Foldable Display Support Structure with Width-Tuned Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding flexible electronic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining reliability and stability of components during folding, particularly in preventing stress concentration on the display module.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus includes a display module with a foldable region and non-folding regions, supported by a support plate with a barrier layer, foldable adhesive layer, and foldable plate, where the width of the adhesive layer is narrower than the barrier layer, and the plate has holes for flexibility, along with a folding axis design that allows for in-folding and out-folding configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foldable electronic apparatus is designed with a folding display module, then portability and user convenience are improved, but stress concentration on the display module occurs during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into multiple regions: a first plate overlapping the first non-folding region, a second plate overlapping the second non-folding region, and a support member overlapping the foldable region. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, with the support member providing targeted reinforcement where stress concentration occurs during folding, while the non-folding regions maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer is positioned specifically at the foldable region with a width that is narrower than the support plate but wider than the foldable plate, creating a localized stress distribution pattern. This local quality adjustment ensures that the barrier layer effectively redistributes stress during folding without compromising the overall structural support provided by the wider support plate.
2Reliability
If the support plate structure is designed to prevent stress concentration, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is nested within the support plate structure, with the barrier layer, foldable adhesive layer, and foldable plate arranged in a nested configuration. The barrier layer is positioned above the foldable plate, and the foldable adhesive layer is disposed between them. This nesting approach allows multiple functional layers to be integrated into a compact structure that provides stress distribution without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the adhesive layer width is reduced to improve flexibility, then ease of folding is improved, but bonding strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The width of the foldable adhesive layer is optimized to be narrower than the barrier layer but wider than the foldable plate, creating a specific geometric parameter relationship. This parameter change allows the adhesive layer to maintain sufficient bonding strength while accommodating the folding motion, as the narrower width reduces resistance to bending while the wider base area maintains adhesive coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a display module including a foldable region foldable with respect to a folding axis, and a first non-folding region and a second non-folding region which are spaced apart from each other, and a support plate disposed below the display module and including a first plate overlapping the first non-folding region, a second plate overlapping the second non-folding region, and a support member overlapping the foldable region. The support member includes a barrier layer disposed below the display module, a foldable adhesive layer disposed under the barrier layer, and a foldable plate disposed under the foldable adhesive layer. The width of the foldable adhesive layer is smaller than the width of the barrier layer and is greater than the width of the foldable plate.