Foldable Display Shaft Assembly for Gap and Displacement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current shaft assemblies in flexible electronic devices are complex in structure, leading to enlarged gaps and displacements, affecting the quality and surface effect of the flexible screen due to gaps and assembly tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The electronic assembly incorporates a simplified shaft assembly with first and second rotating members connected to a first shaft case and housings, allowing for synchronized rotation and a crank-slider mechanism to form U-shaped or drop-shaped screens, reducing gaps and improving structural quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex shaft assembly structure is used, then the flexible electronic device can achieve rotation functionality, but the total gaps are enlarged and assembly precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation functionalityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate rotating members into a single integrated rotating member that can simultaneously support multiple flexible screens. This integration eliminates the gaps and tolerance accumulation that occur when multiple separate shaft assemblies are stacked, thereby improving assembly precision while maintaining rotation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the rotating member into different functional regions that can independently support different flexible screens at different locations. This allows the single rotating member to provide rotation functionality for multiple screens while maintaining precise control over each screen's position and reducing overall assembly gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate rotating members are stacked to support multiple flexible screens, then each screen can rotate independently, but the shaft assembly becomes more complex and gaps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent rotation capabilityVSAvoidshaft assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple rotating members into a single integrated rotating member with multiple support locations. This single member can independently support and rotate multiple flexible screens, thereby reducing shaft assembly complexity while maintaining independent rotation capability for each screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating member is designed with multi-functionality to support different types of flexible screens (e.g., foldable, rollable, flexible displays) at different locations. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple rotation functions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a simplified shaft assembly is used, then the structure becomes more compact, but the support rigidity for the flexible screen may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidsupport rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating member is designed with local quality variations, featuring thicker or reinforced regions at specific support locations to provide adequate rigidity for each flexible screen. This allows the overall structure to remain compact while maintaining necessary local support strength where the screens are mounted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction for the rotating member, combining materials with different mechanical properties to achieve both compactness and rigidity. The composite structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring sufficient support rigidity while maintaining a compact overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4099666B1Electronic assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4099666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4099666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4099666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic assembly (1) includes a shaft assembly (2) and housings (3) arranged oppositely. The shaft assembly (2) includes a first shaft case (10), first rotating members (20), and rotating units (30). The first rotating members (20) are at least partially disposed at two opposite sides of the first shaft case (10). Each of the first rotating members (20) has one end rotatably connected with the first shaft case (10) and the other end connected with the housings (3). The rotating units (30) are at least partially disposed at the two opposite sides of the first shaft case (10). Each of the rotating units (30) includes a second rotating member (31) and a movable plate (32). The second rotating member (31) has one end rotatably connected with the first shaft case (10) and the other end connected with the movable plate (32). The movable plate (32) has one end connected to the housings (3). By using a small number of components, the first rotating member (20) is connected with the first shaft case (10) and the housing (3), and the second rotating member (31) is connected with the first shaft case (10) and the movable plate (32). Thus, the housings (3) and the movable plates (32) can be bent to realize bending of the electronic assembly (1), which reduces an accumulated amount of displacements after falling, improves a quality of the shaft assembly (2), and ensures precision of the shaft assembly (2). An electronic device (4) is further provided.