Composite Support Plate for Foldable Display Panels

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible electronic devices require lightweight support members that do not compromise mechanical properties to enhance user convenience, especially in folding or bending operations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a support plate comprising multiple fiber layers, including glass fibers arranged alternately in a woven shape, embedded within a polymer resin matrix, providing a flexural modulus of 10 GPa to 35 GPa and a thickness of 100 μm to 300 μm, with specific thickness variations to optimize mechanical properties and display quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a support member is made thinner to reduce weight and improve flexibility, then the device becomes more portable and easier to fold, but the mechanical strength and structural integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of support memberVSAvoidmechanical strength of support member

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is constructed as a composite material comprising a base material (such as polymer or metal) and a foam material with closed cells formed therein. The foam material provides structural reinforcement while maintaining low density, achieving both weight reduction and strength enhancement simultaneously. The closed-cell structure of the foam contributes to both lightweight properties and mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support member incorporates a foam material with closed cells, creating a porous structure that reduces weight while maintaining structural strength. The cellular architecture provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the support member to be thinner and lighter without compromising mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If a support member is made thicker to improve mechanical strength, then the structural integrity improves, but the device becomes heavier and less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strength of support memberVSAvoidweight of support member

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is constructed as a composite material comprising a base material (such as polymer or metal) and a foam material with closed cells formed therein. The foam material provides structural reinforcement while maintaining low density, achieving both weight reduction and strength enhancement simultaneously. The closed-cell structure of the foam contributes to both lightweight properties and mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support member incorporates a foam material with closed cells, creating a porous structure that reduces weight while maintaining structural strength. The cellular architecture provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the support member to be thinner and lighter without compromising mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If a support member is made thicker to improve structural integrity during folding, then the mechanical properties improve, but the flexibility and ease of folding deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity during foldingVSAvoidease of folding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is constructed as a composite material comprising a base material (such as polymer or metal) and a foam material with closed cells formed therein. The foam material provides structural reinforcement while maintaining low density, achieving both weight reduction and strength enhancement simultaneously. The closed-cell structure of the foam contributes to both lightweight properties and mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support member incorporates a foam material with closed cells, creating a porous structure that reduces weight while maintaining structural strength. The cellular architecture provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the support member to be thinner and lighter without compromising mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved mechanical properties and display quality while maintaining lightweight and flexible characteristics, allowing for efficient folding and bending operations without compromising structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a support plate including a plurality of fiber layers including a plurality of reinforced fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiber reinforcement:

Implementation Method 2

each fiber layer of the plurality of fiber layers has a thickness of equal to or greater than about 30 μm and less than about 50 μm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMatrix embedding:

Data Source

PatentUS20240015906A1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a display panel including a folding region to fold with respect to a folding axis, and a non-folding region including a first non-folding region and a second non-folding region spaced apart with the folding region therebetween, and a support plate including a plurality of fiber layers including a plurality of reinforced fibers, the support plate being under the display panel, wherein the support plate has a thickness of about 100 μm to about 300 μm, when the thickness of the support plate is about 100 μm to about 200 μm, each fiber layer has a thickness of equal to or greater than about 30 μm and less than about 50 μm, and when the thickness is greater than about 200 μm and equal to or smaller than about 300 μm, each fiber layer has a thickness of about 40 μm to about 100 μm.