Foldable Hinge Assembly With Nested Support for Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in supporting their flexible displays during folding, leading to potential sagging or damage due to the limited space in the narrow folding region, which complicates the integration of necessary structures within the hinge assembly.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hinge assembly with a support structure that includes a first and second arm portion, a fixing portion, and a detent structure, which allows the flexible display to be securely attached and supported, preventing sagging by maintaining contact with the display even when the device is folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hinge assembly integrates various structures to decrease its size, then the portability is improved, but some regions of the flexible display may not be supported during folding, causing sagging or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is nested within the hinge assembly structure, specifically positioned between the arm portions and the folding region of the flexible display. This nesting allows the support function to be integrated into the existing hinge structure without significantly increasing its external dimensions, while still providing necessary support to the flexible display during folding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the folding region of the flexible display, utilizing a different spatial dimension to provide support. This dimensional approach allows the support structure to occupy minimal space in the folding region while effectively preventing sagging and damage through its perpendicular orientation
2Adaptability or versatility
If various structures are disposed in the hinge assembly to enable rotation, then the functionality is improved, but the space required increases, making it difficult to maintain narrow folding region
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to the flexible display during folding, maintains the narrow profile of the hinge assembly, and works in conjunction with the arm portions and detent structure to enable rotation functionality. This multi-functionality allows the hinge assembly to achieve rotation capability without proportionally increasing the folding region space
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
This solution effectively prevents the flexible display from sagging or being damaged during the folding process, ensuring the device's structural integrity and user safety while maintaining the portability benefits of foldable designs.
Implementation Method 1
a moving portion, and a second arm portion (322) coupled to the other end of the shaft. The hinge structure (300a) may further include an elastic member (361) coupled to the shaft (331), and a support portion (350) coupled to the first arm portion (321), the second arm portion (322), and the elastic member (361).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A foldable device comprising: first and second housings; a hinge structure coupled with the first and second housings and accommodated in a hinge housing; a flexible display accommodated in the first and second housings. The hinge structure includes: a first bracket coupled with the first housing; a second bracket coupled with the second housing; a first support member coupled with the first bracket including a first support rib; a second support member coupled with the second bracket including a second support rib; a third support member disposed between the first and second support members; a stopper; an elastic member.