Rotary Hinge Assembly With Display Bend Accommodating Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable terminal devices with flexible displays face issues of bending portions being prone to stacking folds when in a folded state, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable connector assembly with a base and connector members featuring first and second hinges that form recesses in the folded state, creating an accommodating space for the bending portion of the flexible display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the flexible display is folded to reduce device size, then portability is improved, but the bending portion is prone to stacking folds causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidflexible display integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector members act as intermediary structures between the housing parts, incorporating hinges that form recesses to accommodate and protect the bending portion of the flexible display during folding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses formed by the bent hinges provide pre-prepared protective spaces that cushion and accommodate the bending portion before any potential damage can occur, preventing stacking folds from forming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Volume of moving object

If the connector members are stacked in the folded state, then device compactness is improved, but the bending portion is squeezed causing stacking folds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidsqueezing force on bending portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses formed by the hinges in the connector members create nested protective spaces that accommodate the bending portion, allowing the connector members to be stacked compactly while protecting the flexible display from squeezing forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3920167B1Rotary connecting assembly and folding terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3920167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3920167B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3920167B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A rotatable connector (100) assembly includes a base (110) and two connector members (120) respectively connected to two sides of the base, where each of the connector members includes a first hinge (121) and a second hinge (122), and both sides of the base are provided with a first sliding slot (111); one end of the first hinge is slidably connected to the first sliding slot and rotates with respect to the base, and the other end of the first hinge is hinged to one end of the second hinge; the rotatable connector assembly has an unfolded state and a folded state, the two connector members connected to the two sides of the base extend in a direction away from each other in the unfolded state, and the two connector members connected to the two sides of the base are stacked in the folded state; and the first hinge and the second hinge of each of the connector members are bent to form a recess (A) at a hinged position, and the recesses formed in the two connector members are joined to form an accommodating space.