Foldable Flexible Display Curved Edge to Block Foreign Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices with flexible displays face issues of foreign substance ingress due to gaps between display and housings, compromising device integrity and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a curved region at the partial edge of the display, excluding the folding region, to minimize gaps and reduce foreign substance entry, while maintaining a flat state for improved aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a flat display design is used, then the screen area is maximized, but gaps between the display and housing allow foreign substances to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen areaVSAvoidforeign substance ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display edge is designed with a curved region that extends from the flat display surface toward the housing, creating a curved profile that eliminates gaps between the display and housing. This curvature allows the display to maintain full screen area while preventing foreign substance ingress through the gap sealing effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a curved edge design is added to the display, then foreign substance ingress is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance ingressVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved region is integrated directly into the display structure itself, merging the protective function with the display design. This eliminates the need for separate protective components or complex assembly mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the gap-reducing benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the display is positioned closer to the housing edge, then the side bezel thickness is reduced improving aesthetics, but foreign substances can more easily enter through gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside bezel thicknessVSAvoidforeign substance ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved edge profile allows the display to extend closer to the housing edge by creating a three-dimensional curved surface rather than a flat plane. This curvature provides a sealing path that prevents foreign substance ingress while enabling thinner side bezels for improved aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12507361B2Foldable electronic device including flexible display with a curved region

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device may include a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge housing arranged between the first housing and the second housing. A display includes a first area, which extends from the first housing to the second housing across the hinge housing and corresponds to the first housing, a second area corresponding to the second housing, and a folding area corresponding to the hinge housing. A first decorating member is arranged on an edge oriented in a direction opposite to that of an edge adjacent to the folding area from among edges of the first area and a second decorating member is arranged on an edge oriented in a direction opposite to that of an edge adjacent to the folding area from among the edges of the second area.