Flexible Display Support Structure for Fold-Stress Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with foldable or rollable functions are prone to deformation due to internal or external stress, which can cause damage to their components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flexible substrate with light emitting units and arc-shaped supporting elements on its surface to mitigate deformation by distributing stress effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device is made thin to achieve foldable or rollable functions, then the adaptability and functionality are improved, but the device becomes more susceptible to deformation under stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoldable functionVSAvoiddeformation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible substrate as the base structure that enables folding and rolling functions. This flexible shell allows the device to achieve adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through its inherent flexibility and elasticity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting elements are designed with arc-shaped structures that can effectively disperse and redistribute stress applied to the flexible substrate. The curved geometry allows these elements to resist deformation by converting point stresses into distributed forces along the arc, thereby preventing damage to electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If supporting elements are added to prevent deformation, then the stability and component protection are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting elements are designed as thin, arc-shaped structures that can be integrated into the flexible substrate without significantly increasing overall device thickness or complexity. These elements maintain the flexibility of the substrate while providing necessary structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The arc-shaped geometry of the supporting elements allows them to provide maximum structural support with minimal material usage. The curved design efficiently distributes stress throughout the element, enabling reliable component protection while keeping the supporting structure simple and lightweight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11880100B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

An electronic device including a flexible substrate, a plurality of light emitting units, and a plurality of supporting elements is provided. The flexible substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The light emitting units are disposed on the first surface. The supporting elements are disposed on the second surface. The supporting element includes an arc-shaped structure.