Foldable Electronic Device Lifting Plates for Screen Flattening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible screens in foldable electronic devices face issues such as damage from pressure when folded and incomplete flattening due to insufficient supporting strength, leading to touch sensing failures in the bendable area.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device with multiple foldable units, each comprising symmetrically arranged wings and a lifting plate, supports the flexible screen by lifting it when unfolded and accommodating it when folded, using a hinge module with synchronized shafts and elastic elements to maintain support and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexible screen is folded without adequate support, then the device achieves compactness, but the bendable area suffers from pressure and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple foldable units, each with its own lifting plate and supporting plates. These segmented units are distributed along the bendable area to provide localized support where needed during folding, preventing pressure damage while maintaining compactness when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
Lifting plates and supporting plates are introduced as intermediary structures between the flexible screen and the folding mechanism. These intermediaries bear the pressure during folding operations, protecting the bendable area from direct pressure while enabling the device to achieve compact folded state.
2Device complexity
If the supporting structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flexible screen cannot be completely flattened when unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting plates are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions. When unfolded, the supporting plates move to positions that enable complete screen flattening; when folded, they move to provide necessary support. This dynamic adjustment maintains screen stability without requiring a complex fixed supporting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing continuous support across the entire screen, the invention uses discrete foldable units with supporting plates positioned at critical locations along the bendable area. This partial support approach achieves sufficient screen flattening and protection without the complexity of a full-coverage supporting structure.
3Reliability
If multiple foldable units are added to improve screen support, then the screen stability is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple foldable units are merged into a coordinated system where adjacent units work together through their respective lifting plates and supporting plates. The hinge modules and elastic elements are integrated across units to provide synchronized movement, achieving enhanced screen support stability while managing overall structural complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each foldable unit is designed as a universal module that performs multiple functions: supporting the screen during folding, enabling complete flattening when unfolded, and providing structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 ensures stable support and alignment of the flexible screen, preventing damage and ensuring complete flattening, while allowing for seamless transitions between unfolded and folded states.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, and a latch. The elastic element is sleeved on the shaft, and abuts against the push element
Implementation Method 2
The first shaft and the second shaft respectively penetrate through the body portion and capable of rotating synchronously and reversely
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device comprises a central base, a hinge module, a plurality of wings, a plurality of driving element, a plurality of panel bodies, an elastic module and a flexible screen. The hinge module penetrates through the central base and capable of rotating synchronously and reversely. The driving elements are sleeved on and synchronously rotate with the hinge module. The panel bodies are pivotally connected to the wings and can linearly slide relative to the driving element. The flexible screen is disposed on panel bodies and the wings, and comprises a bendable area. When the panel bodies are in the unfolded status, the flexible screen is flattened, and the wings and the central base support the bendable area. When the panel bodies are in the folded status, the bendable area is bent, and the wings and the central base define an accommodating space for accommodating the bendable area.