Foldable Window Guide Structure for Reliable Flexible Displays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in increasing display surface area and ensuring reliable folding mechanisms, particularly in flexible display modules that need to be folded or rolled.

Innovation Solution

The proposed display device incorporates a display panel with a folding axis, featuring a first panel portion, a bending panel portion, and a second panel portion. The panel includes a window with separate first and second window portions, and a bracket system that securely holds the panel and window, allowing for efficient folding and unfolding by moving the second window portion along the first direction within the bracket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single continuous window is used on the display panel, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the folding reliability is poor because the window cannot accommodate bending stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoidwindow structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window is divided into multiple separate window portions (first window portion and second window portion) that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows each window portion to independently accommodate bending stresses during folding operations, preventing crack propagation that would occur in a continuous window structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the window is fixed rigidly to the bracket, then the window position is stable, but the display panel cannot be folded or rolled without causing window damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidwindow position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The window portions are positioned within the bracket structure to allow controlled movement along the first direction during folding and unfolding operations. This dynamic positioning enables the window to adapt to the folding motion while maintaining stable positioning when the display panel is in its unfolded state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the window extends continuously across the bending region, then the display surface area is maximized, but the window cracks or breaks during folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow integrity during foldingVSAvoiddisplay surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The window is segmented into discrete portions that are spaced apart, allowing the display surface area to be optimized while preventing crack propagation. The gaps between window portions act as stress relief zones during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window material is extracted or removed from the bending region between the first and second window portions. This creates a gap that allows the bending panel portion to fold without subjecting the window to damaging tensile stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a simple bracket structure is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the window and display panel cannot be securely held during folding operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring capability during foldingVSAvoidbracket structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple segments (first bracket, second bracket, third bracket) that can independently move and position the window portions during folding operations. This segmented bracket structure provides secure holding capability while allowing the necessary motion for folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket structure acts as an intermediary between the window portions and the folding mechanism. It provides controlled guidance and support during folding operations, enabling reliable folding while maintaining window position stability when unfolded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250031322A1Window guide structure and display device having the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including a display region at which the display panel is foldable or rollable, a window foldable or rollable together with the display panel and including first and second window end portions, and a bracket in which the display panel and the window are received. The bracket includes a first bracket corresponding to display region and the first and second window end portions, second and third brackets which extend from the first bracket and along which the first and second window end portions respectively extends. racket, a receiving groove defined by the first and third brackets and into which the second window portion extends to have a length overlapping the third bracket. Folding and unfolding (or rolling and unrolling) of the display panel includes varying of the length of the second window portion which overlaps the third bracket.