Flexible Display Support Structure for Smooth Screen Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with flexible displays require a display support structure that allows seamless expansion of the screen while ensuring smooth and gentle movement.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a flexible display with a plate having alternating thick and thin portions, and a lattice structure with openings, supported by first and second housing members that enable sliding and retracting of the display sections, forming a seamless screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a flexible display is made withdrawable to expand the screen, then the screen area is increased, but the movement smoothness and gentleness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into multiple thickness regions (first portion with first thickness, second portion with second thickness greater than the first thickness) that are repeatedly arranged along one surface connected to the rear surface of the flexible display. This segmentation allows different regions to provide different levels of support, enabling smooth and gentle movement while maintaining screen expansion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the plate have different thicknesses to provide localized support characteristics. The thicker second portions provide structural support where needed, while the thinner first portions allow for smoother flexing and movement, creating local quality variations that improve overall movement smoothness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a support structure is added to enable seamless screen expansion, then the screen continuity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, enables seamless screen expansion, and facilitates smooth movement all through one element. The plate is disposed on the rear surface of the flexible display and includes openings, combining support and flexibility functions in a merged structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it supports the flexible display from the rear surface, enables the display to be withdrawable for screen expansion, provides structural integrity through its thickness variations, and maintains screen continuity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
3Ease of operation
If a plate with varying thickness is used to support the flexible display, then the movement gentleness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is segmented into first portions and second portions with different thicknesses that are repeatedly arranged. This segmentation can be achieved through modern manufacturing techniques such as injection molding or additive manufacturing, which can create complex thickness variations in a single manufacturing step, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the varying thickness requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate may include a lattice structure with openings, creating a composite structure that achieves varying effective thickness while maintaining manufacturability. This composite approach allows complex geometry to be produced using standard manufacturing processes for lattice structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices may include a flexible display and a plate. The flexible display may be configured to be at least partially withdrawable from the internal space of the electronic device. The plate may be disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display. In the plate, a first portion of a first thickness and a second portion of a second thickness thicker than the first thickness may be repeatedly arranged based on one surface of the plate connected to the rear surface of the flexible display. The plate may include a plurality of openings formed on the first portion. The first portion and the second portion may be integrally formed, and may include or be formed from the same material.