Hinge Support Members for Flexible Display Panel Size Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size mismatch between the mechanism surface of a display device and the flexible screen before folding is a major issue in existing external foldable display devices, leading to potential damage and improper support during the folding process.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display panel with a hinge system comprising support members, rotation mechanisms, and linkage mechanisms that allow the flexible display panel to transition between a flat state and a bent state, ensuring the support members form a U-shaped surface that conforms to the flexible display panel, preventing pulling and maintaining mechanical support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional hinge structure is used, then the device can achieve folding function, but the mechanism surface size does not match the flexible screen size before folding
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple support members (first support member, second support member, third support member) that can independently rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mechanism surface to dynamically adjust its shape and area to match the flexible screen during folding transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to rotate dynamically during the folding process. The first support member rotates relative to the second support member, and the second support member rotates relative to the third support member, allowing the mechanism surface to adapt its configuration to maintain size matching with the flexible screen at different folding stages.
2Ease of operation
If the flexible screen is folded without proper support, then the folding process is simple, but the flexible screen may be damaged due to pulling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is designed to provide support before the flexible screen is fully folded. The support members create a U-shaped surface that conforms to the flexible screen's shape during the folding process, preventing pulling and damage before the fold is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members change their relative positions and orientations during folding. The first support member rotates relative to the second support member, and the second support member rotates relative to the third support member, allowing the mechanism to adapt its geometric parameters to match the flexible screen's changing shape and provide continuous support.
3Area of stationary object
If the mechanism surface is larger than the flexible screen, then the flexible screen is well supported, but there is size mismatch and improper support during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism surface area is made dynamic through the rotation of support members. During folding, the support members rotate to adjust the effective area of the mechanism surface, ensuring it matches the flexible screen size at each stage of the folding process rather than remaining fixed and oversized.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the mechanism surface are changed during folding through the rotation of support members relative to each other. This allows the mechanism surface area and shape to be dynamically adjusted to precisely match the flexible screen dimensions, eliminating size mismatch issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display panel, an electronic device, and a hinge are provided. Each adjacent two of support members in the hinge are rotated by a rotation mechanism, and each alternate two of the support members are interlinked by a linkage mechanism. In response to a plurality of support members moving to a first position, the plurality of support members are disposed horizontally, so as to provide a flat support surface for a main body of the flexible display panel, thereby alleviating a problem that a surface of a flexible display panel mechanism before folding does not match a size of a flexible screen in an existing external foldable display device.