Foldable Display Support with Glass Recess for Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable display devices face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and durability due to the need for high rigidity support structures, which can limit their flexibility and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display device design featuring a support structure with a folding portion made of glass, including an opening pattern or recess, and a filling material, along with a support pattern of stainless steel, carbon fiber, or fiberglass, to distribute stress and enhance durability, while maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a support structure with high rigidity is used to prevent deformation of the display module, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments: a first support portion with high rigidity for structural strength, a second support portion with flexibility for deformation, and a connection portion linking them. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the support structure are assigned different material properties: the first support portion uses a material with high rigidity (first rigidity value) for structural integrity, while the second support portion uses a material with flexibility (second rigidity value) for deformation capability. This local differentiation of material properties enables the structure to simultaneously achieve both strength and flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional support structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but durability and resistance to deformation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs composite materials with different rigidity characteristics in different portions. The first support portion uses a rigid material while the second support portion uses a flexible material, creating a composite structure that enhances overall durability and resistance to deformation while maintaining manufacturability through established material combination techniques.
3Strength
If the support structure is made more robust to prevent deformation, then structural strength is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire support structure robust, the patent applies robustness locally only where needed. The first support portion uses rigid material for structural strength, while the second support portion uses flexible material to reduce weight. This localized differentiation of material properties achieves structural strength without unnecessarily increasing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into portions with different functional requirements. The first support portion handles structural strength with rigid material, while the second support portion handles deformation with flexible material. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve necessary strength without the weight penalty of a uniformly robust design.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel including a first non-folding area, a second non-folding area, and a folding area disposed between the first non-folding area and the second non-folding area. A support is disposed under the display panel and includes a first non-folding portion including glass and overlapping the first non-folding area, a second non-folding portion including glass and overlapping the second non-folding area, and a folding portion disposed between the first non-folding portion and the second non-folding portion, overlapping the folding area, and including an opening pattern or a recess.