Foldable Display Support Plates and Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in portable information devices, such as tablets and smartphones, are prone to instability and production failures due to weak impact resistance when folded, requiring effective support mechanisms to maintain stability and prevent curvature.
Innovation Solution
A portable information device design featuring a hinge mechanism and support plates with an adjustment mechanism to ensure stable support of the display, where support plates are attached to the inner surfaces of chassis members and adjusted to maintain flush surfaces, preventing steps that could cause curvature or failure during folding and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a support member is provided to support the flexible display on the inner surface of the chassis member, then the display stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional movable support structure required for folding
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two separate support plates (first support plate and second support plate) attached to respective chassis members, rather than using a single complex movable support structure. Each support plate is independently positioned and adjusted, simplifying the overall design while maintaining display stability during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plates are pre-positioned and adjusted before final assembly to ensure proper alignment and flush surfaces. The adjustment mechanism allows for preliminary positioning of the support plates relative to the chassis members, preventing misalignment issues that would compromise display stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support member is made movable to enable folding, then the device portability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to steps or curvature in the folded portion
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are designed to be movable relative to the chassis members through adjustment mechanisms, allowing the support structure to adapt to the folding motion. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the support plates maintain proper positioning throughout the folding range of motion, preventing steps or curvature in the display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism enables changing the positional parameters of the support plates relative to the chassis members. By adjusting the attachment positions and orientations of the support plates, the system maintains surface flatness across different folding states, eliminating manufacturing precision issues related to fixed rigid support structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the support plates are rigidly fixed to the chassis members, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate folding motion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rigid fixed connections, the support plates are attached to the chassis members through adjustment mechanisms that allow relative motion. This dynamic attachment method maintains high positioning precision while accommodating the folding motion, as the support plates can adjust their positions during folding without compromising attachment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information device that can stably support a foldable display is provided. A portable information device includes: a first chassis member and a second chassis member, inner end surfaces, which are adjacent edges, of the first chassis member and the second chassis member being coupled to each other by a hinge mechanism so that the first chassis member and the second chassis member are foldable in two; a display that is disposed at inner surfaces of both the first chassis member and the second chassis member and that is foldable in two; and a first support plate and a second support plate supporting a back surface of the display.