Foldable Display Hinge With Lost Motion and Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices experience unreliable folding and unfolding operations due to stresses caused by repeated folding and unfolding, leading to potential damage and noise.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a hinge with a lost motion connection and biasing members, such as magnets or elastic members, to reduce stresses and control torque during folding and unfolding, allowing for smooth and reliable operation while maintaining angles and minimizing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hinge is used for folding and unfolding operations, then the display device can be folded and unfolded, but stresses are generated during these operations leading to unreliable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding and unfolding capabilityVSAvoidreliability of folding and unfolding operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into multiple components: a first member, a second member, and a lost motion connection mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific stresses independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining folding capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A lost motion connection is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second members. This connection absorbs stresses generated during folding and unfolding operations, preventing stress transmission that would compromise reliability while still enabling the folding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sliding members are coupled between hinge member and support members, then tensile and compressive forces are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of tensile and compressive forcesVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sliding members are introduced as intermediary elements between the hinge member and support members. These sliding members facilitate smooth relative movement while reducing tensile and compressive forces through controlled friction and geometric design, thereby improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional rigid mechanical connection is replaced with a sliding connection that allows controlled movement. This substitution reduces stress transmission while maintaining structural integrity, achieving improved reliability with acceptable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If biasing members are included to control torque, then folding and unfolding become easier, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of folding and unfoldingVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Biasing members are integrated into the hinge mechanism to automatically control torque during folding and unfolding operations. The biasing members provide self-regulating force that assists the user during operation, improving ease of use while maintaining acceptable device complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables reliable folding and unfolding of foldable display devices, reduces stress and noise, and maintains the angle between display portions in both folded and unfolded positions, enhancing the durability and usability of the devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first support member and a second support member disposed on a surface of the display panel and respectively including first biasing members; a first member and a second member that are respectively slideably coupled to the first support member and the second support member and respectively include second biasing members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lost motion connection may be formed by sliding members slideably coupled between the hinge member and support members that support the display panel in the foldable display device such that a tensile or compressive forces generated in the display panel due to the folding and unfolding operations are reduced or eliminated. Further, the sliding member may include one of more biasing members such as magnetic or elastic members to control the torque generated when folding or unfolding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11553613B2Foldable display device

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable display device includes a display panel; a first support member and a second support member disposed on a surface of the display panel and respectively including first biasing members; a first member and a second member that are respectively slideably coupled to the first support member and the second support member and respectively include second biasing members; and a hinge member connected to the first member and the second member to vary an angle between the first member and the second member with respect to at least one rotation axis.