Foldable Display Hinge Isolation Pad for Quiet Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In foldable electronic devices with flexible displays, the folding or unfolding process can cause abnormal sounds due to collisions or rubbing of internal parts, which affect the user experience.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a rotating shaft apparatus with a metal support sheet and an isolation pad that isolates the flexible display from structural members, reducing the likelihood of scratches and abnormal sounds during folding or unfolding by using a simple and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a flexible display is used in a foldable electronic device to enable compact form factor, then the device can be folded to reduce size, but abnormal sounds are generated during folding or unfolding due to collision or rubbing of internal parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidabnormal sound
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an isolation pad as an intermediary component between the flexible display and the rotating shaft apparatus. This isolation pad acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact and collision between the flexible display and other internal structural members during the folding and unfolding process, thereby eliminating the source of abnormal sounds while preserving the foldable form factor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the flexible display is directly exposed to structural members in the rotating shaft apparatus, then the structure is simpler, but the flexible display is susceptible to structural damage from impact during folding or unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidflexible display reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation pad serves as a protective intermediary layer positioned between the flexible display and the rotating shaft apparatus structure. This intermediate component absorbs impact forces and prevents direct transmission of mechanical stress to the flexible display, thereby enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolation pad is pre-installed as a cushioning component before the flexible display is assembled into the rotating shaft apparatus. This beforehand cushioning protection is in place to prevent structural damage from potential impact during folding or unfolding operations, ensuring the flexible display is protected in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4654176A1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4654176A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4654176A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4654176A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes a flexible display and a rotating shaft apparatus. The rotating shaft apparatus is disposed on a backlight side of the flexible display. The rotating shaft apparatus includes a shaft base, a swing arm assembly, a door plate assembly, a metal support sheet, and an isolation pad. The swing arm assembly includes a first swing arm and a second swing arm. The first swing arm and the second swing arm are disposed on two sides of the shaft base. Both the first swing arm and the second swing arm are rotatably connected to the shaft base. The door plate assembly includes a first door plate connected to the first swing arm and a second door plate connected to the second swing arm. The metal support sheet is disposed between the door plate assembly and the flexible display. A connection end of the metal support sheet is connected to the first door plate. A free end of the metal support sheet is located on one side that is of the second door plate and that faces the flexible display. The free end is in a free state relative to the second door plate. The isolation pad is connected to the metal support sheet. In a length direction of the shaft base, the isolation pad covers at least a part of the free end. The isolation pad isolates the second door plate from the free end.