Slidable Hinge Mechanism for Natural Foldable Display Motion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable display devices face challenges in achieving a natural folding and unfolding motion while maintaining the display within allowable bending radius limits to prevent damage to fragile components, often requiring complex mechanisms that can introduce stress and artificial folding motions.

Innovation Solution

A hinge mechanism comprising a plurality of elongated hinge segments arranged in rows, coupled by joint assemblies with ball joints, allowing for natural folding and unfolding while maintaining the display within allowable bending limits, and a sliding mechanism for adjusting positions to ensure planarity in the unfolded configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms are used to guide and support folding and unfolding, then the device can achieve folding functionality, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to failure and introduces stress that may damage display components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding functionalityVSAvoidmechanism reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple individual hinge segments (first hinge segment, second hinge segment, third hinge segment, fourth hinge segment) rather than using a single complex mechanism. Each segment independently supports the foldable display, distributing the mechanical load and reducing failure points. The segments are arranged in parallel rows with corresponding relationships to provide redundant support paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms are used to guide and support folding and unfolding, then the device can achieve folding functionality, but the mechanism introduces stress that may damage display components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding functionalityVSAvoidstress on display components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple individual hinge segments (first hinge segment, second hinge segment, third hinge segment, fourth hinge segment) rather than using a single complex mechanism. Each segment independently supports the foldable display, distributing the mechanical load and reducing failure points. The segments are arranged in parallel rows with corresponding relationships to provide redundant support paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge segments are designed to move relative to each other during folding and unfolding operations, allowing the mechanism to adapt dynamically to the foldable display's motion. The ball joints enable smooth rotational movement while maintaining support, and the segments can adjust their positions to accommodate the changing geometry during folding transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If multiple hinge segments are used to support the foldable display, then the mechanism becomes more complex, but the device achieves more natural folding motion and maintains display within allowable bending limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural folding motionVSAvoidhinge mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple individual hinge segments (first hinge segment, second hinge segment, third hinge segment, fourth hinge segment) rather than using a single complex mechanism. Each segment independently supports the foldable display, distributing the mechanical load and reducing failure points. The segments are arranged in parallel rows with corresponding relationships to provide redundant support paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple hinge segments are combined in a coordinated arrangement where corresponding segments (first and second, third and fourth) work together to support the foldable display. The ball joints merge the rotational movements of adjacent segments, enabling smooth transitions while maintaining support. This combining approach achieves natural folding motion through coordinated action of multiple simple segments rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides a simple and reliable mechanism for guiding and supporting the folding and unfolding of foldable displays, maintaining the display within safe bending radii and preventing damage, while allowing for reduced stacking thickness and natural motion.

Implementation Method 1

each joint assembly includes a ball joint including a rod having a first ball formed at a first end thereof and a second ball formed at a second end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall joint mechanism: Ball

Data Source

PatentEP3922001B1Slidable hinge mechanism and foldable device having same

Publication Date: 2023.09.06 GOOGLE LLC

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge subassembly including a hinge mechanism and a sliding mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a plurality of hinge segments, arranged in a plurality of rows, and with adjacent hinge segments movably coupled by a plurality of joint assemblies, based on a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration of the foldable device. The sliding mechanism may be coupled to the hinge mechanism, to provide for further adjustment of relative positions of the plurality of hinge segments based on the folded and unfolded configuration of the foldable device.