Foldable Screen Hinge Locking Structure for Lower-Cost Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hinge structures for flexible screens in mobile terminals are complex, leading to increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hinge design comprising a hinge element with connection holes featuring first and second locking holes, and a connecting clevis pin that switches between these holes to maintain the hinge in unfolded or bent states, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hinge structure is used to install flexible screen, then the hinge can support the flexible display folding and unfolding, but the hinge structure becomes complex and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple hinge elements connected in series, where each hinge element contains a connection hole with first and second locking holes. This segmentation allows the hinge to achieve complex folding functionality through simple rotational movements of individual elements, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting clevis pin can dynamically switch between the first locking hole and the second locking hole, enabling the hinge to transition between different states (unfolded/folded). This dynamic switching mechanism simplifies the hinge structure by using a single movable component instead of multiple fixed mechanical elements.
2Device complexity
If the hinge structure is simplified to reduce costs, then production costs decrease, but the hinge may not properly maintain unfolded or folded states
Solution Approach 1:
The connection hole contains distinct first and second locking holes with different local characteristics. The first locking hole maintains the unfolded state while the second locking hole maintains the folded state. This local differentiation within a single component ensures stable state maintenance while keeping the overall structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting clevis pin automatically engages with either the first or second locking hole based on the hinge's position, providing self-locking functionality. This self-service mechanism maintains hinge states without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, reducing structural complexity while ensuring stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking positions are provided in the connection hole, then the hinge can maintain different states (unfolded/folded), but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection hole serves multiple functions by containing both the first locking hole and the second locking hole. This single component provides adaptability for different hinge states (unfolded/folded) while consolidating what would otherwise require separate components, thereby reducing the cumulative precision requirements across multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second locking holes are nested within the same connection hole structure. This nesting approach allows multiple locking positions to be achieved within a single manufactured feature, reducing the number of separate components and the associated precision requirements for their relative positioning.
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 proposed hinge design reduces production costs by simplifying the structure, prevents length redundancy in the unfolded state, and minimizes the risk of damage to flexible screens due to local stress concentration.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting clevis pin, wherein the connecting clevis pin rotates between the first locking hole and the second locking hole, so that an axis distance between two connecting clevis pins connected to a same hinge element changes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A hinge element (10) includes at least one connection hole (11), and the connection hole (11) includes a first locking hole (110) and a second locking hole (111) that are connected to each other. A communicating position between the first locking hole (110) and the second locking hole (111) narrows for transition. A hinge (20) including the hinge element (10) and a mobile terminal including the hinge (20) are further provided.