Folding Display Protective Cover for Manufacturing Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices are vulnerable to external impacts during the manufacturing process of electronic devices, leading to potential defects.

Innovation Solution

A display device design that includes a window, a display module with folding and non-folding areas, and a protective cover with cover portions and holding portions to shield the display module from external impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the display module is left exposed during manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is simple and fast, but the display module is vulnerable to external impacts causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external impactsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the display module and external environment. The cover includes a cover portion that directly protects the display module surface and holding portions that extend outward to provide additional protection during manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is designed to be attached to the display module before the display device is fully assembled and put into service. This preliminary protection ensures the display module is safeguarded during vulnerable manufacturing and assembly stages when it is most exposed to potential damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is added to shield the display module, then protection from external impacts is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal impactsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover serves multiple functions: it protects the display module from external impacts, provides structural support during assembly, and can serve as a mounting surface for other components. The holding portions extend to provide both protection and attachment points, combining multiple functions in a single component.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover integrates the cover portion and holding portions into a single unified structure rather than separate components. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining comprehensive protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3955091B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3955091B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3955091B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3955091B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A display device includes a window, a display module on a rear surface of the window, and including a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area, and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module, and including a cover portion configured to cover the folding area and the non-folding area of the display module, and holding portions extending in a first direction, or in a second direction crossing the first direction, from the cover portion, and protruding outside the display module when viewed in a plane.