, providing protective cushioning against potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hinge region, specifically setting the curvature radius to be within a specific range (1mm to 50mm) that is optimized for the flexible display's mechanical properties. This parameter optimization allows the display to bend sufficiently for folding while maintaining structural integrity and preventing breakage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display regions are positioned far apart for folding purposes, then portability is enhanced, but the display quality deteriorates due to reduced visibility and inability to display a single image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple display regions into a single continuous flexible display structure that extends across the hinge area. This merging eliminates the gaps and separation between display portions, enabling high-resolution seamless image display and maintaining high display quality while preserving foldability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device with favorable reliability is provided. The electronic device can be folded in half and includes a bendable display device. In the electronic device, a first space is provided in the neighborhood of a hinge that connects two housings. Part of the display device is stored in a second space when the electronic device is folded, which prevents excessing bending of the display device and increases reliability. The display device may be provided on a side surface of the housings, which increases visibility. The side surface of the housings preferably includes a curved surface. The display device may include a first pixel reflecting visible light and a second pixel emitting visible light, which increases the visibility and decreases power consumption of the electronic device.