WO2015093801A1

WO2015093801A1 - Hinge module for flexible display device

Info

Publication number: WO2015093801A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/012352
Authority: WO
Inventors: 조필제
Original assignee: 주식회사 세네카
Priority date: 2013-12-16
Filing date: 2014-12-15
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge module for a flexible display device which can smoothly bend, in a desired direction, a flexible display manufactured so as to be bent or folded, and which can constantly maintain a bent angle, and the hinge module for a flexible display device, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises: a plurality of link bodies which are arranged side by side between a first display body and a second display body, and which are connected so as to allow relative rotations around an upper edge as an axis; shafts which extend in left and right side directions of a flexible display on the respective link bodies, and which are provided so as to move at a certain distance in the left and right side directions; location determination blocks which are formed on one side of the respective link bodies or both end portions thereof, and which have a plurality of location determination grooves into which end portions of the shafts are elastically inserted; and a plurality of elastic members for elastically supporting the shafts with respect to the respective link bodies.

Description

Hinge module for flexible display device

The present invention relates to a hinge module for a flexible display device, and more particularly, to a hinge module for a flexible display device, which allows a flexible display manufactured to be bent or folded to be smoothly bent in a desired direction and maintain a constant bent angle. It is about.

Flexible displays are displays that are manufactured using thin, flexible substrates that can bend, bend, or roll within a few centimeters of paper, without losing traditional display characteristics. Unlike flexible displays, they are light, thin, and It is defined as a display that has strong impact resistance and can bend freely.

Such a flexible display is advantageous in that it is light, robust, and bendable, and thus can be advantageously applied to portable mobile communication terminals such as DMB, WiBro, PDA, mobile phones, and smart phones.

However, when the flexible display is applied to the existing clamshell mobile communication terminal as shown in FIG. 1, the hinge body 2 on which the flexible display 1 is mounted is rotated about the central rotation shaft 3. When the flexible display 1 is bent, the lengths of both the upper surface 2a and the lower surface 2b of the hinge body 2 are changed, which causes deformation of the flexible display 1.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant provides a hinge module for a flexible display device that can bend the flexible display smoothly to a desired angle and keep the bending angle stably while preventing the deformation of the flexible display when the flexible display device is bent. It has been developed (Patent No. 10-1346146).

By the way, the hinge module of the conventional flexible display device, including the hinge module for the flexible display device of the registered patent has a complicated configuration of the device for maintaining the liquid crystal display at a desired angle, the phenomenon that the angle is not maintained in the use process There is a problem that occurs.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to bend the flexible display smoothly to the desired angle while the flexible display does not occur when the flexible display device is bent, to maintain a stable bent angle The present invention provides a hinge module for a flexible display device.

Hinge module for a flexible display device according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the first display body and a portion of the flexible display is mounted on the upper surface, the first display body is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the top A hinge module for a flexible display device, which is rotatably installed between a second display body on which another portion of the flexible display is mounted, wherein the upper edge is arranged side by side between the first display body and the second display body. A plurality of link bodies connected to each other so as to rotate relative to each other; Shafts extending in the left and right directions of the flexible display and movable in the left and right directions at each link body; A positioning block formed at one or both ends of each link body, the positioning block having a plurality of positioning grooves into which the end of the shaft is elastically inserted; It characterized in that it comprises a plurality of elastic members for elastically supporting the shaft for each of the link body.

A hinge module for a flexible display device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first display body having a portion of a flexible display mounted on an upper surface thereof, and a distance from the first display body at a predetermined distance and the other side of the flexible display on an upper surface thereof. A hinge module for a flexible display device that is rotatably installed between a second display body to which a portion is mounted, wherein the hinge module for a flexible display device is arranged side by side between the first display body and the second display body so as to be rotatable relative to an upper edge thereof as an axis. A plurality of link bodies connected; Shafts extending in the left and right directions of the flexible display and movable in the left and right directions at each link body; One side or both ends of each link body is formed to protrude in the width direction of the link body is installed so as to overlap the surface of another adjacent link body, the end of the shaft installed in the other link body adjacent A positioning block in which a plurality of positioning grooves are additionally inserted; A plurality of elastic members elastically supporting the shaft with respect to each of the link bodies; A shaft hole in which the respective shafts are separately inserted in the center portion is formed, and two long hole-shaped guide holes in which the shafts disposed on both sides of the shaft inserted in the shaft hole are respectively inserted are formed in a plate shape. It is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of connecting levers connected to the shaft and connected to each other rotatably connected to each other.

According to the present invention, when the flexible display device is bent, the flexible display can be smoothly bent at a desired angle while preventing deformation of the flexible display.

In particular, the present invention is because the angle maintaining device for maintaining the display body fixed at a specific position in the bending and unfolding process is configured on the side of the hinge module can reduce the structure and size compared to the existing hinge module, the shaft is Since it is elastically moving to the side while being inserted into or removed from the positioning groove, there is an effect of performing a reliable and accurate angle maintaining action.

1 is a diagram illustrating a problem when a flexible display is applied to a conventional foldable portable terminal.

2A to 2C are perspective views showing an operating state of an embodiment of a flexible display device to which a hinge module according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2A is a state in which the flexible display device is deployed at 180 degrees, and FIG. 2B is a view of the flexible display device. 2C is a state where the flexible display device is completely bent.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge module for a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exploded perspective view of one side half of the hinge module of FIG.

5 is a front view illustrating a connection structure between a connecting lever and a shaft of the hinge module of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating one side half of the hinge module of FIG. 3. FIG.

7 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge module of the present invention in a state where the flexible display device is bent at a predetermined angle.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating one side half of the hinge module in the state shown in FIG. 7.

9 is a perspective view showing a state of the hinge module of the present invention in a state where the flexible display device is completely bent.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating one half of a hinge module in the state shown in FIG. 9.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the hinge module for a flexible display device according to the present invention.

2A to 10, the hinge module 100 for a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first display in which a portion of the flexible display 1 (for example, a flexible LCD) is mounted on an upper surface thereof. Bending at a predetermined angle range between the body 2 and the second display body 3 spaced apart from the first display body 2 by a predetermined distance and on which the other part of the flexible display 1 is mounted. Unfolding is possible.

Hinge module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged in parallel between the first display body (2) and the second display body (3) a plurality of connected to be rotated relative to the upper edge (axis) ( In this embodiment, seven link bodies 110 and each of the link bodies 110 extend in the left and right directions (the X-axis directions in the drawing) of the flexible display 1 and move a predetermined distance in the left and right directions. Positioning where the shaft 120 and the plurality of

positioning grooves

141 and 142 are formed at both end portions of the link body 110 and the end portions of the shaft 120 are elastically inserted. The block 140, the elastic member 130 that elastically supports the shaft 120 with respect to the link body 110, and the link bodies 110 overlap the shafts 120 so as to be relatively rotatable. Sphere including a plurality of connecting levers 150 to be connected It consists of.

In addition, the link body 110 has a plurality of slots 161 into which the connecting lever 150 is inserted, and a guide block having shaft guide holes 162 into which the respective shafts 120 are inserted and guided. 160 is combined.

Each of the link bodies 110 has a rectangular bar shape extending in the left and right directions of the flexible display 1 and has an upper edge when the first display body 2 is rotated relative to the second display body 3. It rotates around the edge. Two link bodies 110 disposed at both ends of the link bodies 110 are connected to the first display body 2 and the second display body 3, respectively.

Block receiving grooves 112 to which the guide block 160 is coupled are formed in both side portions of the link body 110 to be concave. In addition, the positioning block 140 is integrally formed at the outer end of the block receiving groove 112 of the link body 110, and the positioning block 140 is in the width direction of the link body 110 (Fig. It is formed to protrude in the Y-axis direction and overlaps the surface of another adjacent link body (110). Two

positioning grooves

141 and 142 are disposed in the positioning block 140 to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance up and down.

The shafts 120 are slidably connected in both directions to the guide block 160 through the shaft guide hole 162 of the guide block 160. The inner end of the shaft 120 is coupled to a nut 121 that serves as a stopper to limit the movement of the shaft 120. The outer end of each shaft 120 is elastically inserted into the

positioning grooves

141 and 142 of the positioning block 140 of the other adjacent link body 110 overlapping the corresponding link body 110. . It is preferable that the outer end of the shaft 120 has a rounded curved surface so that the shaft 120 can be smoothly inserted into or withdrawn from the

positioning grooves

141 and 142 of the positioning block 140.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 130 is composed of a compression coil spring that is fitted to the shaft 120, one end is supported in contact with the outer surface of the guide block 160 and the other end is in the shaft 120 While being in contact with and supported by the spring support end 122 formed, the elastic force is applied to the shaft 120 in the outward direction with respect to the guide block 160.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connecting lever 150 has a circular shaft hole 151 in which the respective shafts 120 are individually inserted, and the shaft holes 151 are formed at both sides thereof. Both of the shafts 120 of the shaft 120 inserted into each of the two long hole-shaped guide hole 152 is inserted into a plate shape is formed obliquely. The connection lever 150 is inserted into any one of the plurality of slots 161 formed in the guide block 160 and connected to the shafts 120.

Both guide holes 152 of the connecting levers 150 are inclined in a curved shape so that the link body 110 has the same trajectory as the rotational trajectory of the shafts 120 when the link body 110 rotates with the upper edge as the central axis. Is done.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the shaft 120, the elastic member 130, the positioning block 140, the guide block 160, the connecting lever 150 is configured to be symmetrical on both sides of each link body 110 However, unlike the shaft 120 and the elastic member 130, the positioning block 140, the guide block 160, the connecting lever 150 may be provided only on one side of the link body (110).

The hinge module for a flexible display device configured as described above operates as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 6, in a state in which the flexible display 1 is fully opened, the link bodies 110 are arranged in parallel with each other, and the outer ends of the respective shafts 120 are respectively positioned positioning blocks. It is elastically inserted into the lower positioning groove 141 inside the 140.

In this state, when the user grabs the first display body 2 and exerts a force in the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 6 to 8, each of the link bodies 110 has Z as an upper edge. Rotate axially. At this time, each of the shafts 120 inserted in the guide block 160 of the link body 110 also rotates with the link body 110.

As the link body 110 and the shaft 120 rotate in the Z-axis direction, the shafts 120 exit from the

lower positioning grooves

141 and 142 of the positioning block 140 and the lower positioning groove 141. ) And move in contact with the surface between the upper positioning groove 142 elastically.

When the user grabs the first display body 2 and exerts further force in the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 9 to 11, the respective link bodies 110 are directed toward the Z-axis with the upper edge as the axis. It is further rotated to have a structure that is almost rounded up. At this time, the outer end of each of the shaft 120 is elastically inserted into the upper positioning groove 142 of the positioning block 140. Accordingly, since each link body 110 is elastically supported by the shaft 120 connected to the other link body 110, the link body 110 can maintain the rotated angle as it is.

In this embodiment, two positioning

grooves

141 and 142 are used to limit the rotation of the link bodies 110 in two positions (open and nested positions), but the positions of the

positioning grooves

141 and 142 are limited. By varying the number of and to limit the rotation of the link body 110 in various positions it may be possible to maintain the angle of the flexible display (1).

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be capable of various substitutions, additions, and modifications without departing from the technical spirit described above. It is to be understood that such modified embodiments are also within the protection scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention can be applied to a hinge module for a flexible display device such as a portable mobile communication terminal such as DMB, WiBro, PDA, mobile phone, smart phone, tablet PC.

Claims

A first display body 2 having a portion of the flexible display 1 mounted on an upper surface thereof, spaced apart from the first display body 2 by a predetermined distance, and having another portion of the flexible display 1 mounted on an upper surface thereof; In the hinge module for a flexible display device rotatably installed between the second display body (3),

A plurality of link bodies 110 arranged side by side between the first display body 2 and the second display body 3 so as to be relatively rotatable with an upper edge as an axis;

A shaft (120) extending in the left and right directions of the flexible display (1) and movable to a predetermined distance in each of the link bodies (110);

Positioning block 140 is formed on one or both ends of each of the link body 110, the plurality of positioning grooves (141, 142) is formed in which the end of the shaft 120 is elastically inserted and;

The hinge module for a flexible display device, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of elastic members 130 to elastically support the shaft 120 for each of the link body (110).
The flexible display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the link bodies 110 are rotatably connected to each other by a plurality of connection levers 150 connected to each other while overlapping the plurality of shafts 120. Hinge module.
According to claim 2, The link body 110 is formed with a plurality of slots 161, the connecting lever 150 is inserted, and the shaft guide hole 162 is inserted into each shaft 120 is guided The guide block 160 is fixedly installed, the elastic member 130 is a hinge module for a flexible display device, characterized in that one end is supported while contacting the guide block 160.
According to claim 2 or 3, The connecting lever 150 has a shaft hole 151 is formed in each of the shaft 120 is inserted in the central portion, and the shaft hole 151 is inserted in both sides The hinge module for a flexible display device, characterized in that the two holes-shaped guide holes 152 into which the shafts 120 disposed on both sides of the shaft 120 are inserted are inclined.
According to claim 1, wherein the positioning block 140 is formed to protrude in the width direction of the link body 110 at the end of the link body 110, on the surface of another adjacent link body 110 The hinge module for a flexible display device, characterized in that the overlapping contact with the outer end of the shaft 120 installed in the other link body (110).
A first display body 2 having a portion of the flexible display 1 mounted on an upper surface thereof, spaced apart from the first display body 2 by a predetermined distance, and having another portion of the flexible display 1 mounted on an upper surface thereof; In the hinge module for a flexible display device rotatably installed between the second display body (3),

A plurality of link bodies 110 arranged side by side between the first display body 2 and the second display body 3 so as to be relatively rotatable with an upper edge as an axis;

A shaft (120) extending in the left and right directions of the flexible display (1) and movable to a predetermined distance in each of the link bodies (110);

One side or both ends of each of the link body 110 is formed to protrude in the width direction of the link body 110 is installed so as to overlap the surface of another adjacent link body 110, the adjacent A positioning block 140 having a plurality of positioning grooves 141 and 142 into which the end of the shaft 120 installed in the other link body 110 is elastically inserted;

A plurality of elastic members 130 elastically supporting the shaft 120 with respect to each of the link bodies 110;

A shaft hole 151 through which the respective shafts 120 are individually inserted is formed in a central portion, and shafts 120 disposed on both sides of the shaft 120 inserted into the shaft hole 151 are inserted into both sides. Two long hole-shaped guide holes 152 are formed in an inclined plate form, the plurality of connecting levers 150 connected to each other overlapping the shafts 120 so as to rotatably connect the link bodies 110 with respect to each other. Hinge module for a flexible display device comprising a.
According to claim 6, The link body 110 is formed with a plurality of slots 161, the connection lever 150 is inserted, and the shaft guide hole 162 is inserted into each shaft 120 is guided The guide block 160 is fixedly installed, the elastic member 130 is a hinge module for a flexible display device, characterized in that one end is supported while contacting the guide block 160.