Flexible Display Hinge Plate Support for Tolerance-Induced Height Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing and assembly tolerances in flexible displays of electronic devices can cause height differences, leading to potential damage and reduced emotional quality and reliability during repeated deformation operations.
Innovation Solution
A support structure is implemented in the electronic device, including a hinge assembly with protection members made of materials like sponge, synthetic resin, or metal, which inhibit deformation of the flexible display due to external forces, ensuring stable support and protection during folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible display is used to improve portability and ease of use, then the device can be folded or rolled, but manufacturing and assembly tolerances cause height differences leading to potential damage during repeated deformation
Solution Approach 1:
A protection member made of elastic material is disposed between the hinge assembly and the flexible display to cushion and absorb external forces before they reach the display. This pre-cushioning mechanism prevents height differences and manufacturing tolerances from causing damage during repeated folding and unfolding operations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining portability.
2Reliability
If protection members are added to prevent damage, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is constructed from a thin elastic member that flexes during folding operations. This thin-film approach provides necessary protection against damage from height differences and external forces while adding minimal structural complexity to the hinge assembly, maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
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 support structure enhances the emotional quality and reliability of the product by preventing damage to the flexible display, even with manufacturing and assembly tolerances, providing improved durability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a protection member including a first portion disposed within the first receiving groove, and a second portion extending from one side of the first portion and disposed on the first rotating body outside the first hinge plate... the protection member is configured to inhibit deformation of the folding area of the flexible display due to an external force
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a housing including a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly In an embodiment, the hinge assembly may include a hinge bracket, a first rotation member including a first rotating body configured to rotate about the at least one folding axis, a first hinge plate having a portion disposed in the first housing and another portion fixed to the first rotating body between the flexible display and the first rotation member, a first receiving groove provided in the first hinge plate in an area overlapping with the first rotating body, and a first protection member including a first portion disposed within the first receiving groove, and a second portion extending from one side of the first portion and disposed on the first rotating body outside the first hinge plate. Various other embodiments are available.