Hinge Device for Soft Display Modules Preventing Screen Crimping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pivot pin devices cannot be effectively mounted on flexible soft display screens, causing the screens to be squeezed and crimped when flexed, and fail to accurately locate the display screen after opening or closing.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a joint unit assembly featuring multiple rotary and motional shafts, including a shaft fixing section and a shaft guide section, which allows the display module to be flexed and opened/closed without squeezing, utilizing a frictional torque system for enhanced locating and a torque mechanism to adjust torque levels for various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rotary shaft is applied to a flexible soft display screen, then the display screen can be rotated and opened/closed, but the display screen will be squeezed and crimped during flexion
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into multiple joint units (first joint unit, second joint unit, subsidiary joint units) connected in series, with each joint unit containing rotary shafts and motional shafts. This segmentation allows the display screen to be divided into multiple flexible sections that can bend independently, preventing squeezing and crimping while maintaining rotation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces motional shafts as intermediary components between the rotary shafts and the display screen. These motional shafts guide the motion of the display screen segments, allowing them to flex and rotate smoothly without direct contact with the rotary shafts, thereby preventing squeezing and crimping of the display screen material.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional rotary shaft is applied to a flexible soft display screen, then the display screen can be rotated, but the soft display screen cannot be immediately truly located after flexion
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device incorporates frictional torque systems at each joint unit that provide automatic feedback to maintain the display screen in its rotated position. The frictional torque counteracts external forces and gravitational effects, ensuring the display screen remains accurately located after flexion without requiring additional positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in frictional torque parameters at different joint units to control the locating accuracy. By adjusting the frictional torque characteristics (through surface treatment, material selection, or geometric design), the system achieves precise positioning of the display screen at various rotation angles while maintaining smooth operation.
3Measurement precision
If the number of hinge devices and torque mechanisms is increased to enhance locating effect, then the locating accuracy improves, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each joint unit in the hinge device serves multiple functions: it provides rotation capability through rotary shafts, enables flexible bending through motional shafts, and ensures locating accuracy through frictional torque systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining locating accuracy while minimizing device complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device employs a nested structure where subsidiary joint units are integrated within the main joint units. The motional shafts are nested within the rotary shaft assemblies, and the frictional torque systems are integrated into the joint unit geometry. This nesting reduces the overall number of discrete components while maintaining the required locating effect.
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 hinge device allows for smooth operation of flexible display screens without crimping and ensures accurate location, expanding application range to both hard and soft display screens, while accommodating lightweight and slim electronic apparatus designs.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional torque system and/or torque mechanism is further provided to enhance the locating or fixing effect of the hinge device in operation
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge device applicable to soft display module includes a joint unit assembly. The joint unit assembly has a main section, a first side, a second side and a top section. The joint unit assembly has multiple shaft guide sections and shaft fixing sections positioned on the main section and respectively assembled with the motional shafts. A rotary shaft and a socket are formed on the first and second sides of the joint unit assembly along the top section. A (soft) display module is disposed on the top section of the joint unit assembly. The shaft guide section of the joint unit assembly is defined with a first position and a second position. When operating and opening/closing the display module, the rotary shafts serve as rotational fulcrums, whereby the motional shafts are relatively rotatable between the first and second positions of the shaft guide section.