Multi-Hinge Foldable Display Sequencing to Prevent Panel Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible and foldable display devices face interference and potential damage to the display panel and hinge portions when multiple portions are rotated and folded simultaneously, leading to structural damage.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates hinge controllers with springs and wires to control the rotation of hinge portions, using stoppers to prevent excessive rotation and interference, ensuring the display panel and hinge portions are protected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple hinge portions are rotated and in-folded simultaneously, then the folding speed and operation efficiency are improved, but interference occurs between portions leading to damage of the display panel and hinge portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding speedVSAvoiddamage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism is activated in advance to prevent one hinge portion from rotating before the other has completed its folding sequence. The first stopper prevents the first hinge portion from rotating when the second hinge portion is still in a folded state, and vice versa, thereby eliminating interference damage while maintaining efficient folding operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two hinge portions, mediating their rotational movement to prevent interference. The stopper temporarily blocks the rotation of one hinge portion when the other is being folded, ensuring sequential operation without direct conflict between the moving parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If stoppers are added to control hinge rotation, then damage to the display panel and hinge portions is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism is merged with the existing hinge structure, where the stopper is integrated into the hinge assembly rather than being a completely separate component. This integration approach prevents damage functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing structural elements with the hinge portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents damage to the display panel and hinge portions by controlling the rotation of the hinge portions, enhancing the durability and functionality of the display device.

Implementation Method 1

a first spring (201), a first wire (211), and a first stopper (561) disposed at the first hinge portion (151)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first spring (201), a first wire (211), and a first stopper (561) disposed at the first hinge portion (151)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3683652B1Display device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3683652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683652B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3683652B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device is capable of substantially preventing damage to a display panel and a hinge portion, the display device including: a panel support portion including a first support portion, a second support portion, and a third support portion; a first hinge portion connecting the first support portion and the second support portion; a second hinge portion connecting the second support portion and the third support portion; a flexible display panel disposed on the panel support portion; and a hinge controller controlling each of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion to be rotatable or unrotatable based on a first angle between the second support portion and the first support portion and a second angle between the second support portion and the third support portion.