Foldable Phone Hinge Assembly for Display Compression-Free Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable displays in mobile terminals are prone to damage due to compression or tension during folding, and existing hinges either compress the display or create gaps that affect the integrity and portability of the device.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a main body with symmetrically disposed first and second folding assemblies, each comprising swing links, swing arms, driven arms, and support plates, which rotate and slide to extend or contract the hinge length, providing accommodation space for the flexible display without compressing it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the hinge length does not change during folding, then the hinge structure is simple, but the flexible display is compressed and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs a dynamic length adjustment mechanism where the hinge length changes during folding and unfolding. The folding assembly includes swing links and driven arms that rotate and slide to extend or contract the hinge length, matching the flexible display's bending radius and preventing compression or tension damage.
2Reliability
If the flexible display is slidably disposed on housing to prevent compression, then the flexible display is protected, but hollow areas are formed reducing screen-to-body ratio and accumulating impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge introduces a flexible display accommodation assembly as an intermediary component between the flexible display and housing. This assembly includes swing links, swing arms, and support plates that provide a controlled path for the flexible display during folding, preventing direct contact with housing surfaces and eliminating hollow areas where impurities could accumulate.
3Device complexity
If the hinge uses a single shaft, then the hinge structure is simple, but the flexible display is creased or damaged due to insufficient deformation space
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge divides the folding mechanism into multiple segmented components including swing links, swing arms, driven arms, and support plates. Each component performs a specific function in the folding sequence, providing sufficient deformation space for the flexible display through coordinated movement rather than a single rigid shaft.
4Ease of operation
If the hinge folding assembly creates a bulged baseball-shaped structure, then the folding function is achieved, but the overall thickness increases and foreign matters accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge nesting the folding assembly components within each other during folding. The swing links, swing arms, and driven arms are arranged to nest compactly, and the support plates are positioned to enclose the flexible display without creating external protrusions, maintaining a flat overall profile.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge and a mobile terminal to resolve poor use effect of a foldable electronic device. The hinge includes a main body, and a first folding assembly and a second folding assembly that are symmetrically disposed along the main body. When the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are rotated toward each other, a length of the hinge can be extended, and an accommodation space for accommodating the flexible display can be formed. When the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are rotated away from each other, the length of the hinge can be reduced, and a support surface for supporting the flexible display can be formed, so that the flexible display cannot be stretched, compressed, or the like during folding and unfolding, thereby improving the use effect and safety of the mobile terminal.