Flexible Display Support Assembly for Narrow-Bezel Foldables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in securing mechanical stability and minimizing bezel area while maintaining portability and usability, as traditional articulated bar structures limit display expansion and increase bezel size.
Innovation Solution
An articulated multi-bar assembly with rotating and sliding brackets, eliminating the need for separate pins, allows for a reduced bezel area and stable support of flexible displays, enabling expansion of the display area without changing the neutral plane length, and incorporating an elastic sheet to accommodate length changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional articulated bar structure with pins is used to support the display, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the bezel area increases and the display area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate pin components from the articulated bar structure, extracting the rotation function directly into the bracket design. This eliminates the need for additional pin elements that would increase bezel area, while maintaining the mechanical stability through the integrated rotation capability of the brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rotation axis and support function into the bracket structure itself, combining multiple functions (support, rotation, and connection) into a single integrated component. This reduces the overall structure size and bezel area while preserving mechanical stability through the multi-functional bracket design.
2Ease of operation
If the display area is expanded, then the usability is improved, but the mechanical stability deteriorates due to the flexible and movable structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic articulated multi-bar assembly with brackets that can rotate and slide relative to each other, allowing the structure to adapt to different display configurations (folded, unfolded, angled) while maintaining mechanical stability. This dynamic capability enables expanded display area while preserving structural integrity through controlled movement mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate pins are used for rotation in the articulated bar structure, then the rotation function is achieved, but the assembly complexity and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotation axis and support bracket into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate pin elements. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity by removing additional components and assembly steps, while maintaining the full rotation capability through the integrated bracket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, enabling rotation movement, and serving as a connection element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components like pins, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining rotational versatility.
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 stabilizes the flexible display, reduces assembly complexity, and enhances durability by maintaining the neutral plane length during bending, thus improving the surface quality and usability of foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an elastic sheet to accommodate length changes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: a first housing; a second housing; a hinge module rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing; a flexible display disposed to reach one surface of the second housing from one surface of the first housing across an area in which the hinge module is disposed; and a multi-bar assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing, configured to be variable in response to rotational movement of the module, and supporting a bending area of the flexible display. The multi-bar assembly may include: a first bar and a second bar arranged side by side, each of the first bar and second bar forming at least one guide recess disposed at positions corresponding to each other; a first bar support bracket disposed under the first bar and including a first rail forming a curved shape and a first rail guide corresponding to the shape of the first rail; and a second bar support bracket disposed under the second bar and including a second rail forming a curved shape and a second rail guide corresponding to the shape of the second rail, the second bar support bracket being coupled to be rotatable and slidable with respect to the first bar support bracket. The first rail forming on the first bar support bracket may be configured to perform sliding movement along the second rail guide of the second support bracket located adjacent thereto, and at least a portion of the first rail may be insertable into the guide recess in the second bar through the sliding movement.