Foldable Hinge Locking Structure for Flexible Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deformable displays in electronic devices are structurally weak and prone to damage during unintended use or misuse.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device with a hinge locking structure that includes magnets and a pin mechanism to prevent damage by ensuring the device is maintained in its intended unfolded or folded states, using sensors to detect abnormal postures and adjusting hinge structures to accommodate flexible displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable display is used to enable folding, then portability and screen size flexibility are improved, but structural weakness and susceptibility to damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge locking structure proactively locks the hinge at specific angles (0°, 180°, or intermediate positions) before damage can occur during unintended folding. Sensors detect potential abnormal folding attempts and trigger the locking mechanism in advance, preventing the display from being damaged by improper manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure acts as an intermediary between the hinge and the display, controlling and regulating the folding motion. It mediates the interaction by allowing only predetermined folding angles, thereby protecting the display from excessive or incorrect folding forces while maintaining the desired portability.
2Reliability
If a hinge locking structure is added to prevent damage, then display durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based locking system. Magnets and magnetic sensors detect hinge angles and trigger locking without requiring complex mechanical linkages, reducing the overall mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction) as the hinge moves to detect predetermined angles. By monitoring magnetic field parameter changes rather than using complex mechanical position sensors, the system achieves angle detection with simpler components.
3Device complexity
If magnets are used for the locking mechanism, then structural simplicity is improved, but sensitivity to external magnetic interference worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors magnetic field parameters and compares them against predetermined thresholds corresponding to valid folding angles (0°, 180°). When the magnetic field indicates an abnormal angle, the feedback loop triggers the locking mechanism to prevent damage, thereby compensating for potential magnetic interference through active correction.
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
The hinge locking structure reduces damage to the display by maintaining the device in the correct configuration, thereby protecting the flexible display from unintended folding.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge locking structure which, in an abnormal state of the electronic device in which a portion of the first surface is adjacent to the second surface, faces the first magnet
Implementation Method 2
The first hinge structure and the second hinge structure may be configured to provide an unfolded state in which the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface face the same direction or a folded state
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device may include a first housing including a first surface, a second housing including a second surface, a third housing including a third surface, a first hinge structure rotatably connecting the second housing and the first housing, a second hinge structure rotatably connecting the first housing and the third housing, a flexible display disposed on the first surface, the second surface and the third surface, a first magnet disposed in the second housing, and a hinge locking structure which, in an abnormal state of the electronic device in which a portion of the first surface is adjacent to the second surface, faces the first magnet and which includes a pin insertable into a groove formed in at least one shaft in the second hinge structure.