Hinge Assembly Maintaining Curvature Radius for Foldable Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible screens in electronic devices are prone to damage when the curvature radius at a folded bent portion is less than a certain value, leading to potential damage during folding and unfolding operations.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a unique design featuring a first and second connection member and a transmission unit, allowing the hinge module to transform between angular positions, thereby maintaining a larger curvature radius and preventing damage to the flexible screen by spacing the outer segments apart when folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible screen is folded with a small curvature radius, then the device can be compactly folded, but the flexible screen may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gap dimension between the first and second connection members that prevents the flexible screen from bending beyond a safe curvature radius. By spacing the connection members apart in the folded state, the screen is forced to maintain a larger bending radius, thus preventing damage while still achieving compact folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the hinge assembly by positioning the first and second connection members at different locations on the first mounting base. This spatial parameter change ensures that when folded, the outer segments are spaced apart by a gap, which directly controls the minimum curvature radius of the flexible screen and prevents it from being damaged.
2Length of stationary object
If the first and second connection members are positioned close together, then the hinge assembly is compact, but the flexible screen curvature radius becomes too small causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the positional parameters of the first and second connection members on the mounting base. By carefully selecting their locations and orientations, the design achieves a balance where the hinge assembly remains relatively compact while the outer segments are spaced apart by a sufficient gap when folded, maintaining safe curvature radius for the flexible screen.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly is provided for hingedly connecting a first frame to a second frame, and includes at least one hinge module which includes a first mounting base, a first connection member, a second connection member, and a transmission unit. The first and second connection members are coupled to the first and second frames, respectively, and are turnably mounted to the first mounting base respectively about first and second turning axes which are parallel to and offset from each other. The transmission unit is provided to permit the first and second connection members to turn in opposite rotational directions from each other whilst turning simultaneously.