Hinge Neutral Layer and Skeleton for Flexible Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a hinge for mobile terminals with flexible outer screens that maintains a constant support surface during bending and unfolding, while being easy to use and suitable for commercial applications in devices like mobile phones and laptops.
Innovation Solution
A hinge comprising a neutral layer structure and a bottom middle skeleton structure with flexible components, where the neutral layer is fixedly connected to the middle skeleton and the sides are movably connected, allowing for bending and unfolding, with flexible parts and a synchronizing mechanism to ensure smooth operation and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a hinge is designed to support a flexible screen, then the support surface should remain unchanged or minimally changed when bent and unfolded, but this requires complex structural design to maintain geometric accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple independent components: a neutral layer structure (including middle fixing part, left connecting structure, right connecting structure), a bottom middle skeleton structure (including middle support rod, left auxiliary support rod, right auxiliary support rod), and flexible components. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural stability during bending and unfolding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral layer structure serves as an intermediary between the flexible screen and the bottom middle skeleton structure. It transfers and distributes forces while maintaining the geometric accuracy of the support surface. The flexible components act as intermediaries that connect the neutral layer to the skeleton structure, allowing controlled deformation while preserving structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If flexible components are added to enable bending and unfolding, then the hinge becomes more flexible and easier to operate, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates dynamic elements including the flexible part that can bend and restore along the bending shape and unfolding shape, and the synchronizing mechanism that enables coordinated movement of auxiliary support rods. These dynamic components allow the hinge to transition smoothly between folded and unfolded states while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral layer structure and bottom middle skeleton structure are merged through fixed connections at the middle part and movable connections at the left and right sides. This merging creates an integrated system where the flexible components work together with the skeleton structure to provide both flexibility and structural support, reducing the need for separate complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the flexible part height is made equal to the neutral layer height, then the flexible screen can be properly supported during folding, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible part is positioned at specific locations where the neutral layer structure connects to the bottom middle skeleton structure. By localizing the flexible components at these critical junctions rather than throughout the entire structure, the design achieves reliable support for the flexible screen during folding while minimizing overall structural 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
Enables smooth operation of flexible screens during folding and unfolding, supports a narrow frame design, and extends the service life of the hinge by distributing forces effectively, facilitating easy use in mobile terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible part that is capable of bending and restoration along the bending shape and unfolding shape of the hinge
Implementation Method 2
The flexible components cause the flexible part to be pulled
Implementation Method 3
The synchronizing mechanism adopts a gear synchronizing mechanism, and the left gear and the right gear thereof are respectively provided with a connecting arm to connect to the left auxiliary support rod and the right auxiliary support rod
Implementation Method 4
The left auxiliary support rod and the right auxiliary support rod on the outer side are respectively provided with a non-linear first trajectory at the connecting portions of the ends, the synchronizing mechanism are provided with guide pins on the left and right ends respectively and the guide pins are inserted into the first trajectory groove of the left auxiliary support rod and the right auxiliary support rod for connection and engagement to form a first guiding mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a mobile terminal having a flexible outer screen. The mobile terminal has the flexible outer screen, including neutral layer and bottom idle skeleton structures that may be bent and unfolded. The middle part of the neutral layer structure is fixedly connected to the middle part of the middle skeleton structure. Left and right sides of the neutral layer structure are movably connected to the left and right sides of the middle skeleton structure respectively. Flexible components are respectively provided between the left side of the neutral layer structure and the left side of the middle skeleton structure and between the right side of the neutral layer structure and the right side of the middle skeleton structure. The mobile terminal having the flexible screen moves smoothly during screen-flattening and folding operations, supports flattening, and may realize a narrow frame design and longer service life.