Hinge Mechanism Cam Profile for Flexible Display Bending Space

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinge mechanisms for flexible electronic devices do not adequately provide a receiving space for the bending portion of flexible displays when folded, potentially causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A hinge mechanism comprising a cam and two arm units with adjusting slots and arcuate surface sections that allow the arms to pivot between unfolded and folded positions, providing a leeway for the flexible display to bend without damage by moving the cam follower protrusions along peripheral cam surface sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hinge mechanism is designed to provide a receiving space for the bending portion of the flexible display, then the flexible display is protected from damage, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of flexible displayVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing the bending portion of the flexible display inside the hinge mechanism structure itself. The hinge mechanism includes a receiving space formed by the cam and arm units that accommodates the bent display during folding operations, effectively nesting the vulnerable component within the mechanical structure that protects it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having the flexible display bend in an up-and-down direction when folded, rather than requiring horizontal expansion. The cam follower protrusions move along arcuate surface sections that guide this vertical bending motion, allowing the receiving space to be created through dimensional transformation rather than lateral expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the hinge mechanism directly attaches to the flexible display, then the connection is secure, but the display is vulnerable to damage during bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddisplay durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the hinge mechanism as an intermediary structure between the flexible display and the device housing. This intermediary contains the receiving space that accommodates the bent display, mediating the mechanical stresses and protecting the display from direct attachment points that would cause damage during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the cam follower protrusions are constrained to move only in straight lines, then the mechanism is simple, but the arms cannot pivot smoothly between positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidarm pivoting smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by designing the cam follower protrusions to move along arcuate surface sections of the cam rather than straight lines. These curved surfaces guide the follower protrusions through smooth arclike paths, enabling the arm units to pivot smoothly between unfolded and folded positions while maintaining relatively simple mechanism geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10480225B1Hinge mechanism and flexible electronic device having the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 FIRST DOME

AI summary

A flexible electronic device includes a flexible display, a support structure and two hinge mechanisms. Each hinge mechanism includes a cam and first and second arm units. With the hinge mechanism having first and second cam follower protrusions of the first and second arm units which are moved from respective cavities of the cam and slide on respective peripheral cam surface sections of the cam during the pivoting of the first and second movable arms from an unfolded position to a folded position, a leeway is provided between the first and second movable arms for the flexible display to be bendably received therein.