Foldable Screen Assembly Tension Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable electronic devices often suffer from recesses or uneven surfaces when switching between folded and unfolded states, leading to poor display performance due to inadequate hinge mechanisms and flexible display handling.

Innovation Solution

A foldable electronic device design featuring a shaft assembly with rotatable supporting plates and an elastic member that maintains tension across the flexible display screen, ensuring even deformation and flatness during state changes, along with a reinforcement assembly to prevent collapse and ensure flatness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing hinge mechanisms are used to enable folding, then the device can switch between folded and unfolded states, but recesses or uneven surfaces are formed on the flexible display screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddisplay surface flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible support structure that can bend and deform elastically to accommodate the folding motion while maintaining support for the display screen. This flexible structure prevents rigid contact points that would cause recesses or uneven surfaces on the screen during folding transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a cushioning structure between the hinge mechanism and the flexible display screen that absorbs and distributes mechanical stress during folding. This cushioning layer prevents direct transmission of folding forces to the screen, thereby avoiding formation of recesses or uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is mounted directly to housing portions with hinges, then the device achieves foldability, but the display performance deteriorates due to recesses or uneven surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoldable state switchingVSAvoiddisplay performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible support structure as an intermediary element between the hinge mechanism and the flexible display screen. This intermediary component absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents direct transmission of folding forces to the display, thereby maintaining display performance while enabling foldability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible support structure acts as a compliant interface that can deform elastically during folding operations. This flexible film-like structure distributes mechanical loads uniformly across the display screen, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause recesses or uneven surfaces and degrade display performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If existing hinge designs are used, then the device can be folded, but the flexible display screen forms recesses or uneven surfaces during state transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoiddisplay surface uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible support structure that can bend and deform elastically to accommodate the folding motion while maintaining support for the display screen. This flexible structure prevents rigid contact points that would cause recesses or uneven surfaces on the screen during folding transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design effectively prevents recesses and ensures a flat, even display surface across all states, enhancing the display performance and durability of the device by maintaining tension and using a reinforcement assembly to support the flexible screen.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member connected to the flexible display screen. When the electronic device is in the folded state, the elastic member has a first elastic deformation amount. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the elastic member has a second elastic deformation amount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3564777B1Foldable screen assembly and electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.07.26 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

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AI summary

A foldable screen assembly and an electronic device are disclosed. The foldable electronic device may include a shaft assembly (10), a support assembly (20), a flexible display screen (30), and a housing assembly. The support assembly (20) includes a first supporting plate (21) and a second supporting plate (22). The first supporting plate (21) and the second supporting plate (22) are rotatable along with the shaft assembly (10), such that the electronic device is switchable between the folded state and the unfolded state. The flexible display screen (30) includes a first end (31) and a second end (33) respectively located at two opposite sides of the shaft assembly (10). The first end (31) is fixedly connected to the first supporting plate (21), and the second end (33) is elastically coupled to the second supporting plate (22). The housing assembly (40) includes a first housing (41) and a second housing (42).