Folding Mechanism Crease Elimination via Sliding Hinge Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding display devices suffer from creases due to polymer material creep and fatigue damage, leading to unrecoverable residual deformation, which is challenging to address given the limitations in improving polymer materials for optical and mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A folding mechanism with a covering member and hinge assemblies, including a tension module and gear set, that allows the second module base to slide relative to the first, enabling the support plates to rotate and unfold, thereby stretching and flattening the flexible display panel to eliminate creases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a folding mechanism is used to enable the display device to be folded, then the display device can be switched between folded and unfolded states to meet large-size display requirements, but creases appear on the display panel due to polymer material creep and fatigue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into multiple functional modules: first module base, second module base, first support plate, second support plate, and tension module. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (support, rotation, tensioning) independently, reducing stress concentration and deformation on the display panel during folding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second support plates act as intermediary structures between the hinge assembly and the display panel. These support plates distribute and disperse the force applied during folding, preventing direct stress concentration on the display panel that would cause creases and polymer material damage
2Shape
If the second module base slides away from the first module base to enable support plates to move apart, then the display device can be unfolded to a flat state, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tension module integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides tensioning force, guides the sliding motion of the second module base, and enables the rotational movement of support plates. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall hinge assembly structure
Solution Approach 2:
The first support plate and second support plate serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as structural supports for the display panel, provide rotation axes for folding motion, and serve as mounting surfaces for the display panel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components
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 mechanism effectively reduces creases in the display panel, ensuring a flat surface without residual deformation, supports a small-size design, and enhances the service life of the display device while reducing hinge assembly costs by 20%.
Implementation Method 1
The tension module includes a spring and a cam component. An axial direction of the spring is parallel to the second direction, a first end of the spring is fixed relative to the covering member, and a second end of the spring is against the second module base.
Implementation Method 2
The cam component is disposed on a side of the first end of the spring away from the second end of the spring, and the cam component is configured as: during rotation of the display device from a folded state to the unfolded state, under force of the cam component, make the second end of the spring push the second module base to slide in the second direction away from the first module base
Data Source
AI summary
A folding mechanism includes a covering member and a hinge assembly. The covering member includes a bearing groove extending in a first direction. Each hinge assembly includes a first module base and a second module base that are disposed in the bearing groove, a first support plate and a second support plate that are disposed on opposite sides of a first axis of the bearing groove, and a tension module. The first module base is fixed to the covering member. The second module base is capable of sliding with respect to the first module base in a second direction. The first support plate is connected to the first module base. The second support plate is connected to the second module base. The first support plate is capable of rotating relative to the first module base. The second support plate is capable of rotating relative to the second module base.