Foldable Display Hinge Support Plates for Folding Area Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in protecting the vulnerable folding area of their displays from external forces, which can lead to damage and affect the device's durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an electronic device design that includes a hinge apparatus with third and fourth plates disposed under the first and second plates supporting the display panel. These additional plates are integrated with the hinge to support at least some of the folding area of the display panel, thereby enhancing protection against external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display size is increased to provide various functions in a larger screen, then the functionality and usability are improved, but the folding area becomes more vulnerable to external forces and the device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into multiple areas (first area, second area, and folding area) with different support structures. The first and second areas are supported by first and second plates respectively, while the folding area receives additional support from third and fourth plates, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific functional requirements and vulnerability levels
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display panel are provided with different levels of structural support based on their specific needs. The folding area, being more vulnerable to external forces during folding operations, receives enhanced local support through the third and fourth plates, while other areas maintain their original support structure
2Reliability
If additional plates are added to support the folding area, then the protection against external forces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third and fourth plates are integrated with the hinge structure, merging the support function with the existing folding mechanism. This integration allows the additional support plates to be incorporated into the device without requiring completely separate support structures, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The third and fourth plates serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to the folding area, enable the folding operation, and protect against external forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a housing including a first housing and a second housing, a hinge connecting the first housing and the second housing to be rotatable, a display module including a display panel including a first area disposed in the first housing, a second area disposed in the second housing, and a folding area disposed in the hinge part, a first plate supporting the first area of the display panel, and a second plate supporting the second area of the display panel, a third plate disposed under the first plate, and a fourth plate disposed under the second plate. At least a part of at least one of the third plate and the fourth plate may be disposed between the first plate and the second plate to support at least some of the folding area of the display panel.