Segmented Folding Mechanism for Flexible Display Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current folding mechanisms for flexible displays in foldable electronic devices poorly support the display under external forces, leading to damage and short service life due to inadequate support structures.
Innovation Solution
A folding apparatus with a rotation mechanism comprising a main shaft assembly, fastening brackets, transmission arms, rotation arms, and support plates that deform to enable folding or unfolding, providing strong support and precise movement control to prevent damage, ensuring reliable operation and extended service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-section chain hinged structure is used for the rotation mechanism, then the bending requirement of the flexible display is met, but the support effect for the flexible display becomes very poor
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is divided into multiple rotation units, each rotation unit including a rotation arm and a support plate. This segmentation allows each unit to independently provide support while collectively achieving the bending function, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation arm, adding a dimensional element that provides support functionality. This dimensional extension transforms the simple hinged structure into a support-capable structure without compromising the bending capability.
2Device complexity
If the flexible display is subjected to external force without adequate support, then the device structure remains simple, but the flexible display is easily dented and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is pre-positioned to extend from the rotation arm in a direction away from the center of rotation, creating a support structure before external forces are applied. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures the flexible display is protected from denting and damage while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If a complex support structure is added to improve flexible display support, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation arm serves dual functions: it enables rotation movement and provides structural support through the attached support plate. This multi-functionality improves support capability without adding separate complex support structures, thereby maintaining mechanism simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate is merged with the rotation arm as an integrated component, where the support plate extends from the rotation arm. This merging combines the support function with the existing rotation mechanism, improving reliability without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a folding apparatus and an electronic device. A rotation mechanism of the folding apparatus includes a main shaft assembly, a first fastening bracket, a first transmission arm, a first rotation arm, a first support plate, a second fastening bracket, a second transmission arm, a second rotation arm, and a second support plate. One end of the first transmission arm is slidably connected to the first fastening bracket, and the other end is rotatably connected to the main shaft assembly. Two ends of the first rotation arm are rotatably connected to the first fastening bracket and the main shaft assembly respectively. The first support plate is lapped between the first fastening bracket and the main shaft assembly, and is fixedly connected to the first rotation arm. One end of the second transmission arm is slidably connected to the second fastening bracket, and the other end of the second transmission arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft assembly. Two ends of the second rotation arm are rotatably connected to the second fastening bracket and the main shaft assembly respectively. The second support plate is lapped between the second fastening bracket and the main shaft assembly, and is fixedly connected to the second rotation arm. A bending mechanism of the folding apparatus can strongly support a flexible display, so that the flexible display has high reliability and a long service life.