Rotatable Protective Member for Foldable Display Edge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in protecting their flexible displays from damage due to exposure during folding operations, as existing solutions do not adequately cover the edges, leading to potential breakage and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable protective member is integrated into the hinge housing of the device, which overlaps the edges of the flexible display and is made of deformable materials like rubber, urethane, or silicone, ensuring protection and easy assembly, while also reducing foreign matter entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a protective frame is cut to provide freedom in bending of the hinge device, then the folding operation flexibility is improved, but the edges of the flexible display are exposed to foreign matter and user contact, leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is designed to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the folding axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between covering and exposing the flexible display edges. This dynamic mechanism enables the protective member to adapt to different operational states while maintaining protection during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member acts as an intermediary component between the hinge device and the flexible display edges. It mediates the interaction by providing a protective barrier that can be rotated into position to prevent foreign matter contact while allowing the hinge to maintain its bending freedom through the cut-out space.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid protection cover is used to protect the flexible display, then the display edge protection is improved, but the folding operation and bending freedom are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member transitions from a static rigid cover to a dynamic rotatable component. This allows it to provide protection when needed (covering the display edges) while being movable out of the way during folding operations, thus maintaining folding freedom while improving protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member is designed with a structure that includes a shaft for rotation, enabling it to function as a flexible protective element rather than a rigid fixed cover. This allows the protection mechanism to adapt to the folding motion while maintaining edge coverage during stationary states.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate protection components are used to cover the flexible display edges, then the protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member integrates multiple protective functions into a single unified component. Instead of using separate protection elements for different edges, the design combines them into one rotatable member that can provide comprehensive edge protection while simplifying the overall structure and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects flexible display edges from foreign matter, allows rotation to accommodate folding operations, and can be positioned to cover different edges as needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components.
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 protects the flexible display edges during folding and unfolding operations, reducing the risk of damage and improving manufacturing efficiency by minimizing components and enhancing assembly productivity.
Implementation Method 1
the protective member including a material which is at least partially deformable according to a folding operation of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: a first housing; a second housing; at least one hinge device which connects the first housing and the second housing to be foldable with respect to each other with reference to a folding axis; a hinge housing which receives the at least one hinge device; a flexible display including a first region corresponding to the first housing, a second region corresponding to the second housing, and a folding area which is foldable and connects the first region and the second region; and at least one protective member which is coupled, in an area corresponding to the folding area, to the hinge housing to be rotatable with reference to a rotation axis parallel to the folding axis, the protective member including a material which is at least partially deformable according to a folding operation of the electronic device, wherein the at least one protective member at least partially overlaps at least one edge of the flexible display in the folding area when the flexible display is viewed from above.