Foldable Screen Hinge Structure With Clearance for Bend Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding electronic devices with flexible screens face issues where bending positions are prone to excessive squeezing, which adversely affects the service life of the flexible screens.
Innovation Solution
A folding mechanism with a base portion, housing seats, screen supporting plates, and swing arm assemblies that allow for a flare-shaped structure formation and clearance space, preventing excessive bending of the flexible screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a flexible screen is used in a folding electronic device to provide large display area and good portability, then the display area and portability are improved, but the bending positions are prone to excessive squeezing which adversely affects the service life of the flexible screen
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible screen and the housing. This buffer structure absorbs the squeezing force during folding, preventing direct transmission of excessive force to the flexible screen's bending positions, thereby extending its service life while maintaining the large display area capability
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer structure is pre-configured at the bending positions of the flexible screen to provide cushioning protection before folding occurs. This beforehand cushioning mechanism ensures that when folding happens, the bending positions are already protected against excessive squeezing, preventing damage and extending the screen's operational life
2Reliability
If the folding mechanism provides a larger accommodating space for the folded part of the flexible screen, then the service life is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer structure utilizes a flexible shell design that can deform and adapt to the folding motion. This flexible shell provides the necessary accommodating space for the folded screen while maintaining a compact form factor, avoiding the need for complex mechanical expansions that would increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer structure is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to change its volume and shape according to the folding state. During folding, the buffer structure expands to provide accommodating space; during unfolding, it compresses to minimize space occupation. This dynamic behavior provides the necessary protection without requiring complex mechanical adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
A folding mechanism is provided, including a base portion, a first housing seat, a second housing seat, a first screen supporting plate, a second screen supporting plate, and a third screen supporting plate. The first housing seat is rotatably disposed on the first screen supporting plate, the second housing seat is rotatably disposed on the second screen supporting plate, and the third screen supporting plate is movably connected to the base portion in its own support direction. The first housing seat is rotatably connected to the base portion by a first swing arm, the second housing seat is rotatably connected to the base portion by a second swing arm, the first screen supporting plate is slidably and rotatably connected to the base portion by a third swing arm, and the second screen supporting plate is slidably and rotatably connected to the base portion by a fourth swing arm.