Foldable Display Hinge with Magnetic Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable flexible display devices face damage due to excessive folding, as they lack mechanisms to ensure smooth curvature and prevent deformation of the display screen during folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A foldable flexible display device with a hinge member that includes link assemblies, link pins, and a leaf spring or magnetic substances to facilitate smooth folding and unfolding, preventing excessive deformation by allowing controlled bending and curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible display device is made foldable to reduce volume and improve portability, then the device can be carried more conveniently, but the display screen may be damaged due to excessive folding or improper curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is divided into multiple link assemblies (first, second, third link assemblies) connected by link pins, creating a segmented structure that can fold in controlled increments. This segmentation allows the display to bend through multiple small-angle rotations rather than one large bend, reducing stress on the display screen while achieving the desired folding functionality for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the folding parameter by controlling the curvature radius through the mechanical structure of the hinge member. The link assemblies are designed with specific geometric parameters that enforce a minimum curvature radius, preventing the display from being folded too tightly. This parameter control ensures the display maintains structural integrity while still achieving compact folding for improved portability.
2Ease of operation
If the hinge member allows free folding to improve ease of operation, then the device can be folded and unfolded more easily, but the display may deform due to uncontrolled folding
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member employs magnetic forces between magnetic substances to create a dynamic balancing mechanism. The magnetic attraction and repulsion forces dynamically adjust during folding, providing smooth motion guidance that maintains a consistent curvature radius. This dynamic force balance allows easy folding operation while preventing display deformation through controlled mechanical guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical hinge components (such as pins and joints with clearance) with a magnetic field-based linkage system. The magnetic substances create force fields that guide the folding motion without physical contact, eliminating mechanical play and ensuring smooth, controlled curvature. This substitution maintains ease of operation while precisely controlling display shape during folding.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hinge structures are used to enable folding, then the device can be made foldable, but the link assemblies and link pins may collide and cause damage during folding
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic substances are introduced as intermediary elements between the link assemblies and link pins. These magnetic components create attractive and repulsive forces that guide the relative motion of adjacent links, preventing direct collision between solid components. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that maintains proper spacing and alignment during folding, enabling versatile folding capability while eliminating collision damage risks.
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 device can be safely folded and unfolded with smooth curvature, preventing damage to the display screen and enhancing the reliability and portability of flexible display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first leaf spring that surrounds the outer side of the hinge member, with one end connected to the first plate and the other end connected to the second plate, and has elasticity
Implementation Method 2
the link assembly and the link pin may be provided with magnetic substances having the same polarity on the contact surfaces and accordingly rotated by the repulsive force of the magnetic substances
Implementation Method 3
a soft plate member that is attached to the inner side of the hinge member, mounted on the inner sides of the first and second plates, and helps folding by being selectively attached, by a magnetic force, to first and second magnets spaced from each other on the first plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a foldable flexible display device. A foldable flexible display device according to the present invention includes: first and second plates having a predetermined area; a hinge member for connecting the first plate and the second plate; and a flexible display screen attached to the tops of the first plate and the second plate and the hinge member, in which the hinge member folds the first plate and the second plate and the flexible display screen while folding with smooth curvature. According to this configuration, the operation for folding or unfolding the screen of a flexible display device can be smoothly operated and damage to the display screen can be prevented, resulting in remarkable improvement in reliability of a product.