Foldable Display Cover Structure for Thinness and Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices face challenges in maintaining thinness while protecting the display module from external impacts, such as continuous user touch or external forces, due to the vulnerability of thin cover windows.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a design with a cover member connected by hinges, featuring a transparent material with recesses and buffers, allowing for folding and protection through a combination of hinges and adhesive or magnetic couplings, ensuring the display module is shielded during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cover window thickness is minimized to enable reliable folding, then the device can be folded and unfolded effectively, but the cover window becomes easily damaged by continuous user touch or external impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidcover window durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a recessed structure at the corner of the cover window where external impacts most frequently occur. This recessed portion acts as a cushioning zone that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the main display panel, thereby protecting the thin cover window from damage while maintaining its thinness for folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the cover window is made thin to facilitate folding, then the device achieves reliable foldability, but the protection against external impact is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding easeVSAvoidexternal impact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed structure specifically at the corner region of the cover window, rather than uniformly thickening the entire cover. This localized modification provides enhanced impact resistance at the most vulnerable area (the corner) while keeping the rest of the cover window thin to maintain folding ease and overall device thinness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If protective measures are added to the cover window, then durability against external impact improves, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover window protectionVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cover window into two distinct regions: a thin main body portion that enables folding and a recessed corner portion that provides impact protection. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function optimally - the thin main body maintains foldability while the recessed corner provides localized protection without adding significant overall thickness to the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12622155B2Display device

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel having an upper surface to display an image and a lower surface; a first support and a second support disposed on the lower surface of the display panel; a first hinge connecting a side of the first support and a side of the second support and defining a first axis; a cover disposed on another side of the second support; and a second hinge connecting another side of the second support and a side of the cover and defining a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, wherein the cover comprises a transparent material and a recess disposed on the side connected to the second hinge member.