Water Drop Hinge for Flexible Display Stress Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in computing devices experience internal stress when folded due to the outward bulging of the bending area, which can be exacerbated by support plates that do not accommodate this bulge, leading to potential damage and reduced operational longevity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a water drop-type hinge mechanism that moves support plates away from the flexible display as it is folded, creating a gap to accommodate the outward bulging of the display, thereby minimizing additional stress and ensuring proper support when unfolded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support plates are positioned close to the flexible display to provide support when unfolded, then support effectiveness is improved, but additional stress is introduced when the display is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the flexible display. The support plate can move between a first position (when the display is folded) and a second position (when the display is unfolded), enabling it to provide support only when needed while avoiding stress during folding operations.
2Device complexity
If support plates remain stationary relative to the housing, then structural simplicity is maintained, but they cannot accommodate the outward bulging of the bending area when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate transitions from a stationary component to a dynamic one that can change position. It moves to a first position allowing the bending area to bulge outward when folded, and to a second position providing support when unfolded, thus accommodating the display's dimensional changes without requiring complex structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable connection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the support plate and the housing, enabling the support plate to move relative to the housing. This intermediary mechanism allows the support plate to accommodate the bulging of the bending area while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An example computing device includes a flexible display coupled to a housing that includes a support plate having a first joint coupled to a first end of the support plate and a second joint coupled to a second end of the support plate. A slide module has a slot that guides a slide movement of the second joint along a path of movement within the slot as the support plate pivots about the first joint, where the support plate moves according to the first joint and the second joint to support at least the portion of the flexible display when the flexible display is unfolded and moves according to the first joint and the second joint to create a gap between at least a portion of the support plate and at least the portion of the flexible display when the flexible display is folded.