Foldable Display Protector Attachment With Adjustable Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment methods for protective covers on foldable electronic devices are inadequate, leading to misalignment, dust ingress, and difficulty in attaching protectors to recessed areas, and existing solutions for non-folding devices do not address the unique challenges of foldable displays.
Innovation Solution
A display protector attachment apparatus for foldable devices, featuring a frame unit with inclination-forming fixing units and a cover member, ensures accurate alignment and attachment of protectors to foldable displays, including a protector film assembly with differential mounting heights and a squeeze member for secure fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a non-folding display attachment apparatus is used for foldable devices, then the attachment structure is simple, but the protector cannot be properly attached to recessed areas and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment apparatus incorporates an inclination-forming fixing unit that can be adjusted to different angles, allowing the protector to be attached to both flat and recessed areas of the foldable display. The adjustable inclination angle adapts to the varying surface geometry, enabling precise alignment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing unit features differential mounting heights at different locations, with the first end having a different mounting height than the second end. This local variation in mounting height allows the protector to conform to the recessed areas of the foldable display while maintaining proper alignment across the entire surface.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed mounting height is used for the protector film assembly, then the attachment process is simple, but the protector cannot fit properly in recessed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination-forming fixing unit provides adjustable inclination angles, transforming the static mounting structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different display geometries. This allows the protector to fit properly in recessed areas while keeping the attachment process relatively simple through mechanical adjustment rather than complex procedures.
3Device complexity
If manual alignment methods are used without positioning pins, then the device structure is simple, but misalignment and dust ingress occur
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning pins with different horizontal cross-sections work with corresponding slots in the protector to achieve self-alignment. The asymmetric cross-sections prevent incorrect insertion and ensure proper orientation, allowing the system to self-correct alignment errors without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning pins feature different horizontal cross-sections at their first and second ends, creating an asymmetric configuration that corresponds to the asymmetric slot arrangement in the protector. This asymmetry ensures precise positioning and prevents misalignment, while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.
4Productivity
If protective film is stretched without tension control, then the attachment is quick, but wrinkles and misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The protector film assembly is pre-mounted on the inclination-forming fixing unit at the correct angle and position before being transferred to the display. This preliminary positioning ensures that the film is already aligned correctly, reducing the need for adjustments during the attachment process and maintaining both speed and precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display protector attachment apparatus (100; 100') for a foldable electronic device (300) according to the present disclosure includes: a frame unit (110; 110') including a frame-first end member (112c; 112c') at one end and a frame-second end member (112b; 112b') at the other end and configured to support and accommodate the foldable electronic device (300) between the frame-first end member (112c; 112c') and the frame-second end member (112b; 112b'); and an inclination-forming fixing unit (120; 120') connected to the frame-second end member (112b; 112b') and configured to align a protector film assembly (200) to be arranged inclinedly with respect to the foldable display unit of the foldable electronic device (300) by varying mounting heights for both ends of the protector film assembly (200) including a display protector that is to be attached to the foldable electronic device (300).