Rolling Hinge Mechanism for Flexible Display Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable flexible devices with flexible modules suffer from misalignment and distortion issues when folded and unfolded, leading to degradation in display quality and reliability due to the existing hinge structure, which fails to maintain proper alignment and stress distribution.
Innovation Solution
A flexible device design featuring a holding body with a first and second housing connected by a connection section, including a third housing and turning bodies that roll on the third housing, ensuring the flexible module's surface is fixed to the housings and preventing twist and distortion by adjusting the turning axis and contact area with a slightly-adhesive layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hinge structure is used to connect housings, then the device can be folded and unfolded, but misalignment and distortion occur between the flexible module and housings during folding/unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
The connection section is divided into multiple components: a third housing that remains stationary relative to the flexible module, and multiple turning bodies that independently rotate. This segmentation allows the flexible module to maintain fixed alignment while the turning bodies absorb the rotational movement during folding/unfolding, preventing misalignment between the flexible module and outer housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning bodies act as intermediary elements between the first/second housings and the third housing. These turning bodies rotate on their own axes and engage with the third housing through gear teeth, mediating the folding/unfolding motion while keeping the third housing (and thus the flexible module) stationary relative to the bending plane, thereby preventing distortion.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flexible module is fixed to both housings, then alignment is maintained, but stress concentration and distortion occur at the bent part during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible module is extracted from the stress path by being fixed only to the third housing, which remains stationary during folding. The turning bodies, which are subject to rotational stress during folding/unfolding, are separated from the flexible module's fixed connection. This extraction prevents stress concentration at the bent part of the flexible module while maintaining alignment through the stationary third housing.
3Device complexity
If a simple hinge connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but misalignment and distortion occur during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure transitions from a static hinge to a dynamic system with multiple turning bodies that can independently rotate on their own axes. Each turning body dynamically adjusts its orientation during folding/unfolding, engaging with the third housing through gear teeth. This dynamic capability maintains alignment precision without requiring an overly complex rigid structure.
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 prevents twist and distortion at the bent part of the flexible module, enhancing display quality and reliability by maintaining proper alignment and stress distribution, thus improving the operational stability and visibility of the flexible device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of turning bodies, each of the plurality of turning bodies being fixed to the first housing or the second housing, the plurality of turning bodies rolling on the third housing so that a turning axis of the each of the plurality of turning bodies horizontally moves when the flexible module is bent
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of turning bodies rolling on the third housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a flexible device which is free of twist and distortion at a bent part of a flexible module, and has excellent display quality and a high level of reliability. The flexible device (1) includes a first housing (31), a second housing (41), a third housing (61), and a plurality of turning bodies (80) each of which is fixed to the first housing (31) or the second housing (41) and rolls on the third housing (61) so that a turning axis (80a) of the each of the plurality of turning bodies (80) horizontally moves.