Foldable Display Angle Control for Stress-Safe Unfolding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices are prone to damage or cracking due to inappropriate folding velocities, which can lead to reduced lifespan and increased manual damage, as stress accumulation varies with different folding angles.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to control the folding angle of foldable display devices by sensing the current angle and adjusting the angular velocity using predetermined values, changing the velocity based on whether the angle is below or above a set threshold to minimize stress and prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the folding angle is changed at a high angular velocity, then the operation speed is improved, but the stress on the foldable display device increases causing damage or cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular velocityVSAvoidstress
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the angular velocity variable rather than constant. The control method adjusts the angular velocity dynamically based on the current folding angle, using a first angular velocity when the folding angle is below a threshold and a second angular velocity when above the threshold. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing speed while preventing excessive stress at critical folding angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of angular velocity based on the folding angle parameter. By establishing a relationship between folding angle and angular velocity, the system transitions from a fixed-speed operation to a variable-speed operation. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high operation speed generally while reducing speed at critical angles to minimize stress and prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the folding angle is changed at a low angular velocity, then the stress is reduced preventing damage, but the operation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestressVSAvoidangular velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic control of angular velocity to resolve this contradiction. Instead of maintaining a uniformly low angular velocity, the system dynamically adjusts speed based on the folding angle. Low angular velocity is applied only when necessary (at critical folding angles near the threshold) to reduce stress, while higher velocities are used at safe angles to maintain operation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the angular velocity parameter conditionally based on the folding angle parameter. By establishing threshold-based parameter changes, the patent enables the system to operate at high speeds during safe folding ranges while switching to low speeds only when approaching critical angles, thus resolving the trade-off between speed and stress reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single angular velocity is used for all folding angles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to potential damage at critical angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoiddevice lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the folding angle range into multiple segments based on threshold values. Instead of using a single control mode for all angles, the system segments the folding process into different angular ranges, each with its own angular velocity parameter. This segmentation improves reliability by applying appropriate speeds to different folding stages while maintaining relatively simple control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes to improve reliability without significantly increasing complexity. By changing the angular velocity parameter based on folding angle thresholds, the system adapts its operation to prevent damage at critical angles. This parameter-based control approach maintains simplicity while enhancing reliability through conditional parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10901465B2Foldable electronic device, foldable display device, and methods of controlling foldable electronic device and foldable display device
Publication Date: 2021.01.26 INNOLUX CORP
  • US10901465B2 patent drawing
  • US10901465B2 patent drawing
  • US10901465B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device or a foldable display device includes a flexible substrate and a display layer disposed on the flexible substrate. The display layer includes a first display portion, a second display portion, and a foldable display portion connecting the first display portion and the second display portion. A method of unfolding the foldable display device includes providing a first predetermined angle; sensing a folding angle between the first display portion and the second display portion; comparing the folding angle with the first predetermined angle; changing the folding angle with a first angular velocity when the folding angle is less than the first predetermined angle; and changing the folding angle with a second angular velocity greater than the first angular velocity when the folding angle is equal to or greater than the first predetermined angle.