Foldable Structural Member with Buckle Locking for Stable Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices with flexible foldable screens struggle to maintain a folding state and may automatically open after being folded.

Innovation Solution

A foldable structural member with a structural main body and a buckle assembly, featuring a first and second buckle piece, allows the device to switch between unfolding, inward-folding, and outward-folding states, ensuring stable connection and retention of the folding state through engagement of the buckle pieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display device is designed to be foldable, then the adaptability and portability are improved, but the stability of the folding state deteriorates as the device may automatically open after being folded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidfolding state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The structural main body is divided into a first main body and a second main body connected through a bending portion, allowing independent movement and folding of each segment while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buckle assembly is pre-configured with the first buckle piece and second buckle piece in engaged positions, so that when the bending portion is actuated, the buckles automatically engage to lock the folding state without requiring additional locking actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the buckle assembly is added to maintain folding state, then the stability of the folding state is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding state stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first buckle piece and second buckle piece are integrated into the structural main body as unified components, combining the folding mechanism and locking mechanism into a single integrated assembly rather than separate modules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buckle assembly is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the bending state of the structural main body, with the buckles self-locking when the bending portion is actuated and self-releasing when needed, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms

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 enables the display device to maintain multiple stable display states, enhancing user interaction and protection of the display panel while preventing accidental opening.

Implementation Method 1

The second buckle piece is rotatably arranged between a first position and a second position relative to the second main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP4181489B1Foldable structural member and display device
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 KUNSHAN GO VISIONOX OPTO ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4181489B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4181489B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4181489B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present application provides a foldable structural member and a display device. The foldable structural member is used to support a display panel. The foldable structural member includes a structural main body including a first main body and a second main body distributed in a first direction, and a bending portion located between the first main body and the second main body, in which the foldable structural member is enabled to be switched between an unfolding state and a folding state by the bending portion, a buckle assembly, including a first buckle piece and a second buckle piece engaged with the first buckle piece, in which the first buckle piece is arranged on the first main body, and the second buckle piece is arranged on the second main body, in an inward-folding state or an outward-folding state, the first buckle piece is buckled with the second buckle piece to connect the first main body with the second main body. In embodiments of the present application, the first buckle piece and the second buckle piece are provided, so that a problem that the display device cannot keep a folding state and may be opened automatically after being folded can be solved.