Foldable Display Panel Support Layout for Impact-Resistant Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable display apparatuses face challenges with complex structures and vulnerability to impact, requiring robust and impact-resistant designs.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a folding area and non-folding area, featuring first support portions and a folding protection portion with a thickness less than the support portions, made of materials like acryl, urethane, epoxy, or silicon, and a modulus ranging from 100 MPa to 10 GPa, allowing for robust folding without complex structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional foldable display structures are used, then the display can be folded, but the structure becomes complex and vulnerable to impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support portions by creating thickness variations (first support portions with greater thickness than the folding protection portion) and material property variations (different moduli for different portions). This allows the structure to be both simple and impact-resistant, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different portions of the support structure have different thicknesses and material properties. The first support portions have greater thickness and higher modulus for impact resistance, while the folding protection portion has lesser thickness for flexibility during folding, thus achieving both simplicity and reliability in different locations.
2Strength
If thicker support portions are used throughout, then impact resistance improves, but the folding area becomes rigid and difficult to fold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first support portions thicker and stiffer than the folding protection portion, creating local variations in mechanical properties. This allows thick support structures for impact resistance in non-folding areas while maintaining thin, flexible structures in the folding area, resolving the contradiction between strength and folding ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into different portions with different thicknesses and material properties. The first support portions are separated from the folding protection portion, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function - impact resistance or folding flexibility - thus resolving the contradiction between strength and operational ease.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform material structure is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the structure cannot simultaneously provide support and folding flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes material parameters (thickness and modulus) across different portions of the structure while using fundamentally the same support structure design. This allows the single support structure to adapt to different functional requirements - providing rigid support where needed and flexible folding protection where needed - thus achieving both manufacturing simplicity and functional adaptability.
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 solution provides a robust and impact-resistant foldable display apparatus with a simplified structure, enhancing durability and reducing the risk of damage during folding and unfolding.
Implementation Method 1
a folding protection portion disposed between the first support portions and including a different material from the first support portions... the display panel is foldable in the folding area
Implementation Method 2
The modulus of the folding protection portion may be about 100 megapascals (MPa) to 10 gigapascals (GPa)... including at least one of acryl, urethane, epoxy, silicon, and polyimide
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes: a display panel including a folding area and a non-folding area at opposite sides of the folding area, where the folding area includes a curvature area, an inflection area disposed at opposite sides of the curvature area, and an extension area between the curvature area and the inflection area; support portions disposed at a lower portion of the display panel, being spaced apart from each other with the folding area therebetween and overlapping the non-folding area; and a folding protection portion disposed between the support portions and including a different material from the support portions. A thickness of the folding protection portion is less than a thickness of the support portion, and the display panel is foldable in the folding area.