Foldable Display Support Member Stress Relief Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display devices face defects such as cracks and buckling due to stress generated during folding, which existing technologies fail to adequately address, particularly in the flexible substrate-based designs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display design incorporating a support member with non-overlapping first and second stress relief portions, featuring trapezoidal-shaped engraved patterns on its surfaces, to manage tensile and compression stresses during folding, along with a protective film and buffer member to prevent defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used to enable folding, then the display device becomes deformable and lighter, but stress concentration during folding causes cracks and buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The support member features non-uniform thickness with stress relief portions having different thicknesses in different areas. Thinner regions are positioned where stress concentrates during folding, allowing localized stress dissipation while maintaining structural integrity in other areas. This gradient thickness design enables the support member to adapt to varying stress conditions across different folding states.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member's physical parameter (thickness) is varied spatially to change its mechanical properties. By creating regions of different thickness, the support member's stiffness and stress distribution characteristics are modified to accommodate folding operations, transforming a rigid uniform structure into a compliant non-uniform structure that can handle repetitive folding without defects.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support member has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simplified, but stress cannot be effectively relieved during folding
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniform thickness, the support member implements local quality variations through stress relief portions with specific thickness profiles. These localized thickness variations are strategically positioned to address stress concentration issues at critical folding zones, balancing manufacturing complexity with stress management effectiveness.
3Stress or pressure
If stress relief portions overlap during folding, then stress distribution is improved, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support member employs asymmetric thickness distribution with stress relief portions positioned and dimensioned differently on opposite sides. This asymmetric design prevents overlapping of stress relief portions during folding while maintaining effective stress distribution, avoiding the structural weakness that would result from overlapping regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the two-dimensional stress distribution problem by introducing a third dimension (thickness variation). Instead of adjusting the planar arrangement of stress relief portions, the invention utilizes vertical dimension changes through non-uniform thickness to achieve stress relief without overlapping, effectively moving the solution from a 2D layout problem to a 3D structural design.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel that includes a display area, a non-display area, and a folding area; and a support member that is disposed below the display panel, wherein the support member includes a first stress relief portion and second stress relief portions that do not overlap with each other, the first stress relief portion is disposed on a first surface of the support member, the first surface facing the display panel, and the second stress relief portions are disposed on a second surface of the support member, the second surface opposite the first surface.