KR20200117780A - Hinge Apparatus And Foldable Display Apparatus Having The Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge device and a foldable display device having the same. The hinge device includes a hinge unit combined so that a flexible display panel can be unfolded and folded. The hinge unit is composed of a first hinge unit having a first actual shaft gear and a second hinge unit having a second actual shaft gear, wherein the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit are symmetric to each other, and an elevating unit elevated when a first hinge body or a second hinge body rotates is provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body.

Description

Hinge device and a foldable display device having the same {Hinge Apparatus And Foldable Display Apparatus Having The Same}

The present invention relates to a hinge device and a foldable display device having the same.

A flexible display panel is a display panel that can be bent at a predetermined curvature.

The foldable display device includes a flexible display panel capable of a touch input.

The present invention achieves a simple structure through an assembly structure of a four-row gear consisting of a real shaft gear having a real shaft and a rotating gear meshing with the real shaft gear during repeated unfolding and folding operations of a foldable display device, and unfolding without interference And a hinge device in which the folding operation is performed, and a foldable display device including the hinge device.

The solution means of the present invention includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable an unfolding and folding operation of the flexible display panel,

The hinge unit,

It consists of a first hinge unit having a first actual shaft gear and a second hinge unit having a second actual shaft gear,

The first hinge unit and the second hinge unit form a symmetric structure with each other,

A hinge device may be provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body, in which an elevating unit that is elevated when the first hinge body or the second hinge body is rotated is provided.

Another solution of the present invention includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable the unfolding and folding operation of the flexible display panel,

The hinge unit,

A first hinge unit having a first actual shaft gear;

A second hinge unit having a second actual shaft gear;

A driven gear unit that guides the rotation of the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit;

Including,

The first hinge unit and the second hinge unit form a symmetric structure with each other,

A hinge device may be provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body, in which an elevating unit that is elevated when the first hinge body or the second hinge body is rotated is provided.

The present invention is another solution, the flexible display panel for providing an image;

It includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable the unfolding and folding of the flexible display panel,

The hinge unit,

It consists of a first hinge unit having a first actual shaft gear and a second hinge unit having a second actual shaft gear,

The first hinge unit and the second hinge unit form a symmetric structure with each other,

A foldable display device may be provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body, in which an elevating unit that is elevated when the first hinge body or the second hinge body is rotated is provided.

The present invention is another solution, the flexible display panel for providing an image;

It includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable the unfolding and folding of the flexible display panel,

The hinge unit,

A first hinge unit having a first actual shaft gear;

A second hinge unit having a second actual shaft gear;

A driven gear unit that guides the rotation of the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit;

Including,

The first hinge unit and the second hinge unit form a symmetric structure with each other,

A foldable display device may be provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body, in which an elevating unit that is elevated when the first hinge body or the second hinge body is rotated is provided.

The flexible display panel is a state-of-the-art technology that folds one sheet without a joint based on the folding center.

However, in order to fold the flexible display panel, at least two body parts including a body part supporting one side of the panel and a body part supporting the other side of the panel are required, and a hinge device serving as a rotation center is inserted between the pair of body parts. I can. A hinge device is provided inside the flexible display panel to perform an unfolding operation and a folding operation.

By using the hinge device of the present invention, the operation of expanding or folding a pair of body parts is repeatedly performed.

According to the present invention, the foldable display device improves the problem of excessive folding beyond the limit of bending deformation that the flexible display panel can withstand in the folding center, which is the boundary part of the first and second body parts in which the hinge device is installed. can do.

Since the unfolding and folding operation is not reliably performed or the length of the panel mounting surface may be changed when the hinge device is rotated, a problem that the flexible display panel may be damaged due to compression or tensile force can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately expand and fold the flexible display panel through the first real shaft gear and the second real shaft gear which are symmetrical to each other.

The present invention is composed of a combination of a first real shaft gear having a real shaft, a second real shaft gear, and a first rotation gear and a second rotation gear meshing with these real shaft gears, so it is flexible with a simple and compact structure. The unfolding and folding of the display panel can be reliably implemented.

The present invention can be arbitrarily stopped at a desired angle through an angle maintaining unit, and can be used in a 180 degree flat state through a stopper.

In the present invention, when a user performs an unfolding operation of a flexible display panel with an excessive force, it is not rotated by more than 180 degrees by a stopper and can be maintained in a stopped state, and damage to the hinge device or damage to the flexible display panel due to an excessive rotation operation Can be prevented.

The present invention is composed of a combination of a first real shaft gear having a real shaft, a second real shaft gear, and a first rack, a second rack, and a pinion gear meshing with the real shaft gears, so that the structure is simple and miniaturized. The unfolding and folding operation of the flexible display panel can be reliably implemented.

The present invention can be stopped at a desired angle through the angle holding member having elasticity.

In the present invention, when the flexible display panel is opened and folded, the flexible display panel is not coupled to a portion of the end portions of the first hinge body and the second hinge body. have.

1 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to the present invention.
2 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.
3 is an exploded perspective view of a folded state in FIG. 2.
4 is a perspective view of the lifting unit in FIG. 2.
5 is a plan view of a state in which the cover member is removed from FIG. 1.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5.
Fig. 8 is a view according to Fig. 6 including a schematic enlarged view.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 5.
10 is an exploded perspective view of the angle maintaining unit according to the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device according to the present invention in an unfolded state.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the folded state in FIG. 11 by 90 degrees.
13 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 13.
15 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 13 in a folded state.
16 is a perspective view of a guide member of a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 16.
18 is a plan view of a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 18.
20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 18.
21 is a perspective view of an elevating unit of a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a first real shaft gear and a second real shaft gear in a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a cross-sectional view of an unfolded hinge device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
24 is a cross-sectional view of the folded state in FIG. 23.

Hereinafter, specific details for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying exemplary drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a folded state in FIG. .

1 and 2, the hinge device 1 according to the present invention includes a first hinge body 10 and a second hinge body 20, and includes a first hinge body 10 and a second hinge. The bodies 20 can be connected to each other and rotated.

The hinge unit 30 may rotatably connect the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 to each other.

The hinge unit 30 may be composed of a first hinge unit 32 and a second hinge unit 34 having a structure symmetrical to each other.

The hinge units 30 may be formed in plural between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 at intervals along the length direction.

The first hinge unit 32 and the second hinge unit 34 may include a first real shaft gear 40 and a second real shaft gear 50, respectively.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be formed on the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, respectively.

The first actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 may be formed on the first connection member 60 and the second connection member 70, respectively.

The first connecting member 60 and the second connecting member 70 may be fixed to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, respectively.

Protrusions 61 and 71 protruding in a rotational direction may be formed on the first and second connection members 60 and 70, respectively.

The first actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 may be provided with a first rotation gear 80 and a second rotation gear 90 meshing, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 may be disposed to mesh with each other.

The first real shaft gear 40, the second real shaft gear 50, the first rotation gear 80, and the second rotation gear 90 may all have the same diameter.

The first real shaft gear 40, the second real shaft gear 50, the first rotation gear 80, and the second rotation gear 90 have the same diameter, so that simultaneous rotation is possible during a rotation operation. .

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are not circular, but may be partially removed to form a straight surface.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 do not have teeth formed in the direction of 360 degrees, respectively, but only a portion of the first teeth 41 and the second teeth 51 may be formed. have.

The first tooth portion 41 and the second tooth portion 51 of the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 exceed 90 degrees and may be formed within a range of 180 degrees. have.

Referring to FIG. 2, on both sides of the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50, a pair of supporting the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are supported. The member 100 may be provided at intervals.

The support member 100 may be provided between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 and may have a receiving groove 101 formed therein.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 have a first rotation shaft 42 and a second rotation shaft 52 rotatably coupled to the support member 100, respectively, and the first actual shaft gear 50 The shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 may be rotated between the support member 100 when the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are in a flat state, the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 are respectively a first hinge body 10 and a second hinge body. It can be formed in a position spaced apart from (20).

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are in a flat state, the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 are respectively a first hinge body 10 and a second hinge body. It may be formed with an interval on the opposite side of the flexible display panel (F) attached to the (20).

The first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 may have a first extension shaft 81 and a second extension shaft 91 extending to one side, respectively.

An elevating unit 140 may be provided between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

2 to 4, the elevating unit 140 may be provided to elevate during the rotational operation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

The elevating unit 140 is formed on the elevating plate 141 and the elevating plate 141 formed over the entire length of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 and has a moving passage 142a. Includes a pair of passage members 142, a moving rod 143 passing through the moving passage 142a of the passage member 142 and moving along the moving passage 142a, and a coupling member 144 connected to the moving rod 143 can do.

A first real shaft gear 40 and a second real shaft gear 50 are arranged on the elevator plate 141 so that interference does not occur when the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 rotate. A groove may be provided in the portion to be formed to have a narrow width.

The passage members 142 may be formed toward the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, respectively, and may be formed in plural at intervals along the length direction of the elevator plate 141.

The moving passage 142a of the passage member 142 may be formed in a long hole structure.

A plurality of coupling members 144 are respectively fixed to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 at intervals, and the coupling member 144 has an insertion tube 144a through which the moving rod 143 passes. Can be formed.

A first fixing member 110 and a second fixing member 120 are fixed to the pair of support members 100, respectively, and the first fixing member 110 is coupled to a side surface of one support member 100, and the second The fixing member 120 may be coupled to the other support member 100 at an interval.

The second fixing member 120 may be coupled to the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91, and each of the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91 has an angle maintaining unit ( 150) can be provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first fixing member 110 and the second fixing member 120 may be provided with a receiving groove 111 and a receiving groove 121 in the same manner as the support member 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of passage members 142 formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the elevator plate 141 are an assembly structure of an actual shaft gear and a rotation gear provided between a pair of support members 100 , It may be provided on the outside of the angle maintaining unit 150.

2, a stopper 130 is coupled between one support member 100 and the first fixing member 110, and the stopper 130 includes a first hinge body 10 side and a second hinge body ( Each of the 20) side can be provided.

The stopper 130 may maintain a flat state during an unfolding operation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

The hinge device 1 of the present invention can maintain a stopped state without rotating more than 180 degrees by the stopper 130 when the user unfolds the flexible display panel F with an excessive force. It is possible to prevent damage to the hinge device or damage to the flexible display panel (F).

2, 3 and 9, the angle maintaining unit 150, a first locking member 160 and a second locking member coupled to the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91, respectively It may be composed of 170 and the elastic member 180.

9 and 10, the first locking member 160 has a through hole 161 through which the first extension shaft 81 or the second extension shaft 91 passes, and the second locking member 170 The surface in contact with) may be formed as a first surface 162, a second surface 163, a third surface 164, and a fourth surface 165 having different protrusion heights at intervals along the circumferential direction. .

The first surface 162 and the third surface 164 of the first locking member 160 may be formed to protrude higher than the second surface 163 and the fourth surface 165.

The first surface 162 and the third surface 164 of the first locking member 160 may have the same height as the second surface 163 and the fourth surface 165.

The second locking member 170 has a coupling hole 171 to which the first extension shaft 81 or the second extension shaft 91 is coupled, and a part of the coupling hole 171 is formed as a straight surface 171a. Can be.

The second locking member 170 has a first surface 172, a second surface 173, a third surface 174 having a different protrusion height along the circumferential direction on a surface in contact with the first locking member 160, It may be formed as an area of the fourth surface 175.

The first surface 172 and the third surface 174 of the second locking member 170 may be formed to have a height lower than that of the second surface 173 and the fourth surface 175.

The first surface 172 and the third surface 174, the second surface 173 and the fourth surface 175 of the second locking member 170 may be formed to have the same height.

The second locking member 170 rotates together when the first extension shaft 81 or the second extension shaft 91 rotates, and may be moved in the axial direction.

The elastic member 180 may be composed of a coil spring that provides an accurate elastic force, and may be energized to always press the second locking member 170 toward the first locking member 160.

Nuts 190 for maintaining the assembled state of the first locking member 160, the second locking member 170 and the elastic member 180 at the end sides of the first and second extension shafts 81 and 91 Can be combined.

The first locking member 160 may have an extension part 166 coupled to the stopper 130.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hinge device 1 of the present invention may include a separate cover member 200, and the cover member 200 is designed to prevent the introduction of various foreign substances.

In the hinge device 1 according to the present invention, the flexible display panel F is coupled, and the unfolding and folding operations can be performed.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the hinge device 1 according to the present invention includes rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 when the flexible display panel F is opened and folded. Together, the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be rotated at the same time.

The first actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 are the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 are meshed, respectively, the first actual shaft gear 40 and the second When the actual shaft gear 50 is rotated (for example, changing from the unfolded position to the folded position), it can rotate while being engaged with the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90, respectively. .

In the hinge device 1 of the present invention, the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50, each having a symmetrical structure, have a first rotation gear 80 and a second rotation gear 90, respectively. Since the rotation movement is made by meshing, the rotation operation can be implemented without shaking.

The hinge device 1 of the present invention is formed through a four-row structure consisting of a first real shaft gear 40, a second real shaft gear 50, a first rotation gear 80, and a second rotation gear 90. Since the rotation operation is implemented, a simple structure can be achieved, and even if the rotation operation is repeated, it is always accurate and the rotation operation can be provided at the same time.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate during the unfolding and folding operation, the elevating unit 140 may operate to perform an ascending or lowering operation.

When the hinge device 1 of the present invention rotates the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 in the folded direction, the first actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 are respectively The formed first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 become the center so that the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate, and the lifting plate 141 of the lifting unit 140 rises. Can be.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate in the folded direction, the coupling members 144 respectively coupled to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate, At the same time, the moving rod 143 inserted into the insertion tube 144a of the coupling member 144 is constrained in the moving passage 142a when it is rotated, so that the lifting plate 141 is lifted by the angle of rotational movement. Can be done.

Referring to FIG. 8, the moving rod 143 is from the rotation center C of the first rotation shaft 42 of the first actual shaft gear 40 or the second rotation shaft 52 of the second actual shaft gear 50. The distance to the moving rod 143 may be a radius (R).

When the first real shaft gear 40 or the second real shaft gear 50 is rotated to a position folded by 90 degrees in a 180 degree flat state with such a radius R, the lifting plate 141 and the passage member 142 ) Rises as much as the distance that the moving rod 143 is rotated and at the same time, the moving rod 143 may move within the moving passage 142a.

Conversely, in the case of a 180-degree unfolding operation in a 90-degree folded state, the moving rods 143 of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are formed by the first rotational shaft of the first actual shaft gear 40 ( The distance between 42) and the second rotation shaft 52 of the second actual shaft gear 50 may be rotated in the opposite direction to the folding operation with a radius R.

Since the moving rod 143 moves in the downward direction, it is moved in the moving passage 142a of the passage member 142, and the lifting plate 141 may be lowered.

In the hinge device 1 of the present invention, during the folding operation, the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 may be switched from a flat horizontal state to a vertical state.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are rotated, a part of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 may enter into the receiving groove 101 of the support member 100, and the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 10 The flexible display panel F is not attached to a part of the body 20 and can be maintained in a separated state.

6, the positions of the first rotation shaft 42 of the first real shaft gear 40 and the second rotation shaft 52 of the second real shaft gear 50 are respectively the first hinge body 10 and the second rotation shaft. 2 Since it is formed at a distance from the hinge body 20, the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are each one of the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 The flexible display panel F is engaged with and can be reliably supported during the unfolding and folding operation.

Since the gears meshing with the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 can be composed of only the first rotary gear 80 and the second rotary gear 90, respectively, the structure can be simplified. .

Since the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 are arranged in mesh with each other, simultaneous rotation can be realized when the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 rotate, and is flexible. The unfolding and folding operation of the display panel F can be reliably and accurately implemented.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the hinge device 1 of the present invention is not unfolded more than 180 degrees during the unfolding operation, and can maintain a flat state.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate in the unfolding direction, the first connecting member 60 and the first connecting member 60 coupled to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 respectively 2 Since the protrusions 61 and 71 protrude from the connection member 70, the protrusions 61 and 71 may be stopped while meeting the stopper 130.

The hinge device 1 of the present invention can maintain a stationary state without rotating more than 180 degrees when the user unfolds the flexible display panel F with excessive force, and damages the hinge device due to an excessive rotation operation. Alternatively, damage to the flexible display panel F can be prevented.

The hinge device 1 of the present invention can be stopped at a desired angle within a 90 degree angle range.

The angle maintaining unit 150 may maintain rotation angles of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the first actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 rotate, the angle maintaining unit 150 rotates, respectively, the first rotation gear 80 and the second rotation gear 90 meshed. As) rotates, an operation may be implemented by rotation of the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91.

When the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91 rotate, the second locking member 170 coupled to the first extension shaft 81 and the second extension shaft 91 rotates at the same time, As the second locking member 170 rotates, it moves in the axial direction due to a contact relationship with the first locking member 160 and compresses the elastic member 180.

9 and 10, the first locking member 160 and the second locking member 170 are four first surfaces 162 and 172 having different protruding heights in the circumferential direction on the surfaces in contact with each other, respectively. To fourth surfaces 165 and 175, so when the second locking member 170 rotates, the protruding second surface 173 and the fourth surface 175 of the second locking member 170 It may be moved in the axial direction while meeting the first surface 162 and the third surface 164 protruding from the contact surface of the first locking member 160.

The flexible display panel F can be temporarily stopped at a desired angle within the unfolded position and the folded position (a range of 90° to 180°), and the protruding surface of the first locking member 160 and the second locking member 170 Since the repulsive force of the stronger elastic member 180 acts at the point where the protruding surfaces of the surface meet, the stop operation can be controlled in a plurality of steps.

The hinge device 1 of the present invention can maintain a stationary state at a desired angle when the flexible display panel F is rotated, and can maintain an unfolded angle without shaking.

[Another embodiment]

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, a hinge device 1 according to another embodiment may be provided.

13 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 13 in a folded state.

13 to 15, the hinge device 1 according to another embodiment may have a structure that rotates between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

The hinge unit 30 may rotatably connect the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 to each other.

The hinge unit 30 may be composed of a first hinge unit 32 and a second hinge unit 34 having a structure symmetrical to each other.

The hinge units 30 may be formed in plural between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 at intervals along the length direction.

The first hinge unit 32 and the second hinge unit 34 may include a first real shaft gear 40 and a second real shaft gear 50, respectively.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be formed on the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, respectively.

An elevating unit 140 may be provided between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

The elevating unit 140 may be provided to elevate and descend when the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15 and 21, the lifting unit 140 includes a lifting plate 141 and a lifting plate 141 formed over the entire length of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20. ), a pair of passage members 142 having a moving passage 142a, a moving rod 143 passing through the moving passage 142a of the passage member 142 and moving along the moving passage 142a, and a moving rod 143 ) May include a coupling member 144 connected to.

Referring to FIG. 21, the elevator plate 141 according to another embodiment may be formed to have the same width along the entire length direction.

The passage members 142 may be formed toward the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, respectively, and may be formed in plural at intervals along the length direction of the elevator plate 141.

The moving passage 142a of the passage member 142 may be formed in a long hole structure.

A plurality of coupling members 144 are respectively fixed to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 at intervals, and the coupling member 144 has an insertion tube 144a through which the moving rod 143 passes. Can be formed.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be supported by the support members 300 and 310, respectively.

Accommodating grooves 301 and 311 may be formed in the support members 300 and 310, respectively.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be rotated by meshing with the driven gear unit 400.

The driven gear unit 400 includes a first rack 410 meshing with the first actual shaft gear 40, a second rack 420 meshing with the second actual shaft gear 50, and a first rack 410 It may be configured as a pinion gear 430 meshed between the and the second rack 420.

The first rack 410 has a first tooth portion 411 and a second tooth portion 412 in which the first actual shaft gear 40 and the pinion gear 430 are meshed on the first and second surfaces, respectively. Can be.

Like the first rack 410, the second rack 420 has a first toothed portion 421 and a first tooth that meshes with the second actual shaft gear 50 and the pinion gear 430, respectively, on the first and second surfaces. 2 teeth 422 may be formed.

16 and 17, a guide member 500 for guiding the first and second racks 410 and 420 may be provided in the driven gear unit 400.

The guide member 500 may have a first rack 410 and a second rack 420 inserted therein, and a guide rail 510 that moves linearly may be formed.

The guide member 500 may have an insertion groove 520 into which a pinion gear 430 rotated between the first rack 410 and the second rack 420 is inserted.

Both sides of the insertion groove 520 are through holes that enable engagement with the pinion gear 430 and the second teeth 412 and 422 formed on the side surfaces of the first rack 410 and the second rack 420 521 may be formed.

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are each provided with a first rotation shaft 42 and a second rotation shaft 52 that are rotatably supported by the support members 300 and 310. I can.

Each of the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 may be coupled to each have an elastic angle maintaining member 600 wrapped around it.

14, 15 and 19, the angle maintaining member 600 may have a passage portion 610 through which the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 pass, respectively, and the passage portion 610 ) May have a straight surface 611.

Linear surfaces 42a and 52a may be formed on portions of the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 facing the straight surface 611 of the passage part 610.

The passage part 610 of the angle maintaining member 600 is elastically changed when the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 rotate, so that the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 rotate. When rotating, it is not smoothly rotated and can be temporarily stopped at a desired rotation angle.

The angle maintaining member 600 may be formed by extending a coupling portion 620 coupled to the guide member 500.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are rotated, the angle maintaining member 600 is not rotated together, but in a fixed state, the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 You can make it pause at a set angle

The guide member 500 may be formed with a coupling protrusion 530 coupled to the coupling portion 620 of the angle maintaining member 600, the coupling hole 621 in which the coupling protrusion 530 is coupled to the coupling portion 620 ) Can be formed.

A first rotation shaft 42 and a second rotation shaft 52 may be rotatably coupled to a side surface of the guide member 500.

The hinge device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention may prevent the flexible display panel F from being unfolded more than 180 degrees when it is in a flat state due to an unfolding operation.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 17, the guide member 500 includes a first connecting member 60 and a second connecting member 70 coupled to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20. The engaging portion 540 in contact may be formed.

When the first hinge body 10 or the second hinge body 20 rotates in a flat state, the first connecting member 60 and the second connecting member 70 are connected to the engaging portion 540 of the guide member 540 Since the jam is made while contacting with each other, the unfolding operation is no longer possible and the flat state can be maintained.

13, a separate cover member 200 may be provided in the hinge device 1, and the cover member 200 is designed to prevent the introduction of various foreign substances.

In the hinge device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the flexible display panel F is opened and folded, the first real axis is rotated together with the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20. The gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be rotated at the same time.

When the first actual shaft gear 40 or the second actual shaft gear 50 is symmetrical to each other and rotates, the first rack 410 and the second rack 420 meshed with each other may linearly move at the same time.

Since the pinion gear 430 is meshed between the first rack 410 and the second rack 420, when rotating the first actual shaft gear 40 or the second actual shaft gear 50, while helping each other Rotation can be made smoothly.

Since the first rack 410 and the second rack 420 move linearly in the guide rail 510 of the guide member 500, the first and second actual shaft gears 40 and 50 are When rotating, it is possible to make sure rotational motion without shaking.

In the hinge device 1 of the present invention, when the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are rotated during the unfolding and folding operation of the flexible display panel F, the elevating unit 140 is raised or lowered. The operation can be performed.

In the hinge device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, when the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are rotated in the folded direction, the first actual The first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 respectively formed on the shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 become the center, and the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 Is rotated, the lifting plate 141 of the lifting unit 140 may be raised.

When the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate in the folding direction, the coupling members 144 respectively coupled to the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 rotate, At the same time, the moving rod 143 inserted into the insertion tube 144a of the coupling member 144 is constrained in the moving passage 142a when it is rotated, so that the lifting plate 141 is lifted by the angle of rotation movement Can be done.

The moving rod 143 has a radius from the center of rotation of the first rotation shaft 42 of the first real shaft gear 40 or the second rotation shaft 52 of the second real shaft gear 50 to the moving rod 143 Can be

With such a radius, when the first real shaft gear 40 or the second real shaft gear 50 is rotated to a position folded by 90 degrees in a 180 degree flat state, the lifting plate 141 and the passage member 142 are moved The moving rod 143 may be moved within the moving passage 142a while rising as much as the rotational distance of the 143 is moved.

Conversely, in the case of a 180-degree unfolding operation in a 90-degree folded state, the moving rods 143 of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 are formed by the first rotational shaft of the first actual shaft gear 40 ( The distance between 42) and the second rotation shaft 52 of the second actual shaft gear 50 may be rotated in the opposite direction to the folding operation with a radius R.

Since the moving rod 143 moves in the downward direction, it is moved in the moving passage 142a of the passage member 142, and the lifting plate 141 may be lowered.

The hinge device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention can be temporarily stopped at a desired angle during the unfolding and folding operation.

When the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are rotated, the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 may be rotated while passing through the angle maintaining member 600. .

In the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52, one surface of the passage portion 610 constituting the angle maintaining member 600 is formed as a straight surface 611, and the straight surface of the passage portion 610 ( Since straight surfaces 42a and 52a are also formed on the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 facing the 611), the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 are passed through the passage part 610 ) Is not easily rotated, and may be paused accordingly.

When the hinge device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention rotates the first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 with a stronger force, the passage portion 610 has elasticity, and thus elastic deformation occurs. The second rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 may be rotated while being pressed.

The hinge device 1 according to the present invention may be provided in a foldable display device.

The foldable display device supports a hinge device (1), a flexible display panel (F) and a flexible display panel (F) formed on the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 of the hinge device 1 It may be composed of a first support frame and a second support frame.

When the foldable display device of the present invention is folded, it may be implemented in an infolding manner in which a screen portion is disposed inside.

The foldable display device of the present invention may constitute a plurality of folding centers 730 by installing a plurality of hinge devices 1.

11 and 12, a center point at which the flexible display panel F is folded may be defined as a folding center 730. One side and the other side of the flexible display panel F may be folded or unfolded around the folding center 730. The radius of curvature of the folding center 730 may be allowed from 0.1mm, which is a level of completely overlapping, to several mm, which is a level where one side and the other side have some gaps. The radius of curvature of which the minimum level is desirable may vary depending on the characteristics of the OLED, which is a material of the flexible display panel F, or the performance of the hinge unit 30.

The important point may be that the flexible display panel F is a single panel that is completely connected so that there are no joints or cuts in the portion facing the hinge unit 30. On the other hand, since the first hinge body 10 to which one side of the flexible display panel F is in close contact and the second hinge body 20 to which the other side is in close contact must be rotated based on the folding center 730, it is separated into two. It can be a separate member. Here, a means for filling a gap between the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 is required, and a lift plate 141 may be provided for this purpose.

It may be appropriate that the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, which are separate members, have different rotation centers. It is preferable that the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20 should not move freely, but only change the angle while maintaining a constant relative position with each other. To this end, it is preferable that the rotation center of the first hinge body 10 and the rotation center of the second hinge body 20 are fixed positions. The rotation center of the first hinge body 10 is the first center 710 coinciding with the rotation center of the first actual shaft gear 40, and the rotation center of the second hinge body 20 is the second actual shaft gear ( It may be a second center 720 that is a rotation center of 50).

A direction in which one side and the other side of the flexible display panel F face each other, and the exposed side facing the flexible display panel F by the user is defined as the first panel surface, and the flexible display panel F is the first hinge body. (10) and the surface facing the second hinge body 20 may be defined as the second panel surface. When the flexible display panel (F) is completely folded, the rotation angles of the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 are viewed at 0 degrees. The rotation angle of the 1 actual shaft gear 40 and the second actual shaft gear 50 can be viewed at 90 degrees. In order to form a gear tooth having a predetermined size or more in a range of at least 90 degrees, the radiuses of the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be greater than a predetermined value.

In consideration of the radius of each gear, the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 cannot be provided on the first panel surface side, but are preferably disposed on the second panel surface side. The first center 710 and the second center 720 are also difficult to be located at a position spaced apart from the first panel surface upward and may be located at a position spaced apart from the second panel surface in a direction toward each hinge body.

Referring to FIG. 11, a state in which the flexible display panel F is fully unfolded in one plane may be defined as a 180 degree position. Referring to FIG. 12, a state in which one side and the other side of the flexible display panel F face at least parallel with respect to the folding center 730 may be defined as a 0 degree position.

Since the first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 only rotate while being fixed at a predetermined position, the separation distance between the first center 710 and the second center 720 may be constant. .

The first real shaft gear 40 and the second real shaft gear 50 may be provided at positions spaced apart from the second panel surface along a direction from the first panel surface toward the second panel surface. The first rotation shaft 42 and the second rotation shaft 52 must have a predetermined diameter, and the flexible display panel F must have a smooth plane. Accordingly, the first center 710 and the second center 720 may be provided at positions spaced apart from the second panel surface along a direction from the first panel surface toward the second panel surface.

Since the first center 710 and the second center 720, which are rotation centers of each of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, are provided at positions retracted from the second panel surface, the first center ( A means for supporting a part of the flexible display panel F between the 710 and the second center 720 is required. This may be the elevator plate 141.

In the 180-degree position shown in FIG. 11, the folding center 730 is present in a position that is biased toward the first panel surface or outward from the straight line connecting the first center 710 and the second center 720. I can. In the 0 degree position shown in FIG. 12, the folding center 730 may exist in a position that is biased from the straight line connecting the first center 710 and the second center 720 to the second panel surface or in the second direction facing the inside. have. According to the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, the folding center 730 of the flexible display panel F is a straight line connecting the first center 710 and the second center 720. It can be moved linearly from one side to the other. In response to the linear movement of the folding center 730, the elevator plate 141 facing the second panel surface of the flexible display panel F may be linearly moved.

Before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, the portion where the flexible display panel F maintains a plane is defined as a flat portion, and the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body ( A portion where the flexible display panel F bends before and after rotation of 20) may be defined as a curved portion.

Referring to FIG. 11, before and after rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, the planar portion may be in close contact with each of the first and second hinge bodies 10 and 20. Before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, the curved portion may be spaced apart from the lifting unit 140 or the lifting plate 141. The curved portion may be separated from each of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20.

Referring to FIG. 12, before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, at least a portion of the curved portion may be spaced apart from each of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20. have. Before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, at least a portion of the curved portion is spaced apart from each of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, and the body separation unit ( 810 may be provided on the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20. The flexible display panel F may not be adhered to or fixed to the body separating part 810.

Before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, at least a portion of the curved portion may be spaced apart from the lifting unit 140 or the lifting plate 141. Before and after the rotation of the first hinge body 10 and the second hinge body 20, at least a part of the curved portion is spaced apart from the lifting unit 140 or the lifting plate 141, and the lifting plate separating part 820 lifts and descends. It may be provided on the unit 140 or the elevator plate 141. The flexible display panel F may not be adhered to or fixed to the elevator plate separation unit 820.

F: flexible display panel 1: hinge device
10: first hinge body 20: second hinge body
30: hinge unit 32: first hinge unit
34: second hinge unit 40: first actual shaft gear
41: tooth portion 42: first rotation shaft
50: second actual shaft gear 51: tooth portion
52: second rotation shaft 60: first connecting member
61: protrusion 70: second connecting member
71: protrusion 80: first rotating gear
81: first extension shaft 81a: straight surface
90: second rotation gear 91: second extension shaft
91a: straight surface 100: support member
101: receiving groove 110: first fixing member
120: second fixing member 130: stopper
140: elevating unit 141: elevating plate
142: passage member 142a: moving passage
143: moving rod 144: lifting plate
144a: insertion tube 150: angle maintenance unit
160: first locking member 161: through hole
162: first side 163: second side
164: page 3 165: page 4
166: extension part 170: second locking member
171: coupling hole 171a: straight surface
172: side 1 173: side 2
174: page 3 175: page 4
180: elastic member 190: nut
200: cover member 300,310: support member
301,311: receiving groove 400: driven gear unit
410: first rack 411: first tooth portion
412: second tooth portion 420: second rack
421: first tooth part 422: second tooth part
430: pinion gear 500: guide member
510: guide rail 520: insertion groove
521: through hole 530: coupling protrusion
540: locking part 600: angle holding member
610: passage portion 620: coupling portion
621: coupling hole
710: first center 720: second center
730: folding center 810: body separation unit
820: elevator plate separation unit

Claims (9)

It includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable the unfolding and folding of the flexible display panel,
The hinge unit,
It consists of a first hinge body having a first actual shaft gear and a second hinge body having a second actual shaft gear,
A hinge device provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body, an elevating unit that is elevated when the first hinge body or the second hinge body rotates.
The method according to claim 1,
The hinge unit,
A support member for rotatably supporting the first real shaft and the second real shaft is included,
A receiving groove is formed in the support member,
The elevating unit,
A hinge device comprising a lifting plate that is raised and lowered in the receiving groove when the first hinge body and the second hinge body rotate.
The method according to claim 1,
The hinge unit,
A support member for rotatably supporting the first real shaft and the second real shaft is included,
A receiving groove is formed in the support member,
The elevating unit,
It includes a lifting plate that is elevated in the receiving groove when the first hinge body or the second hinge body rotates,
A passage member is formed on the elevator plate, and the passage member passes through a moving rod that moves together when the first hinge body and the second hinge body rotate,
A hinge device in which the elevator plate is raised and lowered with the movement of the moving rod in the passage member.
The method according to claim 1,
When the end portions of the first hinge body and the second hinge body are flat, they are formed at intervals from each other,
A hinge device in which the elevator plate of the lifting unit is raised and lowered at a distance between the first hinge body and the end of the second hinge body.
The method according to claim 1,
The elevating unit is provided with an elevating plate that is elevated between the first hinge body and the second hinge body,
A passage member is provided on the elevator plate,
The passage member passes through a moving rod that moves together when the first hinge body and the second hinge body rotate,
The moving rod is a hinge device that moves together with the first hinge body and the second hinge body.
The method according to claim 1,
The elevating unit,
An elevator plate that is elevated between the first hinge body and the second hinge body is provided,
A passage member is provided on the elevator plate,
The passage member is formed with a moving passage having a long hole structure,
In the moving passage, a moving rod that moves together when the first hinge body and the second hinge body rotate is passed,
The moving rod is a hinge device connected to a coupling member fixed to the first hinge body and the second hinge body.
The method according to claim 1,
The elevating unit,
A lift plate is provided that is elevated and lowered between the first hinge body and the second hinge body,
A passage member is formed on the elevator plate,
A moving rod connected to the first hinge body and the second hinge body passes through the passage member,
When the first hinge body and the second hinge body rotate around the first rotation axis of the first real shaft gear and the second rotation axis of the second real shaft gear, the moving rod moves in the passage member and the elevator plate is raised and lowered.
The method according to claim 1,
One end of the first hinge body and the second hinge body are formed at intervals from each other when in a flat state,
The flexible display panel is a hinge device provided apart from one end of the first hinge body and the second hinge body without being fixed to a portion of one end thereof.
It includes a hinge unit that is coupled to enable the unfolding and folding of the flexible display panel,
The hinge unit,
It consists of a first hinge body having a first actual shaft gear and a second hinge body having a second actual shaft gear,
A foldable display device in which an elevating unit that is elevated and lowered when the first hinge body or the second hinge body is rotated is provided between the first hinge body and the second hinge body.

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