Multi-axis hinge sliding support for flexible display alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-axis hinges in portable information handling systems with flexible OLED displays face challenges in managing housing position relative to the display during transitions between flat and folded configurations, leading to potential waviness, electrical, optical, and physical damage due to mismatched motion and compression of the flexible display.
Innovation Solution
An actuator translates hinge rotation into lateral movement of a sliding support under the display, adjusting its position to match changes in the flexible display's length as it folds, using a threaded axle and L-shaped linkage to maintain precise planar motion and reduce wear, with a spring-loaded system to bias the display towards a folded configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible OLED display is mounted on a flexible substrate and folded with a hinge, then the display can be protected in closed position and provide contiguous display area in open position, but the rotation about the hinge causes different degree of motion for the display on the inner circumference versus the housing, introducing waviness and potential damage to the flexible display
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding support mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the flexible display and the hinge assembly. This sliding support translates the rotational motion of the hinge into lateral sliding motion, accommodating the different degrees of motion between the display on the inner circumference and the housing, thereby preventing waviness and damage while maintaining folding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed with dynamic adjustment capability through the sliding support mechanism. As the hinge rotates between flat and folded configurations, the sliding support dynamically adjusts the position of the flexible display along the direction of sliding, ensuring continuous support and preventing compression or waviness during the transition
2Device complexity
If conventional multi-axis hinges are used with fixed rotational motion and length, then the hinge structure is simple, but the flexible display experiences compression during relative motion between housing portions
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates a sliding support mechanism that dynamically adjusts the effective length and position of the flexible display during rotation. This dynamic adjustment prevents compression of the display while maintaining a relatively simple hinge structure based on conventional multi-axis design
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding support mechanism introduces lateral sliding motion in addition to the rotational motion of the hinge. This additional degree of freedom in the lateral direction allows the system to accommodate the different motion paths of the display on the inner circumference versus the housing, preventing compression while keeping the hinge structure manageable
3Stability of the object's composition
If the flexible display has fixed length, then the display maintains consistent size, but the ends of the display extend past the ends of the housing in folded configuration causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding support mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the flexible display position relative to the housing during folding. As the hinge rotates to folded configuration, the sliding support laterally moves to adjust the display length within the housing, ensuring the display ends remain aligned with the housing ends while maintaining the display's fixed physical length
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 allows for smooth transitions between configurations without compressing the flexible display, reducing wear and backlash, and maintaining support along the entire length of the display, thus preventing damage and improving portability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator translates hinge rotation into lateral movement of a sliding support under the display, adjusting its position to match changes in the flexible display's length as it folds, using a threaded axle and L-shaped linkage
Implementation Method 2
with a spring-loaded system to bias the display towards a folded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a multi-axis hinge and disposes a flexible display over the first and second housing portions supported by a first sliding support over the first housing portion and a second sliding support over the second housing portion. An actuator interfaced with the multi-axis hinge translates hinge axis rotation into lateral movement of the sliding supports to adjust sliding support positions relative to flexible display positions as the flexible display folds around the hinge inner circumference.