Foldable Display Support Layers With Uneven Thickness at the Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in integrating flexible displays and support structures that allow for both durability and ease of folding, while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a flexible display with support layers of varying thicknesses and materials, including a conductive layer and reinforcement layer, along with a digitizer and ground member to enhance structural support and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flexible display is integrated with a support structure, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support layers (first support layer and second support layer) positioned at different locations. Each support layer is spaced apart from the flexible display by a specific distance, creating a segmented support system that provides structural integrity while maintaining flexibility and reducing overall complexity compared to a single rigid support structure.
2Strength
If support layers are positioned closer to the flexible display, then structural support is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support layers are positioned in the third dimension (spaced apart from the flexible display by a specific distance) rather than being in direct contact. This spatial separation in the depth dimension allows the support structure to provide structural support while maintaining the flexibility of the display, as the support layers can accommodate bending and folding movements without constraining the display directly.
3Strength
If multiple support layers with different thicknesses are used, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different support layers have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first support layer has a first thickness and the second support layer has a second thickness, allowing each layer to be optimized for its local function while maintaining overall structural integrity. This localized optimization reduces the need for high manufacturing precision across the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses composite construction with multiple layers of different materials and thicknesses. The first support layer and second support layer can be made from different materials with different mechanical properties, creating a composite structure that achieves superior structural integrity while allowing each layer to be manufactured with standard precision tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a first housing; a second housing coupled to be movable with respect to the first housing; a flexible display arranged in a space formed by the first housing and the second housing; a first support body spaced apart from the flexible display; a second support body which is spaced apart from the flexible display and forms a folding axis between the second support body and the first support body; a first support layer arranged between the flexible display and the first support body; and a second support layer arranged between the flexible display and the second support body, wherein the first support layer and the second support layer are spaced apart from each other with the folding axis therebetween, and have different thicknesses from each other or at least a part of the material is different from each other.