Elastic Metal Layer for Wrinkle-Free Foldable Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable mobile terminals face issues with wrinkles on flexible display panels due to non-uniform curvature radii during folding, which affects the display's integrity and usability.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design incorporating an elastic metal layer with shape memory alloy or amorphous metal, such as Nitinol, integrated into the flexible display panel's backside, along with a chain structure and sliding members, to maintain a uniform curvature radius and prevent wrinkles by supporting the curvature forming part through the folding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flexible display panel is folded without uniform curvature support, then the folding mechanism can be simple, but wrinkles form on the display panel
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic metal layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible display panel and the hinge part. This layer passes through the curvature forming part and provides restoring force to maintain uniform curvature radius during folding, preventing wrinkles while keeping the folding mechanism relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metal layer changes its physical state (elastic deformation) in response to folding forces. By utilizing the elastic properties of the metal layer, the system dynamically adjusts to maintain uniform curvature radius throughout the folding process, resolving the contradiction between simple folding mechanism and curvature precision
2Ease of operation
If the flexible display panel is made more flexible to enable folding, then portability increases, but the panel becomes prone to wrinkling and drooping
Solution Approach 1:
The solution combines the flexible display panel with an elastic metal layer to create a composite structure. This composite material system maintains the flexibility needed for folding while the metal layer provides structural support to prevent wrinkling and drooping, thus preserving display panel integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metal layer acts as a counterbalancing element that provides restoring force against the gravitational and mechanical forces causing drooping and wrinkling. This anti-weight effect maintains the display panel's structural integrity while allowing flexible folding operations
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 effectively prevents wrinkles and maintains a uniform curvature, ensuring the flexible display panel does not droop in the unfolded state and simplifies the folding mechanism, enhancing the structural integrity and user experience of foldable mobile terminals.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic metal layer provided to a backside of the flexible display panel and passing through a curvature forming part
Implementation Method 2
The elastic metal layer may include shape memory alloy or amorphous metal
Implementation Method 3
a chain structure formed in a manner that a plurality of components are axially-coupled continuously and may support the curvature forming part
Implementation Method 4
A pair of the sliding members may include first elastic members at end portions thereof so as to be elastically supported by a pair of the bodies
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising: a pair of bodies for supporting a flexible display panel; a hinge part for connecting the pair of bodies so as to be foldable; and an elastic metal layer which is provided on the rear surface of the flexible display panel and passes through a curvature forming part corresponding to an area in which the hinge part is provided on the flexible display panel.