Foldable Electronic Device Hinge for Screen Support and Flattening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible screens in foldable electronic devices face issues with damage due to insufficient supporting strength when folded, and incomplete flattening when unfolded, leading to reduced touch sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design featuring symmetrically arranged wings and a lifting plate that supports the bendable area when unfolded, and forms an accommodating space when folded, utilizing a hinge module with synchronized rotating shafts and elastic elements to manage the transition between states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible screen is folded without sufficient support, then the device can be compacted, but the bendable area suffers from pressure and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into multiple components: lifting plate, first wing, second wing, first bearing element, and second bearing element. These segmented components work together to provide distributed support to the bendable area, ensuring adequate strength during folding while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting plate is positioned in advance to support the bendable area before the folding action occurs. The bearing elements are pre-configured to guide the wings through arc-shaped grooves, ensuring that support is already in place when folding begins, preventing damage to the flexible screen.
2Ease of operation
If the flexible screen is unfolded without sufficient supporting strength, then the device can be opened, but the bendable area cannot be completely flattened
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure transitions dynamically between folded and unfolded states. The lifting plate moves between a first position (supporting the bendable area during folding) and a second position (providing continuous support during unfolding). The bearing elements enable smooth dynamic movement of the wings along the arc-shaped grooves, ensuring the screen can be completely flattened when unfolded.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting plate acts as an intermediary between the wings and the bendable area, providing controlled support during the unfolding process. The bearing elements serve as intermediaries that guide the motion of the wings through the arc-shaped grooves, ensuring proper alignment and complete flattening of the flexible screen.
3Reliability
If the bendable area is not completely flattened, then the device structure is simpler, but the flexible screen cannot sense user touches in the bendable area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses thin film components such as the lifting plate and bearing elements that provide necessary support while maintaining flexibility. These thin film structures enable complete flattening of the flexible screen for touch sensitivity without requiring bulky rigid support structures, thus avoiding excessive complexity.
4Device complexity
If the wings pivot without guided motion, then the mechanism is simpler, but the synchronized rotation and support function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped grooves in the wings are designed to convert the rotational motion into controlled linear guidance. As the wings pivot, the bearing elements travel along the arc-shaped grooves, which naturally guide the motion and ensure synchronized rotation. This converts the potential harm of uncontrolled pivoting into beneficial guided motion, achieving reliable synchronization without overly complex mechanisms.
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
Ensures robust support for the flexible screen, maintaining flatness and touch sensitivity in the unfolded state, while accommodating the bendable area in the folded state, enhancing durability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic element is engaged with the lifting plate and the driven cam, and is capable of storing elastic force
Implementation Method 2
The hinge module includes a first shaft and a second shaft respectively penetrating through the body portion and capable of rotating synchronously and reversely
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device includes a central base, a hinge module, a plurality of wings, a plurality of driving element, a plurality of panel bodies, an elastic module and a flexible screen. The hinge module penetrates through the central base and capable of rotating synchronously and reversely. The driving elements are sleeved on and synchronously rotate with the hinge module. The panel bodies are pivotally connected to the wings and can linearly slide relative to the driving element. The flexible screen is disposed on panel bodies and the wings, and has a bendable area. When the panel bodies are in the unfolded status, the flexible screen is flattened, and the wings and the central base support the bendable area. When the panel bodies are in the folded status, the bendable area is bent, and the wings and the central base define an accommodating space for accommodating the bendable area.