Folding Display Buffer Structure for Stress Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Folding display devices experience deformation and damage at the folding area, leading to unexpected issues that existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a display module with non-folding areas, a support, sub-support, buffer portion, and joint units, where the buffer portion includes an opening overlapping the folding area, and the sub-support has a lower modulus than the support, helping to absorb stress and prevent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a folding display device is designed to be flexible and foldable, then portability and user convenience are improved, but deformation and damage occur at the folding area

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoidfolding area durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple components: a rigid support, a buffer portion with opening, and a sub-support with joint units. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the rigid support provides overall stability, the buffer portion absorbs stress at the folding area, and the sub-support with joint units prevents deformation. The segmented design resolves the contradiction by distributing mechanical stresses across different structural elements rather than relying on a single monolithic support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer portion with opening is positioned in advance at the folding area to cushion and absorb stresses that will occur during folding operations. The opening in the buffer portion allows it to deform elastically, absorbing peak stresses before they reach the display module. This beforehand cushioning prevents deformation and damage at the folding area while maintaining the foldability of the display device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support structure is made rigid to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but stress concentration occurs at the folding area causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs different local qualities at different positions: the main support is rigid to provide overall structural stability, while the buffer portion at the folding area is designed with an opening to be more compliant and absorb local stresses. The sub-support with joint units also provides localized flexibility at the folding area. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining rigidity where structural stability is needed while providing flexibility where stress concentration occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure functions as a composite system combining rigid and flexible elements. The rigid support provides structural stability, while the buffer portion and sub-support with joint units provide stress-absorbing flexibility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials and structures with different mechanical properties to simultaneously achieve structural stability and stress distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the buffer portion is made thicker to absorb more stress, then folding area protection is improved, but device thickness and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding area protectionVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer portion is designed as a thin-walled structure with an opening rather than a thick solid component. This thin-walled design with opening allows the buffer to absorb stresses through elastic deformation of its walls, providing effective folding area protection without increasing overall device thickness or structural complexity. The opening enhances the buffer's ability to deform and absorb energy while maintaining a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design effectively prevents deformation of the folding area by distributing stress through the buffer portion and sub-support, enhancing the durability and usability of the display device.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer portion which is disposed between the support and the sub-support and in which an opening overlapping the folding area is defined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the sub-support may have a second modulus lower than the first modulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Data Source

PatentUS10915140B2Display device

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display module including a first non-folding area, a second non-folding area, and a folding area disposed between the first and second non-folding areas, a support disposed below the display module, a sub-support disposed below the support, a buffer portion which is disposed between the support and the sub-support and in which an opening overlapping the folding area is defined, and a plurality of joint units disposed below the sub-support to overlap the folding area.