Foldable Display Restraining Structure for Bending Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional foldable display devices suffer from damage due to excessive bending of the flexible display screen when folded at large angles, as the existing articulated connections do not adequately restrain the screen.

Innovation Solution

A foldable display device design featuring supporting plates with restraining structures, including inward-bend and outward-bend restraining structures, and flexible straps that connect adjacent sub-plates to control the bending angle and prevent excessive deformation of the flexible display screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display screen is bent at a large angle to achieve folding, then the folding function is realized, but the flexible display screen is damaged by excessive bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding functionVSAvoidflexible display screen durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting plate is divided into multiple supporting sub-plates (first supporting sub-plate, second supporting sub-plate, etc.) that can relatively move with respect to each other. The restraining structure connects these segmented sub-plates to control the bending angle of the flexible display screen, preventing excessive bending while enabling the folding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The restraining structure acts as an intermediary component between the supporting sub-plates and the flexible display screen. It includes a first restraining component connected to the first supporting sub-plate and a second restraining component connected to the second supporting sub-plate, which together constrain the bending angle of the flexible display screen to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the flexible display screen is bent away from the supporting plate at a large angle, then the folding is achieved, but the flexible display screen is damaged by excessive bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoidexcessive bending damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining structure is designed in advance to counteract the harmful effect of excessive bending. The first and second restraining components are pre-configured to limit the bending angle of the flexible display screen before damage can occur, providing preliminary protection against the harmful factor of excessive bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting sub-plates are designed to be able to relatively move with respect to each other, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to the bending process. The restraining structure dynamically controls the bending angle of the flexible display screen during the folding operation, preventing excessive bending while enabling smooth folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display screen is bent toward the supporting plate, then the folding is achieved, but the supporting sub-plates need to be restrained to prevent excessive deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidsupporting sub-plate relative position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting plate is segmented into multiple sub-plates that can relatively move. The restraining structure connects these segments to control their relative positions and prevent excessive deformation during folding, while still allowing the necessary movement for folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The restraining structure changes the geometric parameters of the supporting plate assembly by connecting the first and second supporting sub-plates through the first and second restraining components. This parameter change constrains the bending angle and prevents excessive deformation while maintaining folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11210970B2Foldable display device

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable display device is provided. The foldable display device includes: a supporting plate and a flexible display screen arranged on the supporting plate. The supporting plate includes at least two supporting sub-plates and at least one restraining structure, in which the restraining structure is configured to connect target side surfaces of adjacent supporting sub-plates, and the target side surfaces are lateral surfaces at edges of the flexible display screen. The restraining structure includes at least two sub restraining structures and a first flexible strap configured to connect adjacent inward-bend restraining structures. When the flexible display screen is bent away from the supporting plate, the at least two sub restraining structures are capable of restraining relative positions of the adjacent supporting sub-plates. The damages to the flexible display screen may be reduced by restraining the positions through the at least two sub restraining structures.