Supporting piece, flexible screen assembly and foldable electronic equipment
By employing carbon fiber layers arranged in different directions and with gap design within the carbon fiber layer, combined with resin bonding molding, the stress concentration problem in flexible electronic devices is solved, achieving a support structure with high reliability and flexural strength.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HI P SHANGHAI PRECISION MOLD & DIE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
In existing flexible electronic devices, carbon fiber supports are prone to stress concentration in the folded areas, leading to cracking, breakage or fatigue failure, and it is difficult to balance flexibility and support strength.
By arranging carbon fiber layers in different directions, and setting carbon fibers in different directions in the first and second braided layers to form gap areas, and then bonding them with thermosetting or thermoplastic resins, a support structure with flexible folding properties is formed.
It effectively alleviates stress concentration in the folding area, improves local flexibility and folding resistance, simplifies the manufacturing process, and enhances reliability and service life.
Smart Images
Figure CN224137851U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a support member, and more particularly to a support member, a flexible screen assembly, and a foldable electronic device. Background Technology
[0002] In existing flexible electronic devices (such as foldable phones and tablets), carbon fiber sheets are typically used as support components to provide the necessary structural strength while achieving folding functionality. However, most carbon fiber support components are formed by laminating carbon fiber fabrics in a single weave direction. Although this can achieve a certain degree of local flexibility, the unidirectional arrangement of the carbon fiber filaments causes the material to exhibit strong anisotropy under stress, which easily leads to stress concentration in the folding area, resulting in cracking, fracture, or fatigue failure.
[0003] To improve the flexural strength of flexible areas, existing technologies involve thinning zones or perforation on carbon fiber sheets, or adjusting local stiffness by varying the number of fiber layers in different regions. However, these methods not only increase manufacturing complexity but may also disrupt the overall mechanical continuity of the carbon fiber sheet, affecting long-term reliability. Furthermore, in carbon fiber layers with a single orientation, the fibers extend in the same direction, resulting in weaker load-bearing capacity perpendicular to the fiber direction at folded areas, making it difficult to balance flexibility and support strength. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a support member that can improve local flexibility and flexural strength.
[0005] This utility model provides a support member, including a carbon fiber layer and a conductive layer laid on the carbon fiber layer. The carbon fiber layer includes a first braided layer and at least two second braided layers disposed on the first braided layer. The carbon fibers in the first braided layer are arranged along a predetermined first direction, and the carbon fibers in the second braided layers are arranged along a predetermined second direction. The first direction and the second direction are different. There is a gap between the at least two second braided layers to form a foldable area. The first braided layer and the at least two second braided layers are stacked on top of each other to form a support structure with flexible folding performance.
[0006] In one embodiment, the first braided layer and / or the second braided layer are made of T700 carbon fiber or M40 carbon fiber material.
[0007] In one embodiment, the carbon fiber arrangement direction in the first and second braided layers is selected from at least two combinations of 0°, 90°, and ±45°.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first braided layer and the second braided layer are bonded together using a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin.
[0009] In one embodiment, the at least two second braided layers are arranged side by side, and the gap width between adjacent second braided layers is 10mm-15mm.
[0010] In one embodiment, the first braided layer is a continuous structure, and the at least two second braided layers are disposed on the same surface of the first braided layer.
[0011] In one embodiment, the gap between the at least two second braided layers is linear or strip-shaped.
[0012] In one embodiment, the conductive layer is made of metal foil or conductive ink.
[0013] This utility model also provides a flexible screen assembly, including a support member and a flexible screen as described in the above embodiments. The support member is used to support the flexible screen, and the flexible screen has a bendable portion, which is correspondingly arranged with the foldable area of the support member.
[0014] A foldable electronic device, characterized in that it includes the flexible screen assembly described in the above embodiments.
[0015] The present invention provides a support member with a structure of a first braided layer and at least two second braided layers disposed thereon, wherein the carbon fiber arrangement directions in the first braided layer and the second braided layer are different. By combining and arranging fibers in different directions, stress concentration in the folding area is effectively relieved, local flexibility and folding resistance are improved, and no complicated post-processing steps are required, making the process simple and highly reliable. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the support member provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 The carbon fiber arrangement diagram of the first braided layer and the second braided layer provided for the first embodiment of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 3 The carbon fiber arrangement diagram of the first and second braided layers provided for the second embodiment of this utility model.
[0020] Figure 4 The carbon fiber arrangement diagram of the first and second braided layers provided for the third embodiment of this utility model.
[0021] Figure 5 The carbon fiber arrangement diagram of the first and second braided layers provided in the fourth embodiment of this utility model.
[0022] Figure label:
[0023] 1. First woven layer; 2. Second woven layer; 3. Foldable area. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the description of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0025] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.
[0026] The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of description and simplification, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0027] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used merely to distinguish elements with similar properties, not to indicate or imply relative importance or a specific order.
[0028] The terms “include,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which includes not only the elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed.
[0029] Please refer to Figure 1A support member provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a carbon fiber layer and a conductive layer laid on the carbon fiber layer. The carbon fiber layer includes a first braided layer 1 and at least two second braided layers 2 disposed on the first braided layer 1. The carbon fibers in the first braided layer 1 are arranged along a first direction, and the carbon fibers in the second braided layers 2 are arranged along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different.
[0030] Optionally, at least two second braided layers 2 are arranged side by side along the same surface of the first braided layer 1, with a gap between adjacent second braided layers 2 forming a foldable region 3.
[0031] Optionally, the gap width between adjacent second braided layers 2 is 10mm-15mm. The specific gap can be determined according to the actual folding radius requirements of the flexible screen or folding component, so as to flexibly adjust the flexibility and local stress distribution of the foldable area 3, ensuring that the folding area has sufficient bending deformation capacity, while avoiding insufficient flexibility due to too small a gap or affecting the support continuity due to too large a gap, thereby achieving an effective balance between folding reliability and overall structural stability.
[0032] It is understood that those skilled in the art can select a gap width of 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, or 15mm according to actual needs.
[0033] Optionally, the gap between at least two second braided layers 2 is linear or strip-shaped. Linear or strip-shaped gaps can form regular and continuous flexible paths in the folded area, further optimizing the stress release direction at the folded portion.
[0034] Optionally, the first braided layer 1 and at least two second braided layers 2 are bonded together with thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin to form an integral support structure.
[0035] Optionally, the thermosetting resin is epoxy resin. Epoxy resin has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and forms a dense three-dimensional cross-linked molecular network structure during curing, giving the bonded areas excellent mechanical strength and impact resistance. When used with reinforcing materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar fiber, epoxy resin can effectively improve the overall performance of the composite structure, making it particularly suitable for high-performance support applications. Furthermore, epoxy resin has a low shrinkage rate during curing, which helps reduce internal residual stress and ensures the dimensional accuracy of the support after molding. This is especially suitable for flexible screen component support structures in 3C products (such as mobile phones and tablets) with high dimensional tolerance requirements, ensuring their reliability and durability during repeated folding and unfolding.
[0036] Optionally, the thermoplastic resin is polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin. PEEK resin has high fracture toughness and excellent creep resistance, maintaining stable mechanical properties even in extreme environments such as high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, as a thermoplastic material, PEEK resin can be directly hot-pressed with a carbon fiber braided layer after melting, without requiring a chemical cross-linking reaction during curing. Compared to thermosetting resins, it offers a faster molding cycle and better reprocessability. In support structures, PEEK resin can further enhance the fatigue life of the folding area and the overall structural thermal stability, making it particularly suitable for flexible electronic products that require high-frequency folding or prolonged exposure to high temperatures, such as foldable tablets and wearable smart devices.
[0037] Optionally, the conductive layer is disposed on the side of the first braided layer 1 away from the second braided layer 2, and can be made of metal foil, conductive ink, etc., to achieve electromagnetic shielding or heat conduction functions.
[0038] Based on the above structure, various embodiments of this application are proposed.
[0039] First Embodiment
[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the carbon fibers in the first braided layer 1 are arranged along the 0° direction, that is, parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. The carbon fibers in the second braided layer 2 are arranged along the 90° direction, that is, perpendicular to the first braided layer 1. Through the above-mentioned 0° / 90° orthogonal arrangement structure, the support member has high tensile strength and bending resistance in both the horizontal and vertical directions, which can effectively improve the overall support strength. At the same time, excellent local flexibility is achieved in the foldable area 3 through gap design, making it suitable for flexible electronic devices that require high rigidity and good folding performance.
[0041] Second Embodiment
[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the carbon fibers in the first braided layer 1 are arranged along a 90° direction, and the carbon fibers in the second braided layer 2 are arranged along a 0° direction. By interchanged the arrangement directions of the first braided layer 1 and the second braided layer 2, the support component has higher tensile strength in the vertical direction, while also maintaining a certain degree of flexibility in the horizontal direction. This further enhances the multi-directional force distribution effect of the overall folding area, improves folding durability, and is suitable for application in electronic products with frequently folding screens.
[0043] Third Embodiment
[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the carbon fibers in the first braided layer 1 are arranged along a 45° direction, and the carbon fibers in the second braided layer 2 are arranged along... -Arranged at a 45° angle. This is achieved by arranging the first braided layer 1 and the second braided layer 2 at 45° and... - The staggered arrangement of the supports at 45° directions enables them to achieve optimal mechanical properties in the shear direction, effectively improving the in-plane shear modulus and greatly enhancing the adaptability of the folded parts to torsional loads and complex stress environments, thereby improving the fatigue life of the overall flexible structure.
[0045] Fourth embodiment
[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the carbon fibers in the first braided layer 1 are arranged along the 0° direction, and at least two second braided layers 2 are arranged along the +45° direction and... - Arranged at 45°, forming a cross-woven structure. By setting a second woven layer 2 with a ±45° cross arrangement on the basis of the first woven layer 1, a three-dimensional staggered force system is formed. The support component has excellent mechanical properties in the longitudinal, transverse and shear directions. This not only improves the flexibility of local areas, but also effectively inhibits the propagation of micro-cracks during folding, significantly improving the overall service life and reliability after multiple folds.
[0047] In the above embodiments, the first braided layer 1 and / or the second braided layer 2 can both be made of T700 carbon fiber or M40 carbon fiber. T700 has a tensile strength of up to 4.9 GPa (4900 MPa), capable of withstanding significant tensile forces without easily breaking. Its elastic modulus is 240 GPa, exhibiting good rigidity and resisting deformation or bending under stress. Its density is typically between 1.74 and 1.79 g / cm³, only one-quarter that of steel of the same volume, effectively reducing product weight. M40 has a tensile strength as high as 4500 MPa and a modulus of 380 GPa, classifying it as a high-strength, high-modulus carbon fiber material. Both materials possess excellent mechanical properties, ensuring sufficient support during use.
[0048] Fifth embodiment
[0049] This embodiment provides a flexible screen assembly, including a support member as described in any of the above embodiments, and a flexible screen. The support member is used to support the flexible screen. The flexible screen has at least one bendable portion, which corresponds to the foldable region 3 of the support member. By using the foldable region 3 formed on the support member in conjunction with the bendable portion of the flexible screen, stable support and guidance can be achieved for the flexible screen during folding and unfolding, effectively improving the overall folding reliability of the flexible screen structure, reducing local stress concentration caused by repeated folding, and extending the service life of the flexible screen.
[0050] Sixth Embodiment
[0051] This embodiment provides a foldable electronic device, including the aforementioned flexible screen assembly.
[0052] Foldable electronic devices can be foldable mobile phones, tablets, laptops, or other electronic products that require flexible screen structures. By adopting the support structure of any of the above embodiments, foldable electronic devices can maintain excellent mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and reliability while performing multiple folding and unfolding operations.
[0053] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0054] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A support member characterized by, The structure includes a carbon fiber layer and a conductive layer laid on the carbon fiber layer. The carbon fiber layer includes a first braided layer (1) and at least two second braided layers (2) disposed on the first braided layer (1). The carbon fibers in the first braided layer (1) are arranged along a preset first direction, and the carbon fibers in the second braided layers (2) are arranged along a preset second direction. The first direction is different from the second direction. There is a gap between the at least two second braided layers (2) to form a foldable region (3). The first braided layer (1) and the at least two second braided layers (2) are stacked on each other to form a support structure with flexible folding performance.
2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that The first braided layer (1) and / or the second braided layer (2) are made of T700 carbon fiber or M40 carbon fiber material.
3. Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The carbon fiber arrangement direction in the first braided layer (1) and the second braided layer (2) is selected from at least two combinations of 0°, 90° and ±45°.
4. Support according to claim 3, characterized in that The first braided layer (1) and the second braided layer (2) are bonded together by thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin.
5. The support member as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least two second braided layers (2) are arranged side by side, and the gap width between adjacent second braided layers (2) is 10mm-15mm.
6. Support according to claim 5, characterized in that The first braided layer (1) is a continuous structure, and the at least two second braided layers (2) are disposed on the same surface of the first braided layer (1).
7. The support of claim 1, wherein, The gap between the at least two second braided layers (2) is linear or strip-shaped.
8. The support of claim 1, wherein, The conductive layer is made of metal foil or conductive ink.
9. A flexible screen assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a support member as described in any one of claims 1-8 and a flexible screen, wherein the support member is used to support the flexible screen, the flexible screen has a bendable portion, and the bendable portion is disposed corresponding to the foldable area (3) of the support member.
10. A foldable electronic device, characterized by Includes the flexible screen assembly as described in claim 9.