Flexible Display Cover Sheet Support for Folding Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with large-screen displays face challenges in balancing portability and usability, particularly in accommodating flexible or deformable displays that can be folded or unfolded without compromising structural integrity and display functionality.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a flexible display with three distinct areas - first, second, and third display areas, where the third area is disposed between the first and second areas and deforms based on housing rotation, supported by a cover sheet and a support plate, and is connected by a hinge structure with enhanced rotation angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display is made deformable to enable folding, then portability is improved, but the display edge may be exposed and damaged during folding operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddisplay edge damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover sheet is disposed along at least a portion of an edge of the third display area intersecting the folding axis, and a support plate is located below the cover sheet to support the cover sheet. This protective layering prevents direct exposure and damage to the display edge during folding operations while maintaining the flexibility needed for deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate is positioned in advance below the cover sheet to provide structural support and cushioning to the vulnerable display edge before folding occurs. This pre-positioned support structure prevents damage during subsequent folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the third display area is made to deform during folding, then flexibility and portability are improved, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation flexibilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cover sheet and support plate create a flexible protective structure that allows the third display area to deform during folding while maintaining structural integrity. The layered configuration enables controlled deformation without compromising the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a support structure is added to protect the display edge, then durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover sheet and support plate form a relatively simple layered structure that provides effective display edge protection. This configuration achieves durability improvement without excessive complexity increase, as the layers are disposed in a straightforward manner along the display edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4436147B1Electronic device comprising flexible display

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An exemplary electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing rotatable to the first housing with respect to a folding axis, a flexible display including a first display area disposed on the first housing, a second display area disposed on the second housing, and a third display area that is deformed based on the second housing rotated with respect to the first housing, a cover sheet disposed along at least a portion of an edge of the third display area intersecting the folding axis, and a support plate located below the cover sheet to support the cover sheet, and extending from at least a portion of the edge along the folding axis. In addition, various embodiments is possible.