Foldable OLED Hinge Side Cover for Shock-Resistant Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable display devices with hinge mechanisms suffer from damage due to stepped portions and discontinuous exposure structures, which are vulnerable to shock, and require complex assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A foldable display device with a folding hinge that utilizes a plurality of segmented members, including protrusion shafts and grooves, connected without a hinge pin, ensuring a smooth and durable folding mechanism, and a side cover to protect the panel from damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multilink hinge or 2-axis folding hinge is used to enable folding and unfolding operation, then the display device can achieve folding functionality, but stepped portions or discontinuous exposure structures are created that make the panel vulnerable to shock damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding functionalityVSAvoiddurability against shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple segmented members (first hinge member, second hinge member, third hinge member) that can independently rotate and fold. This segmentation allows the hinge to achieve folding functionality while distributing mechanical stress across multiple segments, preventing concentrated shock damage at single stepped portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge members are nested together in a compact arrangement where the first, second, and third hinge members are positioned adjacent to each other with overlapping structures. This nesting minimizes the overall height and reduces the formation of prominent stepped portions that could be vulnerable to shock, while still enabling full folding range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hinge mechanism with stepped portions is used to enable folding operation, then folding and unfolding can be achieved, but the complex structure increases assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple hinge components are merged into integrated hinge members with combined functions. Each hinge member integrates rotation, support, and positioning functions in a single component, reducing the total number of separate parts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge members are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously provide structural support, enable rotation, and facilitate folding. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby simplifying both the overall structure and the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a hinge mechanism with discontinuous exposure structure is used, then folding functionality is achieved, but the exposed portions create vulnerability to external loads and shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to external load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible protective films or shells are applied to cover the exposed hinge portions and minimize their vulnerability to external loads. These flexible protective layers conform to the curved surfaces of the hinge members, providing shock absorption and protection while allowing the folding mechanism to remain accessible and functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Protective structures or cushioning elements are pre-installed on the hinge members to absorb and distribute external loads before they can reach the vulnerable stepped portions. This beforehand cushioning protects the hinge mechanism from shock damage during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4276579B1Display device

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

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AI summary

A display device includes: an organic light emitting panel (10) including a first display region, a second display region, and a bending region between the first display region and the second display region, the bending region including a folding hinge region with a folding hinge (300a); a first set frame (120) supporting the first display region; and a second set frame (140) supporting the second display region and adjacent to the first set frame (120) with the bending region interposed therebetween, wherein a side surface of the folding hinge (300a) and a side edge of the organic light emitting panel (10) are surrounded by a side cover (350) in the folding hinge region, wherein the folding hinge (300a) is formed of a metal material, and wherein the side cover (350) is formed of a plastic material.