Foldable Display Support Member Groove Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable display devices are prone to having lifting or protruding portions when folded, which affects their structural integrity and display quality.
Innovation Solution
A support member with a first foldable area featuring indented grooves that compress under outward folding stress, preventing lifting or protruding issues, and a second foldable area with elongated grooves that accommodate tensile stress during inward folding, ensuring the device adapts to stress environments effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support member is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but lifting/protruding portions occur when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple first grooves and second grooves that segment the structure into flexible units. These grooves allow the support member to be divided into collapsible sections that can compress during outward folding and expand during inward folding, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and preventing lifting/protruding portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The first grooves and second grooves enable the support member to dynamically adjust its shape - compressing when folded outward and expanding when folded inward - allowing it to adapt to different folding states without causing lifting or protruding portions.
2Reliability
If the support member is made flexible to prevent lifting/protruding portions, then folding performance is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the support member have different structural characteristics. The first foldable area contains first grooves optimized for outward folding (compression), while the second foldable area contains second grooves optimized for inward folding (tension). This local differentiation allows each region to provide appropriate flexibility for its specific folding direction while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grooves are added to the support member to improve folding adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member utilizes a thin-walled structure with integrated grooves that provide flexibility without requiring additional components. The grooves are formed directly in the support member body, allowing it to function as a flexible shell that adapts to folding motions while maintaining structural coherence, thus improving folding adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 support member effectively prevents lifting or protruding issues during outward folding and maintains structural integrity by compressing under stress, while the second foldable area handles tensile stress, enhancing the display device's durability and reducing issues like black spots or bright lines.
Implementation Method 1
When a portion of the foldable display device corresponding to the first foldable area is folded outward, the indented ends of each first groove in the first foldable area are compressed under compressive stress
Implementation Method 2
the second foldable area is arranged corresponding to an inner foldable area of the foldable display device, wherein when the support member is in a flat unfolded state, the support member further includes: a plurality of second grooves defined in the second foldable area
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a support member and a foldable display device. The support member includes a first foldable area. When the support member is in a flat unfolded state, the support member includes first grooves in the first foldable area. Two opposite ends of the first groove are indented inwardly in a first direction. The first direction intersects a length direction of the support member.