Foldable Display Link Support for Controlled Bending Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable computing devices face challenges in maintaining a desired contour and preventing damage during folding and unfolding due to excessive compression or tension, as existing support systems fail to provide uniform support across the bending area, leading to irregularities and potential damage to the display.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a plurality of links fixed to the foldable layer, where each link is movably coupled to adjacent links, guiding their relative movement through pins and slots, ensuring the foldable layer maintains a consistent contour and prevents bending beyond allowable radii, thereby preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain display contour, then display protection is improved, but flexibility and foldability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple individual links (first link, second link, third link, etc.) that can move independently relative to each other. Each link is fixed to the foldable layer at specific positions, creating a segmented support system that provides protection while allowing controlled movement during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated mechanism. The links are movably coupled through pin-slot connections that allow the support device to adapt its configuration during folding and unfolding, maintaining support functionality while accommodating the flexibility required for foldability.
2Ease of operation
If the foldable layer is allowed to fold freely, then ease of operation is improved, but damage to display components occurs due to excessive compression and tension
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is pre-configured with links and pin-slot mechanisms that actively counteract excessive compression and tension forces before they can damage the display components. The geometric constraints of the pin-slot connections prevent the foldable layer from bending beyond safe radii, applying preliminary protective action against harmful forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the foldable layer and the harmful mechanical forces. The links and pin-slot connections serve as mediators that control and regulate the forces during folding, allowing necessary movement while blocking excessive forces that would cause damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a continuous support structure is used across the bending area, then uniform support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a single continuous support structure, the device employs multiple discrete links (first link, second link, third link, etc.) positioned at different locations on the foldable layer. Each link provides localized support, and collectively they create uniform support across the bending area while keeping individual components simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual link mechanisms are combined to achieve the collective function of continuous support. The pin-slot connections between adjacent links merge their individual support actions into a coordinated system that provides uniform support across the entire bending area.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a support device that is fixed to a foldable portion, or bendable section, of the foldable layer. The support device may include a plurality of links, or segments. Each of the plurality of links may be individually fixed to a surface of the foldable portion of the foldable layer. Each of the plurality of links may be movably coupled to an adjacent link of the plurality of links, such that the plurality of links move relative to each other, while remaining fixed to the foldable layer, in response to a folding movement of the foldable layer and an unfolding movement of the foldable layer.