Foldable Hinge Mechanism with Sliding Spring Stiffener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern foldable display devices face challenges in achieving a balance between portability and functionality due to complex hinge mechanisms that can cause stress and damage, leading to unnatural folding motions and excessive compression or tension on components.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism comprising a spring stiffener sheet made of high yield strength steel, positioned between display stiffeners, which allows for natural folding and unfolding while maintaining desired contours and planarity, using magnets to hold the device in a folded configuration and a compliant foam display support to absorb stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex hinge mechanisms are used to support folding and unfolding, then the device can achieve foldable functionality, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to failure and introduces stress that may damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct sections (first section, second section, bendable section) that can move independently relative to each other. The hinge mechanism is segmented into multiple components including first and second housings, display stiffeners, and a spring stiffener, allowing each part to perform its specific function while reducing overall system complexity and failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
A compliant foam display support is positioned at the bendable section to provide cushioning and stress absorption during folding and unfolding operations. This pre-positioned cushioning element protects the display and internal components from excessive compression and tension forces that would otherwise cause damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex hinge mechanisms are used to support folding and unfolding, then the device can achieve foldable functionality, but the folding motion becomes artificial and components experience excessive compression and tension
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant foam display support is positioned at the bendable section to provide cushioning and stress absorption during folding and unfolding operations. This pre-positioned cushioning element protects the display and internal components from excessive compression and tension forces that would otherwise cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring stiffener is designed with specific material properties (high yield strength steel) and geometric parameters (thickness, length) that allow it to flex and deform in a controlled manner during folding. The spring constant and material yield strength are selected to match the folding radius requirements, enabling natural folding motion while preventing excessive stress on components.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is folded to a small form factor, then portability is improved, but the stacking thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct sections (first section, second section, bendable section) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the display to fold into a compact configuration while maintaining a relatively thin profile, as each section can be optimized for its specific function and thickness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible housing design is employed that allows the device to fold while maintaining a thin profile. The housing includes flexible portions that can bend without adding significant thickness, and the overall structure is designed to achieve a small form factor in folded configuration while controlling stacking thickness through careful selection of material thicknesses and structural geometry.
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 solution provides a simple, reliable mechanism for guiding and supporting the folding and unfolding of foldable displays, maintaining the display within allowable bending limits, reducing the risk of damage and allowing for reduced stacking thickness while maintaining planarity and natural motion.
Implementation Method 1
a second end portion movable in a space formed between the second housing and the second display stiffener
Implementation Method 2
the display support is in a compressed state in a folded configuration of the foldable OLED display, and the display support is in an expanded state in an unfolded configuration
Implementation Method 3
a compliant foam material that is conformable to a contour of the bendable section
Implementation Method 4
using magnets to hold the device in a folded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge mechanism that supports and guides the folding and unfolding of the foldable device including the foldable layer. The hinge mechanism may include a spring stiffener made of a high yield strength material to support the folding and the unfolding of the foldable device. The spring stiffener may have a first end thereof fixed to a first portion of a housing of the computing device, and a second end thereof that is slidable relative to a second portion of the housing. The sliding of the second end of the spring stiffener may accommodate the bending of a bendable section of the foldable layer.