Flexible Display Bending Area Support Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of flexible display devices is compromised due to damage and crack formation during folding, bending, or winding operations, which affects their durability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device design incorporating a flexible substrate with a bending area supported by support plates and a support member that maintains the radius of curvature, along with a foaming agent to stabilize the bending area, enhancing durability and preventing mechanical failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible substrate is bent to enable folding or winding operations, then the display device achieves portability and new design forms, but damage and crack formation occur in the bending region reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is pre-installed in the bending area of the flexible substrate to provide protective support before bending operations occur. This support member prevents damage and crack formation by cushioning the bending stress, allowing the display device to be folded or wound without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is specifically positioned only in the bending area where stress concentration occurs during folding or winding operations. This localized support provides enhanced protection precisely where needed, while maintaining the flexibility and portability benefits of the overall flexible substrate structure.
2Reliability
If support structures are added to protect the bending area, then reliability against damage and crack formation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding support structures throughout the entire display device, the support member is strategically placed only in the bending area where it is most needed. This localized approach enhances bending durability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary element between the flexible substrate and the bending stress. It mediates the mechanical stress during folding or winding operations, protecting the vulnerable bending region without requiring complex structural modifications to the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a flexible substrate including a first area having a display area, a second area facing the first area, and a bending area connecting the first and second areas, a cover layer and a polarization layer disposed on the flexible substrate in the first area, a pad part disposed on the flexible substrate in the second area, a first support plate disposed on a lower surface portion of the flexible substrate corresponding to the first area, and a second support plate disposed on a lower surface portion of the flexible substrate corresponding to the second area, and a support member disposed between the first and second support plates. One end of the support member extends to contact a lower surface portion of the flexible substrate corresponding to the bending area and, as such, supports the radius of curvature of the bending area when the display device is in a bent position.