Foldable Display Hinge Mechanism for Stress Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices face challenges in minimizing the curvature of the bending portion of flexible display panels during folding, which can lead to stress-induced damage.

Innovation Solution

A foldable display device with a folding unit that includes a hinge unit with rotatable shafts, links, and folding guides, which supports the flexible display panel by bending it in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, minimizing curvature and reducing stress on the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display panel is bent to be folded, then the device achieves foldability and portability, but the curvature of the bending portion increases causing stress-induced damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoidpanel integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bending portion is divided into multiple discrete bending regions, each containing a specific number of bending lines (e.g., 3-5 bending lines per region). This segmentation distributes the curvature across multiple smaller zones rather than concentrating it in a single area, reducing the maximum curvature at any one point and thereby minimizing stress on the flexible display panel while maintaining foldability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the flexible display panel is bent with high curvature, then the folding radius is reduced improving compactness, but the stress on the panel increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolded sizeVSAvoidstress on panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bending portion is divided into multiple discrete bending regions, each containing a specific number of bending lines (e.g., 3-5 bending lines per region). This segmentation distributes the curvature across multiple smaller zones rather than concentrating it in a single area, reducing the maximum curvature at any one point and thereby minimizing stress on the flexible display panel while maintaining foldability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the flexible display panel is bent with low curvature, then the stress on the panel is reduced improving durability, but the folded size increases reducing portability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel durabilityVSAvoidfolded size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bending portion is divided into multiple discrete bending regions, each containing a specific number of bending lines (e.g., 3-5 bending lines per region). This segmentation distributes the curvature across multiple smaller zones rather than concentrating it in a single area, reducing the maximum curvature at any one point and thereby minimizing stress on the flexible display panel while maintaining foldability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces multiple bending lines arranged in a specific pattern across the bending portion, transforming a simple linear bend into a multi-dimensional curved structure. This dimensional change allows the panel to achieve a compact folded size while distributing stress across multiple bending lines, effectively reducing the harmful effects of curvature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10705565B2Foldable display device

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable display device including: a flexible display panel including a bending portion; and a folding unit supporting the flexible display panel and in-folding and out-folding a front surface of the flexible display panel. The folding unit includes a hinge unit bending and supporting the bending portion of the flexible display panel simultaneously in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction.