Foldable Screen Hinge Assembly for Compact Wrinkle Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hinge components for foldable screens occupy a large space and fail to provide effective support, leading to wrinkles and deformation during folding, which is not conducive to lightweight structure stacking in terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

A hinge component with a support assembly comprising at least three movably connected support members and a linkage assembly that achieves mutual linkage and left-right synchronization, allowing for a refined support structure that reduces space occupation while effectively supporting the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hinge component uses a conventional single support member design, then the structure is simple, but it occupies large space and cannot provide effective support to prevent wrinkles and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport effectivenessVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is divided into multiple support members (first support member, second support member, third support member) that are movably connected. Each support member provides localized support to different regions of the flexible screen, improving overall support effectiveness while reducing the volume of each individual component through the movable connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the hinge component increases the number of support members to improve support effectiveness, then it can better support the flexible screen, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are movably connected through guide portions that allow relative movement between adjacent support members. This dynamic connection enables the support members to adapt to the folding motion of the flexible screen, providing effective support across multiple regions without requiring a complex rigid structure. The movable connection reduces structural complexity compared to a fully rigid multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the hinge component uses a compact design to reduce space occupation, then it facilitates lightweight structure stacking, but it may compromise the support effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupationVSAvoidsupport effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction, creating a distributed support structure along the length of the flexible screen. This longitudinal arrangement allows the hinge component to maintain a compact width (reducing space occupation) while providing extended support coverage through multiple support members, thus maintaining support effectiveness in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables a compact, reliable, and lightweight hinge design that prevents wrinkles and deformation during screen folding, facilitating lightweight structure stacking and supporting various screen specifications.

Implementation Method 1

the first sliding groove is slidably connected with the second lever of the second guide portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the first lever comprises a rotating shaft structure, the second guide portion comprises a second sliding groove, and the first lever is slidably connected with the second sliding groove of the second guide portion through the rotating shaft structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotating: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP4181490A1Hinge component, foldable screen assembly and foldable terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4181490A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4181490A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4181490A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A hinge component (100), a foldable screen assembly and a foldable terminal device are provided. The hinge component (100) includes a support assembly (1) and a linkage assembly (2), the support assembly (1) includes at least three support members (11), the at least three support members (11) are arranged side by side, and two adjacent support members (11) are movably connected. The linkage assembly (2) is connected with the at least three support members (11) to achieve a mutual linkage of the at least three support members (11).