Foldable Display Hinge Mechanism for Gap-Free Flat Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge mechanisms for foldable electronic devices are overly complex and costly, and they often result in mismatch gaps when unfolded, causing issues like creases and light shadows on flexible displays.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a base and a main shaft module, comprising first and second rotation components with support arms, rotation plates, pin shafts, and torsion springs, which provide a water-drop-like accommodating space for the flexible display in the folded state and flat support in the unfolded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge mechanism provides specific avoidance space for the flexible display in a folded state, then the flexible display is protected from pulling or squeezing, but the structure becomes excessively complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple functional modules: a base module with support surface, a first rotation component with first support arm and first rotation plate, and a second rotation component with second support arm and second rotation plate. Each module independently contributes to creating the avoidance space while maintaining structural clarity and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first rotation plate and second rotation plate are nested within the hinge mechanism structure, with their second sides abutting against the base support surface when unfolded. The rotation plates are positioned between the support arms and the base, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides avoidance space without excessive structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the hinge mechanism is designed to avoid pulling or squeezing the flexible display in a folded state, then display reliability improves, but the structure becomes excessively complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The base support surface serves multiple functions: it provides the abutting surface for the second sides of the rotation plates when unfolded, serves as the foundation for mounting the rotation components, and contributes to forming the avoidance space when folded. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, lowering manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex protective structures around the flexible display, the invention inverts the approach by having the hinge mechanism components (rotation plates and support arms) naturally form the avoidance space through their geometric arrangement and movement paths. The protection emerges from the inverted design logic rather than from added protective elements.
3Reliability
If the hinge mechanism components are arranged to provide avoidance space in folded state, then flexible display protection improves, but mismatch gaps appear in unfolded state affecting flatness
Solution Approach 1:
The base support surface has different functional zones: a first area that abuts against the second side of the first rotation plate and a second area that abuts against the second side of the second rotation plate. This local differentiation ensures that each rotation plate is precisely positioned relative to its corresponding area, maintaining overall flatness while providing adequate avoidance space when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sides of the first and second rotation plates are designed to abut against the base support surface in advance before the device is fully unfolded. This preliminary contact ensures proper alignment and positioning of the rotation plates, preventing mismatch gaps from forming as the device transitions to the unfolded state, thereby maintaining support surface flatness.
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 hinge mechanism effectively supports the flexible display in both unfolded and folded states, improving the reliability and longevity of the display by preventing squeezing or stretching.
Implementation Method 1
a first torsion spring may be sleeved on the first pin shaft, a first torsion arm of the first torsion spring may be fastened to the first support arm, and a second torsion arm of the first torsion spring abuts against the first side of the first rotation plate
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge mechanism includes a base, a first rotation component, and a second rotation component, and the first rotation component and the second rotation component are disposed on two sides of the base respectively. The first rotation component includes a first support arm, a first rotation plate, a first pin shaft, and a first torsion spring. The first support arm is rotatably coupled to the base. A first side of the first rotation plate is rotatably coupled to the first support arm via the first pin shaft. The first torsion spring is sleeved on the first pin shaft, a first torsion arm of the first torsion spring is fastened to the first support arm, and a second torsion arm of the first torsion spring abuts against the first side of the first rotation plate.