Foldable Display Hinge Heat Sink Layout for Even Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices experience uneven heat dissipation and inefficient space utilization due to the placement of flexible circuit boards and heat sinks, leading to potential damage and increased device size.

Innovation Solution

The flexible heat sink is designed to pass through the rotating shaft assembly, with its ends connected to the frames, and is covered by a cross beam to maintain even heat distribution and reduce deformation, while the flexible circuit board is positioned to avoid interference and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible circuit board reserves an extra length to implement unfolded and folded states, then the flexibility and range of motion are improved, but the space occupied increases and the risk of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible circuit board is nested within the rotating shaft assembly, specifically routed through the shaft cavity and secured to the shaft components. This nesting approach allows the flexible circuit board to achieve the necessary flexibility for folding while containing it within the existing shaft structure, avoiding additional space occupation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the flexible circuit board is redundant in the rotating shaft to prevent breaking, then the reliability is improved, but the space occupied by the flexible circuit board increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible circuit board is merged with the rotating shaft assembly by routing it through the shaft cavity and securing it to shaft components. This integration allows the flexible circuit board to be protected against damage while utilizing the existing shaft structure, avoiding additional space occupation that would result from separate protection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If two graphite sheets are separately attached to the two bodies for heat dissipation, then the heat dissipation coverage is improved, but heat transfer between the two bodies is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation coverageVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A single flexible heat sink is used instead of two separate graphite sheets, serving multiple functions: it provides heat dissipation coverage on both the first and second bodies while simultaneously maintaining thermal connection between them through the rotating shaft assembly. This multi-functional approach eliminates the heat transfer barrier created by separate sheets

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

4Ease of manufacture

If the flexible heat sink is not located in the rotating shaft assembly, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the flexible heat sink deforms and changes position during folding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible heat sink is pre-positioned and secured to the rotating shaft assembly during assembly, with its ends fixed to shaft components and its intermediate portion positioned within the shaft cavity. This preliminary positioning ensures that the flexible heat sink maintains its intended configuration and prevents deformation or position changes during subsequent folding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design ensures even heat dissipation, reduces the risk of damage to components, and optimizes space utilization, enhancing the stability and usability of the foldable display device.

Implementation Method 1

heat transfer between the first frame and the second frame through the flexible heat sink may be implemented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4329274B1Folding screen device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4329274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4329274B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4329274B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A foldable display device includes a first frame, a second frame, a rotating shaft assembly, and a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board passes through the rotating shaft assembly, and the rotating shaft assembly includes a shaft seat, a door plate, a first support plate, and a second support plate. The door plate is mounted on the shaft seat, the first support plate and the second support plate are slidably connected to the shaft seat, and are distributed on two sides of the door plate. An end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the door plate and an end that is of the second support plate and that is close to the door plate can move in a direction away from the door plate, and an end that is of the first support plate and that is away from the door plate and an end that is of the second support plate and that is away from the door plate can move close to each other. The foldable display device further includes a flexible heat sink, two opposite ends of the flexible heat sink are connected to the first frame and the second frame, and two opposite ends of a part of the flexible heat sink in the rotating shaft assembly are respectively fastened to a first fastening surface that is of the first support plate and that faces the shaft seat and a second fastening surface that is of the second support plate and that faces the shaft seat, to avoid uneven heat dissipation between two frames, and locate the two opposite ends of a part of the flexible heat sink in the rotating shaft assembly.