Foldable Display Support Structure for Stress-Balanced Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bendable and foldable display devices face challenges in managing stress applied to panel support members, which can lead to structural damage and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a support member with varying bar and slit configurations in the folding area, along with a base resin, to distribute stress more evenly and minimize impact on the panel support member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniform support member structure is used in the folding area, then manufacturing is simple, but stress concentration occurs leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The support member employs varying bar heights and slit widths at different locations within the folding area. Bars at stress-prone regions have greater heights to provide enhanced support, while slit widths are adjusted to control flexibility locally. This non-uniform structure distributes stress more effectively across the folding area, preventing stress concentration and improving overall durability without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire support member.
2Strength
If the bar height is increased throughout the folding area, then stress resistance improves, but the upper surface flatness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing bar height across the entire folding area, the invention selectively positions taller bars only in regions where stress concentration is expected. The varying bar heights create localized stress resistance while the overall configuration maintains upper surface flatness. This selective approach ensures that strength is enhanced where needed without compromising the flatness of the display device's upper surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If slit width is increased to improve flexibility, then folding capability improves, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements varying slit widths at different locations within the folding area. Wider slits are positioned in regions where greater flexibility is needed for folding operations, while narrower slits are placed in areas requiring structural strength. This localized variation in slit dimensions allows the support member to achieve both folding flexibility and structural strength simultaneously, with each region optimized for its specific functional requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a display panel having a folding area, a first non-folding area on a side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area on another side of the folding area; a support member on a surface of the display panel and having a plurality of slits in the folding area and a plurality of bars between the slits; and a base resin on the support member and inside the support member. A height of a first one of the bars at an edge of the folding area is higher than a height of a second one of the bars in a central area of the folding area, and a width of a first one of the slits at the edge of the folding area is smaller than a width of a second one of the slits in the central area of the folding area.