Foldable Screen Hinge Structure for Flat Unfolding and Bend Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic devices with flexible screens face issues such as damage to the bendable area when folded or inability to fully flatten when unfolded, and existing linkage structures increase the overall thickness due to long moving distances of internal components.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design incorporating a central base with pivot modules, transmission members, synchronization modules, and elastic modules that allow for synchronized movement of wing members and panel bodies, creating an accommodation space for the bendable area during folding, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing linkage structures are used to provide accommodation space for the bendable area, then the flexible screen can be protected during folding, but the moving distance of internal components becomes long, resulting in an increase in the overall thickness of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arc-shaped sliding paths for the transmission members, where the first and second transmission members slide along arc-shaped trajectories during the folding process. This curved motion path allows the wing members to pivot and create accommodation space for the bendable area while keeping the displacement distance short, thereby avoiding increase in housing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the linear sliding motion into rotational pivoting motion around virtual axes. The wing members pivot relative to the body portion with inner virtual axes as centers, and the carrying members pivot with outer virtual axes, converting one-dimensional linear displacement into two-dimensional rotational motion, which reduces the required moving distance.
2Reliability
If the wing members and panel bodies are designed to pivot and create accommodation space, then the flexible screen is protected during folding, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The transmission members simultaneously serve as both the pivoting mechanism and the accommodation space creator. The synchronization module integrates the control of both wing members into a single coordinated system, reducing the number of independent control mechanisms needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing members serve multiple functions: they act as structural support elements, provide the pivoting mechanism for creating accommodation space, and simultaneously protect the bendable area during folding. The lifting plate also serves dual purposes by adjusting position and contributing to the overall structural integrity.
3Shape
If the lifting plate is positioned at the highest position during unfolding, then the flexible screen can be fully flattened, but the mechanism requires greater moving distance
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission members follow arc-shaped sliding paths with defined radii (first radius and second radius). This curved trajectory allows the lifting plate to reach the highest position and achieve full flattening of the flexible screen while limiting the linear displacement distance through rotational geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device is provided and includes a central base, a pivot module, two wing members, two transmission members, two panel bodies, a synchronization module, an elastic module and a flexible screen. The pivot module is disposed in the central base and can reverse synchronously. The wing members can pivot relative to the central base. The transmission members are sleeved on the pivot module. The panel bodies can pivot relative to the wing members and slide linearly relative to the transmission members. The synchronization module can drive the transmission members to reverse synchronously. The elastic module is sleeved on the pivot module. The flexible screen is disposed on the panel bodies and the wing members and includes a bendable area. When the panel bodies are in an unfolded state, the flexible screen is flattened. When the panel bodies are in a folded state, the bendable area is bent.