Hinge Device Stabilizing Foldable Display Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

In foldable display apparatuses with flexible display panels, the center portion of the panel is unsupported when unfolded, making accurate touch inputs difficult due to potential movement under user touch, and there is a risk of skin or nail catching in folded portions during folding.

Innovation Solution

A hinge device with first and second bodies that support the flexible display panel, a hinge member for foldable connection, and support structures that form an accommodation space to maintain curvature and stability, using magnetic forces and elastic members to ensure the panel is not pressed by supports, and a cover to prevent catching during folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pair of bodies are unfolded to form a straight angle, then the user can view the displayed image, but the center portion of the flexible display panel becomes unsupported and moves under touch input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing capabilityVSAvoidtouch input accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple segments: the first and second bodies support the left and right portions of the display panel, while the first and second supports specifically target the center portion. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific support function, ensuring the entire panel remains stable during touch input while maintaining viewing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display panel is folded with a specific curvature, then the folded portion can be accommodated, but the user's skin or nail may be caught in the folded portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoldable capabilityVSAvoidskin or nail catching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover acts as an intermediary element between the user's skin/nail and the folded portion of the display panel. It surrounds the outer side of the foldable display apparatus and fills the gap formed during folding, preventing direct contact between the user and the potentially harmful folded edges while allowing the foldable capability to function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If supports are added to stabilize the center portion, then touch input accuracy improves, but the complexity of the hinge device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input accuracyVSAvoidhinge device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second supports are integrated with the hinge member through grooves, merging the support function with the existing hinge structure. This combining approach provides the necessary stability for touch input accuracy without requiring completely separate, complex support mechanisms, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is added to prevent skin catching, then safety and aesthetics improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin or nail catchingVSAvoidoverall structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents skin or nail catching during folding, improves the aesthetic appearance by surrounding the outer side of the apparatus, and provides structural protection. This multi-functionality approach justifies the addition by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution stabilizes the flexible display panel when unfolded, allowing accurate touch inputs and preventing damage, while the cover enhances aesthetics and safety by preventing skin or nail catching during folding.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member, one end of which is connected to the first support or the second support and the other end of which is connected to the first body or the second body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

using magnetic forces and elastic members to ensure the panel is not pressed by supports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9250733B2Hinge device and foldable display apparatus having the same

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable display apparatus is provided. The foldable display apparatus includes a flexible display panel, first body configured to support a left portion of a flexible display panel, and second body configured to support a right portion of the flexible display panel, first and second frames configured to surround portions of outlines of the first and second bodies, a hinge member configured to hinge-connect the first and second frames with each other in a foldable manner, and first and second supports having sides hinge-connected to the first and second frames, and configured to form an accommodation space in which a folded portion of the flexible display panel is folded to form a curvature at a first position at which the first and second bodies are folded, and to support the folded portion of the flexible display panel at a second position at which the first and second bodies are unfolded.