Foldable Display Plate Lattice Structure for Rigidity and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and uniform surface characteristics, especially when folded, due to variations in rigidity and material distribution across folding and non-folding areas, which can lead to damage and visibility of internal components.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a first plate with a lattice structure in the folding area and non-folding areas, and a second plate overlapping non-folding areas, with specific thickness and modulus ranges to achieve a rigidity index between 40 and 400 for the first plate and greater than 20 for the second plate, using materials like stainless steel and copper alloy, to ensure flexibility and protection during folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a uniform plate structure is used across the entire display device, then manufacturing is simple, but the folding area cannot achieve sufficient flexibility and the non-folding areas provide inadequate protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfolding flexibility and protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is divided into multiple regions with different structures: the folding area uses a lattice structure for flexibility, while the non-folding areas use a continuous plane structure for protection and support. This segmentation allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the plate are given different structural qualities - the folding area has a lattice pattern for bendability, while the non-folding areas have a solid continuous structure for rigidity and component protection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between uniform manufacturing and localized functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the plate thickness is increased to improve protection, then structural strength increases, but the device becomes less flexible and harder to fold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural protectionVSAvoidfolding flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is segmented into folding and non-folding regions, allowing the folding area to remain thin and flexible while the non-folding areas can be thicker for protection. The lattice structure in the folding area further reduces material while maintaining sufficient strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folding area uses a thin lattice structure that provides sufficient protection while maintaining flexibility for folding operations. The continuous plane in non-folding areas provides thicker protection where flexibility is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a lattice structure is used in the folding area, then flexibility improves, but the surface uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding flexibilityVSAvoidsurface uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The lattice structure is applied locally only to the folding area where flexibility is needed, while the continuous plane structure is used in non-folding areas to maintain surface uniformity. This localized application resolves the contradiction between flexibility and uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lattice structure is designed with controlled patterns that minimize visual impact on surface uniformity while providing the necessary flexibility in the folding dimension. The inflection areas are positioned to hide the lattice pattern from view when folded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the plate is made thinner to improve flexibility, then folding ease increases, but structural strength and protection capability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding easeVSAvoidstructural protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is segmented into folding and non-folding regions with different thicknesses and structures. The folding area uses a thinner lattice structure for ease of folding, while the non-folding areas use a thicker continuous plane for structural strength and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate combines different structural configurations (lattice and continuous plane) in a composite arrangement, allowing each region to have optimized thickness and structure for its specific functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240172549A1Display device

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel including: a folding axis: and a folding area and non-folding areas on both sides of the folding axis, the display panel being configured to be folded along the folding axis, the folding area including a curvature area, inflection areas on both sides of the curvature area, and an extension area between the curvature area and the inflection areas; and a first plate below the display panel, wherein the first plate includes a lattice structure overlapping the curvature area, and is formed as a continuous plane throughout the extension area, the inflection areas, and the non-folding areas.