Triangulated Contour Hinge for Foldable Display Thickness Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for touch screen display devices that can be adjusted in size without compromising their handheld convenience and for structural hinge supports that prevent flexible displays from folding to undesirable angles, which could damage the device.
Innovation Solution
A foldable touch screen display device with a flexible display and a hinge mechanism featuring plate stops that prevent the device from folding beyond a flat open state, allowing transformation from a compact phone-sized state to an expanded tablet-sized state while maintaining structural integrity and reducing mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a flexible display is folded to an expanded state to increase screen size, then the display area is improved, but the device thickness increases and structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and supported. This segmentation allows the display to expand to a larger area while each segment maintains a thinner profile, supported by individual plate structures that prevent excessive bending and thickness accumulation.
2Area of moving object
If a flexible display is folded to an expanded state to increase screen size, then the display area is improved, but the structural integrity deteriorates due to excessive folding angles
Solution Approach 1:
Plate stops are positioned in advance within the hinge mechanism to prevent the flexible display from folding beyond a predetermined safe angle. These stops provide preliminary counter-action against excessive folding forces, protecting the display from damage before the harmful folding angle is reached, thereby maintaining structural integrity while allowing expanded display area.
3Reliability
If hinge mechanism is designed to prevent excessive folding angles, then the reliability is improved, but the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism utilizes flexible plate structures and thin film components to provide stopping mechanisms. These flexible elements can deform and engage to prevent excessive folding without requiring complex rigid mechanical assemblies, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in mechanical complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If multiple segments are configured into a folded position, then the compactness is improved, but the device thickness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple display segments are arranged in a nested configuration where segments are positioned within or adjacent to each other in the folded state. This nesting allows the segments to occupy a compact volume while plate supports prevent them from stacking in a way that would increase overall device thickness, achieving both compactness and thinness.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable touch screen display device with a flexible display including segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state, and including a hinge mechanism having plate stops is described. The form factor of the compact state is comparable to a handheld phone. The form factor of the expanded state is comparable to a larger phone or tablet computer. Both states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The hinge mechanism's plate stops provide a support structure below and in between the device's flexible display segments, preventing folding beyond a flat open state to an obtuse angle. The device can include sensors to indicate the state of configuration and mechanisms for alignment, locking, and further structural support. A module attached to at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all processing and memory, and a communications system usable in any state.