Tensioning Mechanism for Foldable Display Wrinkle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays with foldable regions experience wrinkles and waves when opened into a flat plate shape due to the absence of tension application when adjacent edge portions do not contact each other, degrading visibility and appearance quality.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display is fixed to first and second chassis members with a gap between them, and a pressing member, such as a screw or cam, applies tension to the folding region by pressing the first plate toward the separation direction from the second plate, using receiving portions on the chassis and plate to secure the tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gap is provided between the first plate and the second plate to accommodate a hinge device, then the adaptability of the electronic apparatus is improved, but the folding region of the display cannot be tensioned, causing wrinkles and waves to occur
Solution Approach 1:
A tensioning member is introduced as an intermediary element between the first plate and the second plate. This tensioning member spans across the gap where the hinge device is located, applying tension to the folding region of the display without requiring the plates to directly contact each other. The tensioning member acts as a mediator that transmits tensile force across the gap, maintaining display flatness while accommodating the hinge device in the间隙.
Solution Approach 2:
The state of the folding region is changed from an untensioned state (when plates are separated) to a tensioned state (when tensioning member is applied). By changing the mechanical parameter of tension in the folding region, the display surface maintains flatness even when the plates are separated to accommodate the hinge device. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between plate separation and display flatness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the adjacent edge portions of the two plates are made to contact each other to apply tension to the folding region, then the appearance quality is improved, but the configuration becomes limited and cannot accommodate other parts such as hinge devices
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning member serves as an intermediary that replaces the need for direct plate contact. Instead of requiring the first and second plates to touch each other to transmit tension, the tensioning member bridges the gap between them, transmitting the tensile force through the gap where the hinge device is positioned. This allows tension application without limiting the configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension transmission function is segmented from the plate-plate contact interface. Rather than relying on the continuous contact between adjacent plate edges, the tension transmission is achieved through a separate, dedicated tensioning member that spans the gap. This segmentation allows the gap to be occupied by the hinge device while tension is independently applied through the tensioning member.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the folding region is left free without fixation to accommodate the gap, then the adaptability is improved, but wrinkles and waves occur degrading visibility and appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning member acts as an intermediary force application mechanism that operates across the gap without requiring fixation of the folding region to either plate. By applying tension through this intermediary member, the folding region remains free to move with the hinge device while simultaneously maintaining sufficient tension to prevent wrinkles and waves.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameter of tension in the folding region is changed from zero (when free) to a controlled tensile state (when tensioning member is applied). This parameter change prevents the formation of wrinkles and waves while allowing the folding region to remain unfixed and adaptable to the hinge device movement.
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 tension applied to the folding region suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and waves, maintaining visibility and appearance quality even with a gap between the plates.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing member that applies tension to the folding region of the display by pressing the first plate to the first chassis member toward a separation direction separated from the second plate
Implementation Method 2
applying tension to the folding region of the display
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an electronic apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of wrinkles in a display having a foldable region. The electronic apparatus includes a first chassis member, a second chassis member that is relatively rotatably connected to the first chassis member, a first plate that is supported by the first chassis member, a second plate that is supported by the second chassis member and aligned with a gap between the first plate and the second plate, a display that is formed in a flexible sheet shape, a first fastening portion that fixes the first plate to the first chassis member, a second fastening portion that fixes the second plate to the second chassis member, and a pressing member that applies tension to the folding region of the display by pressing the first plate to the first chassis member toward a separation direction separated from the second plate.