Foldable Display Hinge With Semicircular Support Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable smart phones with outfolding display structures face issues during folding due to pulling forces from depth differences between inner and outer housing shells, and insufficient support for the flexible display in a folded state, leading to display damage.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design for foldable display devices featuring a base seat, torsion module, and bracket unit that includes outer and inner supporting units and torsion plate units, allowing for rotation between unfolded, infolding, and outfolding positions, creating a semicircular-shaped supporting surface to secure the display unit and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible display is folded in the outfolding structure, then the display dimension is increased and portability is improved, but the flexible display is subject to pulling forces due to depth differences between inner and outer housing shells
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flexible display and the housing shells. It includes a bracket unit with first and second brackets that can rotate relative to each other, and a torsion module with torsion plate units that provide elastic deformation. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the pulling forces generated during folding, preventing direct transmission of stress to the flexible display.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion module changes the physical state of the system by introducing elastic deformation through torsion plate units. These plate units can twist and deform elastically to accommodate the depth differences between inner and outer housing shells, transforming the rigid folding motion into a more compliant movement that reduces pulling forces on the display.
2Device complexity
If the hinge provides minimal support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flexible display is not sufficiently supported in a folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into multiple functional units: a bracket unit with rotating brackets, a torsion module with torsion plate units, and a support structure with supporting tubes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the brackets provide rotational movement, the torsion plates provide elastic compliance, and the supporting tubes provide structural support - while working together to adequately support the flexible display without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge incorporates dynamic elements including rotating brackets that can change their relative positions, and torsion plate units that can elastically deform. This dynamic capability allows the support structure to adapt to different folding states (unfolded, partially folded, fully folded) and provide appropriate support levels in each state, ensuring display reliability throughout the folding range.
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 effectively alleviates the pulling forces and provides adequate support to the flexible display, preventing damage and ensuring proper functionality across various folding states.
Implementation Method 1
The torsion module includes two outer supporting units which are respectively disposed on front and rear ends of the base seat and which extend in the front-rear direction, an inner supporting unit which is disposed on the base seat and which extends in the front-rear direction, and at least one pair of torsion plate units which are disposed between the inner supporting unit and one of the outer supporting units
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge is mountable on a flexible display unit including a housing shell unit and a display unit. The hinge includes a base seat, a torsion module disposed above the base seat and secured to the display unit, and a bracket module disposed below the base seat. The torsion module includes two outer supporting units and an inner supporting unit at two ends and a middle of the base seat. The bracket module has two brackets securely connected to two support plates of the display unit and rotatable relative to the base seat. The hinge is rotatable between an unfolded position where the brackets are in an unfolded state, and an outfolding position where the brackets are close to and face each other. The outer and inner supporting units cooperatively define a semicircular-shaped supporting surface in the outfolding position for supporting the display unit.