Foldable Screen Stack With Gap Support for Narrow-Bezel Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices with flexible screens face issues of wide bezels due to decorative members, lack of cushioning leading to screen breakage, and high costs in improving impact resistance.

Innovation Solution

A flexible screen design incorporating equal thickness ultra-thin glass, a screen protection layer, and a support stacking layer with a gap between them, along with a filling member and ink layer to enhance impact resistance and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a decorative member is added between the middle frame and the flexible screen edge, then the screen structure is stabilized, but the bezel area becomes wider and appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen structure stabilityVSAvoidbezel area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional decorative member from the screen structure. Instead, it uses the edge of the ultra-thin glass panel itself to extend beyond the flexible screen edge, serving both as structural support and aesthetic element, thereby eliminating the need for separate decorative members and reducing bezel area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultra-thin glass panel edge serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the flexible screen, acts as a decorative element, and maintains screen stability. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate decorative members while maintaining appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If the decorative member is abruptly removed to reduce bezel area, then appearance is improved, but impact resistance performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebezel areaVSAvoidimpact resistance performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the ultra-thin glass panel edge beyond the flexible screen edge to create an overlapping region. This extended glass edge acts as a cushioning structure that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the flexible screen, providing beforehand protection against drops and collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where the ultra-thin glass panel and flexible screen work together. The glass panel provides rigid impact resistance while the flexible screen maintains display functionality, creating a composite system that achieves both appearance quality and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If traditional structures are used to improve impact resistance, then screen protection is enhanced, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function with the existing ultra-thin glass panel structure by extending its edge beyond the flexible screen. This integration eliminates the need for separate protective components, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ultra-thin glass panel by extending its edge beyond the flexible screen boundaries. This parameter modification creates an overlapping region that provides impact protection without requiring additional materials or complex structures, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4715791A1Flexible screen and folding electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 REALME MOBILE TELECOMM SHENZHEN CO LTD
  • EP4715791A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715791A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715791A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A flexible screen (10) and a folding electronic device (100). The flexible screen (10) comprises a flexible display panel (11), equal-thickness ultrathin glass (12), a screen protection layer (13), and a support stack layer (14), wherein the equal-thickness ultrathin glass (12) is connected to a light output side of the flexible display panel (11); the screen protection layer (13) is connected to the side of the equal-thickness ultrathin glass (12) facing away from the flexible display panel (11); an overhead area is formed between the screen protection layer (13) and the flexible display panel (11); and the support stack layer (14) is arranged in the overhead area, the support stack layer (14) is connected between the flexible display panel (11) and the screen protection layer (13), the support stack layer (14) protrudes from an edge of the flexible display panel (11), and the support stack layer (14) and the equal-thickness ultrathin glass (12) are spaced apart to form a gap (J).