Foldable Screen Hinge Assembly for Flat Display at the Fold Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

The flexible screen in foldable-screen devices arches at the joint between the rotation mechanism and the primary shaft mechanism when the hinge component is in a flattened state, affecting the flatness of the screen and its display performance.

Innovation Solution

A hinge component with a primary shaft mechanism and rotation mechanisms, each equipped with a support member and an elastic component, where the elastic component generates a greater compression rate in the flattened state to drive the flexible screen away from the primary shaft mechanism, ensuring flatness by applying a spring force when the hinge is flattened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the hinge component is rotated to a flattened state, then the flexible screen can be fully unfolded for display, but the flexible screen arches at the joint between the rotation mechanism and primary shaft mechanism, affecting flatness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidflatness of flexible screen
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic component is pre-configured to generate a counteracting force that opposes the arching tendency of the flexible screen. When the hinge component rotates to the flattened state, the elastic component's restoring force actively pushes the flexible screen to maintain flatness, preventing the arching deformation before it can significantly affect display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the hinge component by introducing an elastic element with specific stiffness and pre-compression characteristics. This changes the force distribution and deformation characteristics of the system, enabling the flexible screen to remain flat during the flattened state by adjusting the elastic recovery force to balance the arching tendency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the hinge component structure is simplified without the elastic component, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the flexible screen cannot maintain flatness in the flattened state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidflatness of flexible screen
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic component serves as an intermediary element between the hinge structure and the flexible screen. It mediates the interaction by providing a controllable elastic force that compensates for the natural arching tendency, allowing the system to achieve flatness without requiring complex active control mechanisms or multiple structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic component is designed to automatically adjust and maintain the flexible screen's flatness through its inherent elastic properties. The system is self-regulating, where the elastic force naturally adjusts to counterbalance the arching tendency without requiring external control or additional actuators, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving the desired shape control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 prevents arching of the flexible screen, maintaining its flatness and improving display performance while extending its lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic component is disposed on the support member, a first end of the elastic component is used to press against the primary shaft mechanism when the rotation mechanism rotates to a flattened state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a compression rate of the elastic component when the rotation mechanism rotates to the flattened state is greater than a compression rate of the elastic component when the rotation mechanism rotates to a folded state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4382755B1Foldable screen device and hinge assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4382755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4382755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4382755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a foldable-screen device and a hinge component. An elastic component is disposed on a support member, a first end of the elastic component presses against a primary shaft mechanism when a rotation mechanism rotates to a flattened state, a second end of the elastic component is connected to the support member, and the elastic component is in a compressed state when the rotation mechanism rotates to the flattened state, so that the elastic component generates a spring force, the second end of the elastic component can drive the support member to move far away from the primary shaft mechanism when a user releases or reduces an active force applied to a framing member on one side of the support member in a flattened direction, and a flexible screen is flattened in a direction far away from the primary shaft mechanism under driving of the support member and the framing member. This avoids a case in which the flexible screen is arched at a joint between the rotation mechanism and the primary shaft mechanism when the hinge component is in a flattened state, ensures flatness of the flexible screen of the foldable-screen device in a flattened state, improves display performance of the foldable-screen device, and also improves a lifespan of the flexible screen.