Foldable Display Hinge Mechanism to Prevent Squeezing Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable electronic devices suffer from damage to their flexible displays due to the bending position being easily squeezed during the folding process, which affects the service life of the display.

Innovation Solution

A rotating mechanism is introduced, comprising a fixed base, flexible support member, and rotating members that allow the flexible support member to bend and unfold, providing space to prevent squeezing and creasing of the display, while also reducing the thickness of the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional foldable electronic device is folded, then the device can be made portable, but the bending position of the flexible display is easily squeezed causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddisplay service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed to move from a flat two-dimensional state to a three-dimensional bent state during folding. By introducing the bending dimension, the support member creates additional space that prevents squeezing of the display at the folding position, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and display reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member transitions from a static flat structure to a dynamic structure that can bend and change shape. This dynamic capability allows the support member to adapt its configuration during folding operations, creating necessary space to protect the display while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the flexible support member is kept flat, then the device structure is simple, but the bending position of the display is squeezed during folding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport member structureVSAvoidsqueezing damage to display
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed as a dynamic component that remains flat during normal operation but bends into a three-dimensional configuration during folding. This dynamic transformation enables the support member to protect the display from squeezing while maintaining structural simplicity during non-folding states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a rotating mechanism is added to enable bending space, then the display is protected from damage, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoidrotating mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed as a flexible component that can bend and deform. This flexible structure eliminates the need for complex rotating mechanisms with multiple parts, achieving display protection through a simpler, more integrated flexible design that reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of creating bending space from a complex rotating mechanism and implements it through a simpler flexible support member that can naturally bend. This extraction of the core function removes unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining the protective capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4184487B1Rotating mechanism and foldable electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4184487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4184487B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4184487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a rotating mechanism and a foldable electronic device. The rotating mechanism includes a fixed base, a flexible support member, a first rotating member, and a second rotating member. A first rotating body of the first rotating member is installed in a first rotating groove of the fixed base and is slidable along the first rotating groove. When the first rotating body rotates relative to the fixed base along the first rotating groove, the flexible support member is driven to bend or unfold. A second rotating body is installed in a second rotating groove of the fixed base and is slidable along the second rotating groove. When the second rotating body rotates relative to the fixed base along the second rotating groove, the flexible support member is driven to bend or unfold. A rotation direction of the second rotating member and a rotation direction of the first rotating member are opposite. The rotating mechanism provided in this application can resolve a technical problem that a display is easily squeezed when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state.