Hinged Electronic Device Displacement Altering Hinge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hinged electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in providing uniform mechanical support and preventing deformation when transitioning between open and closed positions, particularly due to differences in bending length and mechanical support mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A hinge mechanism that adjusts displacement between the hinge housing and device housings as the device pivots, using support plates with inclined planes to recede and create a service loop in the closed position, eliminating the need for spring-loaded plates and ensuring proper display support in the open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring-loaded plates are used to provide mechanical support for the flexible display, then the display can be supported in the open position, but tactile artifacts and deformation occur in the closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay support stabilityVSAvoidtactile artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring-loaded plate mechanism entirely from the system. Instead, it uses a hinge mechanism that naturally provides mechanical support for the flexible display in the open position through its structural design, eliminating the source of tactile artifacts while maintaining display support stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a service loop as an intermediary element that accommodates the flexible display in the closed position. This service loop prevents deformation and tactile artifacts by providing a dedicated pathway for the display to conform to the folded configuration without resistance from mechanical springs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the hinge mechanism provides rigid support for the flexible display, then mechanical stability is improved, but the display cannot form a service loop in the closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical support stabilityVSAvoidservice loop formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to provide rigid mechanical support when the device is in the open position, while simultaneously allowing the flexible display to form a service loop when closed. The mechanism adapts its rigidity based on the device configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different mechanical properties to different regions of the hinge mechanism. The portion supporting the flexible display in the open position provides rigid support, while the service loop region allows controlled deformation and flexing to accommodate the folded configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is allowed to flex freely, then it can form a service loop in the closed position, but mechanical support and uniformity are lost in the open position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice loop formationVSAvoiddisplay uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is pre-configured with a specific geometry and displacement characteristics that ensure the flexible display is properly positioned and supported before the device is opened. This preliminary configuration prevents deformation and ensures uniformity when the device is in the open position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution provides stable mechanical support for the flexible display in the open position while allowing it to form a service loop in the closed position, preventing damage and memory issues, and offers a more rigid user interface without the tactile artifacts of spring-loaded mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

support plates with inclined planes to recede and create a service loop in the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentUS11522985B1Hinged electronic device with displacement altering hinge and corresponding systems

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes first device housing and a second device housing. The hinge housing is coupled to a first hinge arm extending into to the first device housing a second hinge arm extending into the second device housing. The first hinge arm has a first pin extending from a terminal edge of the first hinge arm that engages a first slot defined by a first bracket fixedly coupled to the first device housing. The second hinge arm has a second pin extending from a terminal edge of the second hinge arm that engages a second slot defined by a second bracket fixedly coupled to the second device housing. The first pin translates with the first slot and the second pin translates within the second slot, respectively, when the first device housing and the second device housing pivot to change a displacement between the hinge housing and the device housings.