Foldable Display Plate Assembly for Hinge-Area Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a foldable electronic device is switched from an unfolded state to a folded state, the bendable display area corresponding to the folding part requires structural support to maintain its unfolded state and resist external loads.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a foldable housing with a flexible display and support structures, including a first and second support structure, hinge assemblies, and a plate assembly composed of multiple metal plates to stabilize the bendable display area in the unfolded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single integral metal plate is used to support the bendable display area, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the manufacturing complexity and defect rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into multiple separate metal plates (first metal plate, second metal plate, third metal plate, fourth metal plate) instead of using a single integral plate. Each plate is positioned at different locations to support the bendable display area, which reduces manufacturing complexity and defect rates while maintaining sufficient structural strength through distributed support.
2Productivity
If multiple separate metal plates are used to support the bendable display area, then the manufacturing yield improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate metal plates into a unified support system that works together to stabilize the bendable display area. The first, second, third, and fourth metal plates are strategically positioned and connected to form an integrated support structure that achieves both improved manufacturing yield and coordinated structural function.
3Reliability
If support structures are added to maintain the unfolded state, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies support structures locally at specific positions where the bendable display area requires stabilization. The metal plates are positioned at strategic locations (first, second, third, and fourth plates at different positions) to provide targeted support exactly where needed, rather than adding comprehensive support throughout the entire device, thus improving reliability with minimal increase in overall complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present document comprises a foldable housing, a flexible display, a first support structure, a second support structure, a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly, and a first plate assembly. The foldable housing may include a first housing, a second housing, and a folding portion between the first housing and the second housing, and the flexible display may be located in the inner space of the foldable housing and visible through the front of the foldable housing. The first support structure may be located in the inner space of the first housing and support a first portion of the flexible display, and the second support structure may be located in the inner space of the second housing and support a second portion of the flexible display. The first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly may be located in the inner space of the foldable housing so as to correspond to the folding portion, connect the first support structure to the second support structure, and be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the folding axis of the foldable portion. The first plate assembly may be located in the inner space of the foldable housing so as to correspond to the folding portion, be coupled to the first support structure, support a third portion of the flexible display corresponding to the folding portion, and include a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, and a fourth plate.