Foldable Display Support Structure for Impact-Induced Panel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Due to the thinning of electronic devices, internal components are at risk of collision and damage from external impacts, leading to interference and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A structure is implemented to prevent interference between components by using a support member and hinge structure to absorb external forces, protecting the flexible display panel and internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the electronic device is thinned to increase portable convenience, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but the mounting space for components decreases and components are at higher risk of collision from external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is provided in the electronic device to prevent collision between a flexible display panel and other components. The support member acts as a cushioning structure that is positioned in advance to absorb and distribute external impacts, preventing direct contact between the flexible display panel and other internal components during drops or external forces.
2Volume of moving object
If components are mounted in narrow space to achieve thinning, then device thickness is reduced, but components have short separation distance and may collide due to external impact
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as an intermediary structure between the flexible display panel and other internal components. It mediates the spatial relationship and physical interaction between components, providing a protective barrier that prevents harmful collisions while allowing the device to maintain its thin profile with components mounted in narrow space.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge structure that rotatably connects, along a folding axis, a side surface of the first housing to a side surface of the second housing facing the side surface of the first housing; a flexible display panel including a first display region, a second display region, and a third display region; a support member which includes: a flexible region which has a length in a direction parallel to the folding axis, includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other, and corresponds to the third display region; a first rigid region corresponding to the first display region; and second rigid regions corresponding to the second display region, and supports the flexible display panel, wherein both ends of each of the openings at least partially overlapped on a plurality of gears, from among the plurality of openings, are arranged outside the plurality of gears projected onto the support member.