Powered Folding Linkage for Flexible Display Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals with flexible display screens lack an automatic folding mechanism, resulting in poor user experience due to manual operation.

Innovation Solution

A folding device comprising a power assembly, movement assembly, and connecting rod assembly that drives a flexible panel to fold or unfold, with the connecting rod assembly rotating relative to the movement assembly to control the panel's state, ensuring stability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display screen is applied in a mobile terminal, then the screen area is enlarged and overall dimension is reduced, but automatic folding or unfolding cannot be implemented and user experience is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The folding device enables the flexible display screen to fold and unfold automatically through the power assembly driving the movement assembly, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system serves itself by integrating the driving mechanism directly with the display structure, allowing autonomous folding/unfolding cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical folding with an automated power-driven mechanism. The power assembly (electric motor) converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, which is then transmitted through the movement assembly to control the folding action, substituting human hand operation with an electromechanical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If a powered folding mechanism is added to enable automatic folding, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic foldingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding device is divided into distinct functional modules: power assembly (motor), transmission assembly (gears and linkages), and folding mechanism (hinges and support structures). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by distributing complexity across separate, manageable units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movement assembly serves multiple functions: it converts rotational motion from the power assembly into linear motion, provides structural support for the flexible display, and enables both folding and unfolding operations through bidirectional actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables convenient control over the flexible panel's state, enhancing user experience by providing a stable and ingenious structure for automatic folding and unfolding, improving running stability and angle control.

Implementation Method 1

the power element may drive the transmission part into rotation to drive the at least one movement assembly to move along an axial direction of the transmission part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3751383B1Folding device, display screen module and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3751383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3751383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a folding device, a display screen module and a mobile terminal. The folding device comprises a power assembly, at least one movement assembly connected with the power assembly and at least one group of connecting rod assembly movably connected to the movement assembly. The connecting rod assembly is configured to movably connect to a flexible panel, the power assembly is arranged to be fixed relative to the flexible panel. The movement assembly is moved by the power assembly, the connecting rod assembly moves along with the movement assembly and rotates relative to the movement assembly, at least a part of the flexible panel is driven by the connecting rod assembly to move and be in a folded state or an unfolded state. The power assembly drives the movement assembly to move to control the flexible panel to move to the folded state or the unfolded state.