Variable-Length Folding Hinge for Flexible Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding electronic devices face issues with insufficient screen accommodating space during folding, leading to creasing and potential damage of the flexible display due to pulling or squeezing.
Innovation Solution
A folding apparatus with a unique design featuring a principal axis, bracket assembly, connecting rod assembly, swing arm assembly, and support plate assembly, which allows for increased distances between rotating shafts and swing arms, preventing interference and enhancing structural strength and support reliability for the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the folding apparatus uses a conventional design with fixed length, then the structure is simple, but the screen accommodating space is insufficient causing pulling or squeezing of the flexible display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the folding apparatus length changeable through a mechanical linkage system. The linkage mechanism allows the apparatus to dynamically adjust its length during folding operations, providing sufficient accommodating space for the flexible display while maintaining structural integrity. This resolves the contradiction by transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to the folding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding apparatus is segmented into multiple components including linkages, rotating shafts, and swing arms that work together to achieve length adjustment. This segmentation allows the complex function of variable length to be broken down into manageable mechanical elements, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity by organizing the complexity into functional segments.
2Reliability
If the folding apparatus increases accommodating space for the flexible display, then the risk of creasing and damage is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dimensional change by allowing the folding apparatus to expand in length along the folding direction. This dimensional adjustment creates additional accommodating space for the flexible display without requiring complex lateral mechanisms. The apparatus extends in the primary folding dimension to provide the necessary space, resolving the contradiction by using dimensional flexibility rather than adding complex multi-directional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a linkage mechanism as an intermediary between the housing and the flexible display. This intermediary component absorbs the complexity of the variable length requirement, allowing the housing to remain relatively simple while the linkage system provides the necessary accommodation space adjustment. The intermediary mechanism translates simple rotational movements into the required length changes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the folding apparatus maintains a fixed length, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the flexible display experiences pulling or squeezing at the folding position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the length parameter of the folding apparatus variable rather than fixed. The mechanical linkage system enables the length to change according to the folding state, ensuring that the flexible display experiences minimal stress during folding. This resolves the contradiction by changing the length parameter from a constant to a variable that adapts to folding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding apparatus transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic variable-length design. The linkage mechanism enables real-time adjustment of the apparatus length during folding operations, preventing harmful stresses on the flexible display. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and stress reduction by using a well-established mechanical linkage principle.
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 reduces the risk of creasing and damage to the flexible display by providing adequate accommodating space and maintaining structural integrity during folding and expansion, improving the reliability and flatness of the display.
Implementation Method 1
the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod can rotate relative to the principal axis... the first swing arm and the second swing arm can rotate relative to the principal axis... rotation axis centers of the first connecting rod and the first swing arm on the principal axis are parallel to each other and do not overlap
Implementation Method 2
the first bracket can slide relative to the first connecting rod, and the second bracket can slide relative to the second connecting rod
Implementation Method 3
the first support plate is rotatively connected to the first bracket... the first support plate is slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first connecting rod and can rotate relative to each other
Implementation Method 4
the first bracket drives the first connecting rod and the first swing arm to rotate around the principal axis, and drives an end that is of the first support plate and that is close to the principal axis to move along a direction away from the principal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A folding apparatus (1) and an electronic device including the folding apparatus are provided. The folding apparatus includes a principal axis (14), a first bracket (111) and a second bracket (112) that are located on two sides of the principal axis along a width direction, a first connecting rod (131) and a second connecting rod (132) that are located on two sides of the principal axis along the width direction, a first swing arm (121) and a second swing arm (122) that are located on two sides of the principal axis along the width direction, and a first support plate (171) and a second support plate (172) that are located on two sides of the principal axis along the width direction. When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate face to face, a length of accommodating space (174) that is of the folding apparatus and that is used to accommodate a folded part (26) of a flexible display (2) can be extended. When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate back to back, a length of accommodating space that is of the folding apparatus and that is used to accommodate a folded part of a flexible display can be shortened, and a support surface used to support the flexible display can be further formed. In this way, no force such as stretching or compression is caused to the flexible display in a folding or expanding process of the folding apparatus. This improves a use effect and safety of the electronic device.