Variable-Thickness Flexible Display Support for Slide Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with flexible displays, the mounting space is limited by the need for driving structures, such as those supporting the display's roll or slide motion, leading to constraints on internal component volume and stability.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a supporting structure with a first area overlapping a battery and a second area with a larger thickness, featuring a rib structure for stability and a recess shape to enhance internal component volume, allowing stable relative movements and slide-in/out functionality of the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supporting structure is added to support the flexible display during sliding motion, then the display stability is improved, but the mounting space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is nested within the housing space, utilizing the vertical dimension by extending upward from the housing interior surface. This allows the supporting structure to provide display support without protruding laterally, effectively nesting it within the existing form factor boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure extends in the vertical dimension (upward from the housing) rather than occupying horizontal mounting space. By transitioning from a horizontal space-consuming approach to a vertical extension approach, the structure provides necessary support while preserving the device's lateral dimensions and internal mounting volume.
2Reliability
If the supporting structure thickness is increased to prevent display lift during bending, then the display stability is improved, but the internal component volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure features variable thickness with a first thickness in the first area and a second thickness in the second area. The thicker portion is strategically positioned to provide enhanced support where needed to prevent display lift, while thinner portions are used in areas where less support is required, optimizing the balance between stability and component volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure utilizes different thickness parameters in different regions. By changing the thickness parameter spatially across the structure, it achieves adequate mechanical support for preventing display lift while minimizing the overall volume consumed, thereby preserving space for internal components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If driving structures are added for slide-in and slide-out motion, then the display flexibility is improved, but the mounting space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is integrated with the housing as a unified component, combining the functions of structural support and sliding motion guidance. This merging eliminates the need for separate driving structures that would consume additional mounting space, as the same supporting structure performs multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure serves multiple functions: it supports the flexible display during static conditions, guides the sliding motion during expansion/contraction, and prevents display lift during bending. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, preserving mounting space.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, the first housing slidable with respect to the second housing, a flexible display including a first display area and a second display area extending from the first display area and bendable or rollable, a battery disposed in the first housing or the second housing, and a supporting structure supporting at least a portion of the flexible display. The supporting structure includes a first area overlapping the battery and a second area extending from the first area. The first area of the supporting structure has a first thickness, and the second area of the supporting structure has a second thickness larger than the first thickness.