Foldable Display Hinge Assembly Bending Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display apparatuses struggle to maintain a flat state when unfolded due to empty spaces between housings connected by hinges and their link structure, limiting their ability to provide a large, continuous display area.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a bending portion support assembly and a sliding member that secures the flexible display panel in an unfolded state, using a combination of curved surfaces and torsion springs to control the sliding trajectory and maintain the panel in a flat state, allowing for easy folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display panel is connected using hinges with a link structure to enable folding, then the device can be folded and unfolded, but empty spaces between housings prevent the bending area from maintaining a flat state when unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
A bending portion support assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second housings. This assembly includes a support member that extends into the empty space between housings, and a sliding member that couples to the support member. The intermediary structure fills the gap and provides continuous support to the bending area, enabling the display panel to maintain a flat state when unfolded while preserving folding capability.
2Ease of operation
If a hinge assembly is used to connect housings, then folding and unfolding is enabled, but the link structure creates empty spaces that cause deformation of the display panel
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates a sliding member that can dynamically adjust its position along the bending portion support assembly. This dynamic structure allows the support to adapt during folding and unfolding operations, maintaining contact with the display panel to prevent deformation while enabling smooth folding motion. The sliding mechanism ensures continuous support throughout the range of motion.
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 solution effectively maintains the bending area of the display panel in a flat state, enabling a broad continuous display area and facilitating easy folding and unfolding, while preventing deformation and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first hinge part or the second hinge part includes a curved surface with a predetermined curvature. The curved surface defines the curvature of the bending portion in a folding state, an unfolding state or a folded state of the foldable display device.
Implementation Method 2
the hinge assembly further includes a spring having a first end attached to the bending support assembly and a second end attached to the sliding member to apply resilient force to the sliding member in an unfolding state or folding state.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a hinge assembly in a foldable display device that provides support for a bending portion of a flexible display panel when the foldable display device in an unfolded state. The hinge assembly includes a bending portion support assembly and a sliding member that is slidable relative to the bending portion support assembly as the foldable display device is folded or unfolded. The hinge assembly also includes a surface that abuts the bending portion of the flexible display panel that defines the curvature of the flexible display panel when the foldable display device is rotated from the unfolded state.