Foldable Display Variable Stiffness Material Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable display panels suffer from corrugation and wrinkling when folded, leading to damage and reduced lifespan due to stress on the bendable portions during the folding process.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display apparatus with a bendable portion supported by a variable stiffness material in a first chamber that transitions from a solid to a liquid state, allowing it to be transferred to a second chamber, reducing stress and creating an unfilled space for smooth bending, and maintaining support in both configurations through micro pumps and electro-rheological fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the foldable display panel is folded, then the display apparatus can be compacted for portability, but stress concentrates on the bendable portion causing corrugation and wrinkling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the support material from solid to liquid during folding. The support material transitions from a solid state that provides structural support to a liquid state that allows stress distribution and flow, preventing stress concentration and damage to the bendable portion during the folding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the support material between solid and liquid states. When folding is detected, the support material transitions from solid to liquid, allowing it to flow and redistribute stress away from the bendable portion. When unfolding, it transitions back to solid to restore structural support.
2Strength
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain display panel integrity, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and foldability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic support system where the support material's mechanical properties change based on operational requirements. The material transitions between solid (providing structural integrity) and liquid (allowing flexibility) states, enabling the display panel to maintain strength when needed and fold when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the support material from solid to liquid during folding. The support material transitions from a solid state that provides structural support to a liquid state that allows stress distribution and flow, preventing stress concentration and damage to the bendable portion during the folding process.
3Reliability
If the bendable portion is supported during folding, then stress is reduced, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The support material serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when solid, acts as a stress-distributing fluid when liquid, and can be integrated with the display panel structure itself. The micro pump system also serves dual purposes of transferring the material and controlling the folding/unfolding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support material automatically transitions between solid and liquid states in response to folding/unfolding actions, providing self-regulating stress distribution. The system uses the mechanical action of folding itself to trigger the phase transition and material transfer, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents corrugation and wrinkling, enhancing the lifespan of the foldable display panel by distributing stress and maintaining structural integrity in both unfolded and folded states.
Implementation Method 1
the variable stiffness material transitions from the solid state to a liquid state
Implementation Method 2
maintaining support in both configurations through micro pumps and electro-rheological fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable display apparatus includes a display area for image display. The foldable display apparatus includes a foldable display panel including a bendable portion in the display area; a first chamber and a second chamber in the display area and connected with each other, an orthographic projection of the first chamber on the foldable display panel at least partially covers the bondable portion; and a variable stiffness material in at least the first chamber thereby providing support for the bendable portion of the foldable display panel in an unfolded configuration, and being at least partially transferred to the second chamber thereby reducing stress in the bondable portion in the foldable display panel in a folded configuration.