Foldable Display Hinge Structure With Hydraulic Damping Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable display devices with electric driving assemblies require complex structures and occupy significant space due to the need for external control circuits, which complicates the hinge mechanism and increases size.

Innovation Solution

A hinge structure incorporating a rotating shaft, a driving assembly, and a connecting assembly that operates in a hydraulic or pneumatic manner, allowing the connecting assembly to move relative to the rotating shaft without an external control circuit, thereby simplifying the mechanism and reducing space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an electric driving assembly with external control circuit is used, then the hinge structure can control the flexible display panel during folding, but the structure becomes complex and occupies significant space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over flexible display panelVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric driving assembly with a mechanical driving assembly that uses a spring and lever mechanism to provide damping force during hinge rotation. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for motors, control circuits, and power supplies, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining the ability to control the flexible display panel during folding and unfolding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-based mechanical driving assembly provides self-regulating damping force that automatically adjusts during the folding process. The spring force naturally increases as the hinge rotates, providing progressive resistance without requiring external control signals or power input, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex control electronics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If an electric driving assembly with external control circuit is used, then the hinge structure can control the flexible display panel during folding, but the space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over flexible display panelVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric driving assembly with a mechanical driving assembly that uses a spring and lever mechanism to provide damping force during hinge rotation. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for motors, control circuits, and power supplies, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining the ability to control the flexible display panel during folding and unfolding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical driving assembly components, including the spring and lever, are integrated within the compact hinge structure. The spring is positioned within the hinge housing, and the lever mechanism is arranged to work within the existing spatial constraints, maximizing space utilization while providing the necessary damping function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a mechanical driving assembly with spring is used, then the space occupation is reduced and structure is simplified, but damping effect during rotation is achieved without additional damping structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddamping effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring in the mechanical driving assembly serves dual functions: it provides the driving force to move the hinge between folded and unfolded states, and simultaneously provides the damping effect during rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate damping structures while ensuring reliable control over the folding process, thereby maintaining both structural simplicity and operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution reduces the space occupied by the hinge structure, improves user experience through damping effects during rotation, and eliminates the need for additional damping structures, while maintaining effective control over the flexible display panel during folding and unfolding.

Implementation Method 1

the driving member is configured to extend and retract in the pressure chamber under the drive of the rotating shaft, and wherein the driving member is configured to drive the connecting assembly to move relatively to the rotating shaft in the pressure chamber through the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the medium is a gas and/or a liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 3

the driving member is configured to drive the connecting assembly to move relatively to the rotating shaft in the pressure chamber through the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4124931B1Hinge structure and foldable display device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4124931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4124931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124931B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A hinge structure (21) and a foldable display device are provided. The hinge structure (21) includes a rotating shaft (211), a driving assembly (212) and a connecting assembly (213). The driving assembly (212) is connected to the connecting assembly (213) and the rotating shaft (211), respectively, and is configured to drive the connecting assembly (213) to move relatively to the rotating shaft (211) in a hydraulic manner and/or a pneumatic manner under the drive of the rotating shaft (211) when the rotating shaft (211) rotates.