Folding Display Support Platforms Using Hinge Barrel Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding devices with collapsible displays often suffer from unsupported or inadequately supported display segments, leading to creases that affect visual appearance and tactile feedback, and deployment mechanisms like lever arms are prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A folding device with collapsible support platforms that pivot on a hinge barrel, deploying to support the display as it opens and retracting when closed, using a simplified mechanism that avoids lever arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a folding device with collapsible display is used to increase display size without increasing device size, then the pocketability is improved, but the display may exhibit creases where it bends
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple collapsible support platforms that can independently deploy and retract. Each platform provides localized support to specific portions of the display, allowing the display to maintain flatness when open while enabling the device to fold when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support platforms are designed to be dynamic, transitioning between deployed and retracted states based on whether the device is open or closed. When the device is open, the platforms deploy to support the display and prevent creasing; when closed, they retract to allow folding.
2Ease of operation
If lever arms are used to deploy collapsible support platforms, then the platforms can raise and lower the display, but the lever arms may experience bending or breaking failures
Solution Approach 1:
The vulnerable lever arm component is completely removed from the mechanism. Instead of using lever arms to deploy the platforms, the invention uses a direct mechanical linkage where the hinge barrel itself interacts with the platform structure to enable deployment, eliminating the bending and breaking failure modes associated with lever arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge barrel serves as an intermediary element that transfers motion from the folding action to the platform deployment. Rather than using lever arms as intermediaries, the hinge barrel directly engages with the platform structure through its edges, providing a more reliable mechanical connection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If collapsible support platforms are deployed to support the display span, then crease depth is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support platform mechanism is merged with the hinge assembly. The hinge barrel's edges directly interact with the platform structure to enable deployment, combining two functions (hinge operation and platform deployment) into a single integrated mechanism rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge barrel serves multiple functions: it enables the folding motion of the device and simultaneously acts as the deployment mechanism for the support platforms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing overall complexity.
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 minimizes crease depth and reduces mechanical failures, ensuring a smooth transition between open and closed states while maintaining display support.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first assembly about a first axis and rotatably connected to the second assembly about a second axis
Implementation Method 2
collapsible support platforms that deploy by pivoting on a hinge barrel of the folding device
Implementation Method 3
The edges may continue to push the collapsible support platforms upwards until the platforms press against a lower surface of the continuous display
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An example a folding device includes a first assembly; a second assembly; a continuous display comprising a primary flexible segment; a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first assembly about a first axis and rotatably connected to the second assembly about a second axis, wherein, when the folding device is fully opened about the hinge assembly, an inner surface of the first assembly is substantially coplanar with an inner surface of the second assembly; a first collapsible support platform attached to the first assembly and configured to articulate against a first edge of the hinge assembly to support the primary flexible segment when the folding device is fully opened; and a second collapsible support platform attached to the second assembly and configured to articulate against a second edge of the hinge assembly to support at least the primary flexible segment when the folding device is fully opened.