Tri-Fold Flexible Display Hinge Layout to Prevent Layer Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable devices with a tri-fold structure face a high risk of damage to the flexible display due to displacement superposition of the support and cover layers during folding, leading to potential warping or damage.
Innovation Solution
The foldable device incorporates a housing assembly with a flexible display, a support layer, and a cover layer, fastened to mechanical parts via specific fastening structures, ensuring that these layers undergo synchronized displacement to prevent superposition and minimize damage during state transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a tri-fold structure is adopted to increase display area, then the display area is enlarged, but the risk of damage to the flexible display increases due to displacement superposition
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display is segmented into multiple independent layers (support layer, display layer, cover layer), each capable of independent displacement control. This segmentation allows the patent to manage displacement superposition by controlling each layer's movement separately during folding operations, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining large display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic displacement control mechanisms that adjust the movement of different display layers based on the folding state. During folding, the system dynamically coordinates the displacement of support and cover layers to prevent superposition, while in unfolded state, all layers work together to provide maximum display area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical parts are used to enable tri-fold structure, then the folding functionality is enhanced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing assembly adopts a nested structure where multiple mechanical parts are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner. The first, second, and third mechanical parts are positioned to nest within each other's spatial envelope, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining tri-fold functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Each mechanical part is designed with multi-functionality, serving both structural support and display fastening roles. The mechanical parts simultaneously provide folding articulation, display layer anchoring, and structural rigidity, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components and lowering overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the support layer and cover layer are fastened to different regions, then displacement superposition is avoided, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different fastening strategies to different regions of the flexible display. The support layer is fastened to specific regions of the first mechanical part, while the cover layer is fastened to different regions of the second and third mechanical parts. This localized differentiation prevents displacement superposition while allowing tolerance in non-critical areas, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable device includes a first mechanical part, a second mechanical part, a third mechanical part, a first hinge mechanism, a second hinge mechanism, and a flexible display. One end of the first mechanical part is rotatably connected to the second mechanical part through the first hinge mechanism, and the other end of the first mechanical part is rotatably connected to the third mechanical part through the second hinge mechanism. The flexible display includes a support layer and a cover layer. The support layer is fastened to a part of the first mechanical part and the second mechanical part, and the cover layer is fastened to the other part of the first mechanical part and the third mechanical part. Alternatively, the second mechanical part and the third mechanical part are separately folded toward different sides of the first mechanical part.