Flexible Display Device with Dual Windows for Foldable Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays in foldable electronic devices face durability issues when continuously folded and unfolded, leading to potential damage at the rotating portions, making it difficult to determine information in a folded state.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device features a dual-housing structure with a harder first window and a softer second window, allowing the flexible display to be mounted along these windows, enabling the display to be activated on the outside surface while deactivated on the inside, reducing power consumption and enhancing durability by using a single display driver circuit to control the flexible display areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display is mounted in a foldable electronic device and continuously folded and unfolded, then the display can be used in both folded and unfolded states, but the durability of the flexible display area corresponding to the rotating portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display is divided into multiple independent display areas corresponding to different housing surfaces (first upper surface, first side surface, first lower surface, second upper surface). Each display area can be independently controlled and activated, allowing the display to function in both folded and unfolded states while reducing stress on the hinge area.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically activates or deactivates specific display areas based on the folding state of the electronic device. When folded, only the first upper surface and first side surface display areas are activated; when unfolded, additional areas are activated, optimizing durability and power consumption.
2Device complexity
If a single flexible display is used to provide information in both folded and unfolded states, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases when the entire display is always active
Solution Approach 1:
The display driver circuit dynamically controls the activation state of different display areas based on the device's folding state. In folded state, only the exposed first upper surface and first side surface areas are activated, while the folded areas are deactivated, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining a simple single-display structure.
3Loss of information
If the flexible display area is exposed to the outside in folded state, then information can be displayed, but the display area is more susceptible to external damage
Solution Approach 1:
Different window materials are used for different display areas based on their exposure and functional requirements. The first window material is harder and more protective for the exposed first upper surface area, while the second window material is softer and more flexible for the folded area, optimizing both information accessibility and protection against external damage.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device may comprise: a first housing including a first upper surface, a first lower surface, a first side, and a second side disposed opposite the first side; a second housing including a third side and a second upper surface; a connecting member for connecting the first housing and the second housing to be rotatable; a first window extending from the first upper surface to the first side and formed of a first material; a second window extending from the first lower surface of the first housing to the second upper surface and formed of a second material; and a flexible display mounted in the first housing and the second housing and mounted along the first window and the second window.