Foldable Display Edge Groove for Voltage Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible foldable or rollable display panels face challenges in folding due to their curved edge designs, making it difficult to apply data voltages uniformly across the panel when folded, which affects image display.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a groove on the edge part of the display panel that aligns with the folding axis, allowing data lines to detour and extend in a perpendicular direction, ensuring data voltages are applied to the edge part while the flat part remains non-displayed, and using a folding mechanism with rotational axes and support parts to facilitate easy folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the display panel has a curved edge design, then the aesthetic appearance and flexibility are improved, but the uniform application of data voltages across the panel during folding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into a flat part and a curved edge part, with the curved edge part further segmented into first and second curved edge parts. This segmentation allows different regions to have optimized structures for their specific functions, enabling the curved edges to maintain aesthetic appearance while the flat part ensures uniform voltage application during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display panel are given different structural properties. The flat part has a structure optimized for uniform voltage application, while the curved edge parts have structures (including grooves and protrusions) optimized for maintaining shape and enabling folding. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between aesthetic curved design and reliable voltage application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel is made foldable with a rotational axis mechanism, then the versatility and user interaction are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is merged with the display panel structure itself. The rotational axis is integrated into the support part, and the curved edge parts are directly connected to the folding mechanism without requiring separate components. This merging reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining full folding functionality and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the display panel, houses the rotational axis for folding operations, and includes the groove and protrusion features for maintaining panel shape. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing structural complexity while enhancing adaptability.
3Reliability
If data lines detour the groove on the edge part, then image display on the edge part is maintained during folding, but the data line routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data lines are pre-routed to detour the groove in the curved edge part before the folding operation occurs. This preliminary routing ensures that the data lines are already positioned to maintain contact with the pixels on the curved edge during folding, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments and reducing overall routing complexity while ensuring image display continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a display panel and a folding part. The display panel includes an edge part curving in a first direction and a flat part connected the edge part. The folding part is below the flat part and is used to fold the display panel. The edge part includes a groove in a central portion of the edge part in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the groove extends in the first direction.