Foldable Display Support Structure for Full-Panel Backing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display devices face issues with partial areas of the display panel not being supported during unfolding, leading to reduced touch sensitivity and durability, and increased stress during in-folding due to limited space.
Innovation Solution
A foldable display device with movable supports, including a central support that ascends during unfolding and descends during in-folding, along with peripheral supports that move towards or away from the central support to ensure full panel support and accommodate bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed support structure is used during unfolding, then the display panel can be supported, but only partial areas are supported leading to reduced touch sensitivity and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the central support plate can move vertically relative to the hinge body. This allows the support area to expand and contract based on the folding/unfolding state, ensuring full panel support during unfolding while accommodating the bent state during folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent components: a central support plate and peripheral support plates. These segmented supports can move independently to adapt to different states of the display panel, with the central support providing full-area support during unfolding and all supports retracting during folding.
2Volume of moving object
If a narrow space is used for in-folding operation, then the device remains compact, but stress applied to the display panel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are designed to move dynamically during the folding process. The central support plate descends relative to the hinge body, and peripheral support plates move away from the central support, creating adequate space for the bent display panel and reducing stress concentration.
3Reliability
If movable supports are used to support entire display panel area, then touch sensitivity and durability are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into a central support plate and multiple peripheral support plates that can move independently. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function: the central support provides full-area support during unfolding, while peripheral supports accommodate the bent edges during folding, reducing overall complexity through functional specialization.
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a foldable display device includes a display panel having a first area, a second area, and a foldable area therebetween; a first support plate supporting the first area of the display panel; a second support plate supporting the second area of the display panel; a central support disposed under the foldable area of the display panel and configured to move vertically; a first peripheral support slidable while supporting the first support plate; a second peripheral support slidable while supporting the second support plate; and a hinge body disposed under the central support. The central support ascends toward the display panel during an unfolding operation and descends toward the hinge body during an in-folding operation. The first peripheral support and the second peripheral support move toward the central support during the unfolding operation, and move away from the central support during the in-folding operation.