Flexible Circuit Board Segmentation in Foldable Display Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible printed circuit boards in foldable display devices are prone to damage and interference with nearby elements due to repeated folding and unfolding, leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A display device design that includes a fixing member under the folding region with a first flexible printed circuit board having a convex cross-sectional shape, coupled with a coupling member to prevent breakage and interference, and a second flexible printed circuit board for connecting external terminals, ensuring stable connectivity and reduced stress during folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible printed circuit board is used in the folding region to enable foldable display, then the display device can be folded and unfolded, but the flexible printed circuit board is prone to damage and interference with nearby elements due to repeated folding
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is divided into multiple portions: a first portion disposed in the folding region that can bend with the display module, and a second portion disposed in a non-folding region that remains stable. This segmentation allows the board to accommodate folding movements while protecting critical components from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A fixing member is introduced as an intermediary component to secure the flexible printed circuit board in the non-folding region. This fixing member prevents the board from interfering with nearby elements such as the battery and hinge assembly during repeated folding and unfolding operations.
2Reliability
If the flexible printed circuit board is disposed in the folding region, then connectivity is maintained during folding, but interference with nearby elements occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is segmented into a first portion in the folding region for maintaining connectivity during bending, and a second portion in the non-folding region that is fixed to prevent interference with nearby elements like the battery and hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The stable, non-bending portion of the flexible printed circuit board is extracted from the folding region and placed in a non-folding region where it can be securely fixed, separating the functions of flexibility and stability to eliminate interference issues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flexible printed circuit board is rigidly fixed to maintain stability, then interference with nearby elements is reduced, but the board cannot accommodate folding movements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is divided into a first portion that remains flexible for folding accommodation and a second portion that is rigidly fixed for stability. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the flexible printed circuit board have different mechanical properties: the first portion in the folding region maintains flexibility to accommodate bending, while the second portion in the non-folding region is rigidly fixed to prevent interference, applying local quality variations to solve the contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device including a display module having defined thereon a folding region, a first non-folding region disposed on one side of the folding region, and a second non-folding region disposed on an opposite side of the folding region; a fixing member disposed under the folding region of the display module; and a first flexible printed circuit board disposed between the folding region of the display module and the fixing member. The first flexible printed circuit board includes a (1-1) portion overlapping with the fixing member, and the (1-1) portion of the first flexible printed circuit board is attached to the fixing member.