Multi-Axis Hinge Structure for Foldable Display Crease Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with flexible displays face issues of creases when folded due to large curvature, and gaps between housings when the curvature is small, affecting portability and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure with a complex mechanism involving fixed and rotary members, guide members, and elastic components that rotate and move to support the display, allowing it to form a specific shape like a water-drop shape when folded, reducing curvature and ensuring complete housing contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the curvature of the folding area is large, then the display can be folded, but creases occur in the folding area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature control by designing the hinge structure to maintain a specific radius of curvature in the folding area. The hinge mechanism ensures that the display folds along a controlled arc path, preventing excessive curvature that would cause creases while enabling the folding function. This is achieved through the mechanical design of the hinge components that guide the folding motion along a predetermined curved trajectory.
2Manufacturing precision
If the curvature of the folding area is small, then creases are reduced, but gaps occur between housings
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is designed with specific curvature radii that balance two requirements: maintaining a radius large enough to prevent display creases while ensuring the folded shape allows complete housing contact. The curved guide surfaces and rotational paths are engineered to achieve optimal curvature that satisfies both display protection and housing alignment requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure enables dynamic adjustment of the folding geometry through its mechanical components. As the device folds, the hinge mechanism dynamically changes the curvature and angle between housings, allowing the system to transition from a flat state to a folded state with controlled curvature that ensures both display protection and complete housing contact in the folded position.
3Device complexity
If a simple hinge structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the display cannot be supported to form specific shapes when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple functional segments including rotary members, guide members, and support plates. Each segment performs a specific function: rotary members enable rotation, guide members control the folding path and curvature, and support plates provide structural support to the display. This segmentation allows the complex shape-forming capability to be achieved through coordinated action of simpler individual components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display extending from a first housing to a second housing, and a hinge structure rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing and including a fixed member, a first rotary member coupled to the fixed member so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending parallel to an axial direction and connected with the first housing, a second rotary member coupled to the fixed member so as to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the axial direction and connected with the second housing, a first guide member coupled to the first rotary member so as to be rotatable about a third axis parallel to the first axis, a second guide member coupled to the second rotary member so as to be rotatable about a fourth axis parallel to the second axis, a first rotary plate at least partially coupled to the first guide member to rotate about the third axis with the first guide member and supporting a partial area of the display, and a second rotary plate at least partially coupled to the second guide member to rotate about the fourth axis with the second guide member and supporting another partial area of the display. When the first housing or the second housing is folded or unfolded, the first rotary member rotates about the first axis in a first rotational direction, the first guide member and the first rotary plate rotate about the third axis in the first rotational direction, the second rotary member rotates about the second axis in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and the second guide member and the second rotary plate rotate about the fourth axis in the second rotational direction.