Hinge Hybrid Rotation Distributed Torque Flexible Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information handling systems face challenges in maintaining a thin form factor while protecting flexible displays, as traditional hinges can damage the display film when folding and require larger structures to manage torque, compromising portability and display integrity.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with dual synchronization mechanisms, including synchronized gears and pivot arms with cam surfaces, distributes torsional forces across multiple points, reducing stress on the display film and allowing for a thinner design by adjusting the fold radius and housing portion spacing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional hinge structure is used to rotationally couple housing portions, then the hinge can provide stable torque and synchronized movement, but the hinge adds size to the housing and increases the thickness around the hinge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable torque and synchronized movementVSAvoidhinge size and housing thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple functional components: a first hinge portion coupled to the first housing portion, a second hinge portion coupled to the second housing portion, and a display film portion disposed between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall hinge size while maintaining structural integrity and torque stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display film is nested within the hinge structure, folding over the hinge portions rather than being external to them. This nesting eliminates the need for additional housing thickness to accommodate the display separately, as the display integrates with the hinge mechanism itself, thereby reducing overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the display film folds sharply over the hinge to reduce housing thickness, then the device becomes more portable, but the display film can be damaged such as cracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing thicknessVSAvoiddisplay film damage and cracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge portions are designed with specific geometries and material properties that cushion and distribute the folding stress before it reaches the display film. The first and second hinge portions act as stress-absorbing elements that prevent sharp folds, thereby protecting the display film from cracking while maintaining a thin profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism dynamically adjusts the folding radius and stress distribution parameters during rotation. By changing the geometric parameters of the hinge portions and the folding path of the display film, the system optimizes between thinness and stress protection, preventing damage while minimizing thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a larger hinge mechanism is used to protect the display film from stress, then the display is better protected, but the housing size and system portability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay film stress protectionVSAvoidhousing size and portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge structure implements local quality by concentrating stress-protection features only where needed—at the folding points of the display film—rather than throughout the entire hinge mechanism. This allows effective protection with minimal material, reducing overall hinge size and maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism utilizes composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties: flexible materials for stress absorption, rigid materials for structural support, and thin-film materials for the display. This composite approach achieves maximum protection with minimum thickness, resolving the contradiction between protection and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11656659B2Portable information handling system hinge with hybrid rotation for distributed torque

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system housing rotationally couples housing portions with a dual axis synchronized gear to rotate about parallel spaced axes that define a radius to support folding of a flexible display. Each axis of the synchronized gear couples to a housing portion with a sliding bracket that adjusts length during rotation. Plural pivot arms couple to a main body of the hinge at the first and second axes and to the housing portions to manage spacing of the housing portions during rotation. A sliding member coupled to the main body engages with the plural pivot arms to synchronize rotation of the plural pivot arms and regulate torsional forces related to rotation of the housing portions that can damage a display film folding at the hinge.