Flexible Display Support Plate for Smooth Seamless Screen Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with flexible displays require a display support structure that enables seamless screen expansion while ensuring smooth and gentle movement.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display and a display support structure that allows for seamless screen expansion with smooth and gentle movement, improving manufacturing processes and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a flexible display is withdrawn from an internal space to expand the screen, then the screen size is increased, but the movement smoothness and seamless connection are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidseamless screen connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A display support structure acts as an intermediary component between the flexible display and the housing. This structure includes a display support plate with a curved surface that contacts and supports the flexible display during withdrawal, ensuring smooth movement and seamless connection without direct contact between the display and housing walls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of moving object

If a flexible display is withdrawn from an internal space to expand the screen, then the screen size is increased, but the movement smoothness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidmovement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display support plate features a curved surface that matches the curvature of the flexible display. This curved contact surface enables smooth and gentle movement of the flexible display during withdrawal, reducing friction and preventing sticking or snagging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If a complex display support structure is used to enable seamless screen expansion, then the screen expansion reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen expansion reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The display support plate is designed as a thin-walled structure with a curved surface, which can be manufactured using cost-effective processes such as injection molding or stamping. This thin-film approach provides the necessary support and curvature while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and low cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4435557B1Electronic device comprising flexible display and display support structure, and manufacturing method for display support structure

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may comprise a flexible display and a plate. The flexible display may be configured to be at least partially extended out of the inner space of the electronic device. The plate may be arranged on the rear surface of the flexible display. In the plate, a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness may be repeatedly arranged with respect to one surface of the plate coupled to the rear surface of the flexible display. The plate may comprise a plurality of openings formed in the first portion. The first portion and the second portion may be integrally formed and may comprise the same material.