Foldable Display Linkage With Pinion Gears for Compact Unfolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display apparatuses with large screens require significant driving devices to fold and unfold, resulting in inefficient space usage and lacking aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus featuring an improved link structure with internal links, opposing links, and pinion gears, along with a hinge mechanism and linear motors, allows for easy unfolding with small forces, enabling the screen to be efficiently folded and unfolded while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a driving device of fairly large size is used to cope with weight of a large screen, then the screen can be unfolded or folded, but the display apparatus does not have an aesthetical value sufficiently and also inefficiently takes up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The link member is divided into multiple links (first link, second link, third link) connected through hinges, allowing the driving function to be distributed across several smaller components rather than requiring a single large driving device. This segmentation enables compact folding while maintaining the ability to support and unfold the large screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The link structure allows the display apparatus to fold into a compact nested configuration when not in use, with the first plate and second plate folding against each other. The driving mechanism itself folds within the structure, eliminating the need for external large driving devices and improving aesthetic appearance.
2Ease of operation
If a driving device of fairly large size is used to cope with weight of a large screen, then the screen can be unfolded or folded, but the display apparatus inefficiently takes up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The link structure provides dynamic movement capability, allowing the display apparatus to transition between folded and unfolded states. The hinges and links enable smooth rotational movement, making the large screen easy to deploy and store without requiring excessive space in either state.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism utilizes rotational movement in multiple dimensions through the hinge connections. The first and second plates can fold in different directions and planes, optimizing space utilization by transforming the spatial configuration rather than simply compressing in one direction.
3Force
If an improved link structure with pinion gears is used, then small forces can easily unfold the display apparatus, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion gear mechanism replaces the need for large external motors or complex mechanical advantage systems. By using gear interlocking between the first and second links, the system converts rotational motion into linear motion efficiently, reducing the force required to unfold while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple and integrated.
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 the display apparatus to be easily unfolded with minimal force, maintaining a compact form when not in use and providing a seamless, large-screen experience without visible hinges, thus addressing the inefficiencies of traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a pinion gear interlocking the first opposing link and the second opposing link
Implementation Method 2
a hinge member rotatably connecting the first link member to the second link member
Implementation Method 3
The driving source is a linear motor
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus comprises a first plate including a first display panel and a first link member, wherein the first link member includes a first internal link configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the first link member, a second plate including a second display panel and a second link member, wherein the second link member includes a second internal link configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the second link member and a hinge member rotatably connecting the first link member to the second link member to thereby rotatably connect the first display panel to the second display panel, wherein at least of the first internal link and the second internal link include a first opposing link including a first rack, a second opposing link including a second rack facing the first rack, and a pinion gear interlocking the first opposing link and the second opposing link.