Foldable Display Hinge Mechanism for Gap-Free Flat Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable display devices face issues with gaps between support members causing recesses when folded, leading to unusable touch panels, and complex mechanisms with protruding hinge portions when deployed.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display device with a hinge member connecting two housings and support members, allowing relative rotation and sliding connections to maintain a flat plane during deployment, eliminating gaps and protrusions, and using magnets or retention mechanisms to control the opening and closing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the first and second receiving portions only rotate about the hinge to support the display panel, then the mechanism is simple, but a gap (step) is created between the receiving portions and the movable support member causing recess in the soft display panel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static rotating receiving portions into dynamic components that can both rotate and translate. The receiving portions are configured to move along the longitudinal direction of the hinge during folding, dynamically adjusting their position to maintain contact with the display panel and eliminate gaps, while still providing rotational support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (the movable support member with rotary levers) that mediates between the receiving portions and the display panel. This intermediary component fills the gap created by simple rotation and provides continuous support, preventing recess in the soft display panel while allowing the receiving portions to maintain their simple rotational function.
2Manufacturing precision
If a sliding retention member is used to prevent display panel recess, then the display panel is protected from gaps, but the mechanism becomes complex and the first housing has a protruding shape when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the support function and the gap-filling function into a single integrated structure. The receiving portions themselves are designed to move along the hinge's longitudinal direction while supporting the display panel, combining what were previously separate functions (rotation for support and translation for gap elimination) into one unified mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving portions serve multiple functions: they provide rotational support when rotating about the hinge, and simultaneously provide translational movement along the hinge's longitudinal direction to eliminate gaps. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sliding retention members, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining support surface flatness.
3Volume of moving object
If the first and second receiving portions rotate about the hinge to support the display panel, then the housing unit is compact when folded, but a projection of the hinge portion appears when the housing unit is deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portions dynamically adjust their position along the hinge's longitudinal direction based on the folding state. When folded, they rotate to maintain compactness; when deployed, they translate to retract behind the hinge, eliminating the projection problem while preserving the compact folded form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing unit of a display device according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a hinge member, a first housing, a second housing, a first lifter, a second lifter, and shafts. A link groove is provided in the first housing, a link groove is provided in the second housing, and in a state in which the housing unit is open at 180 degrees, the hinge member, the first lifter, and the second lifter are aligned on the same plane.