Foldable Display Edge Shielding at the Hinge Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices face issues with display protection due to the absence of a rigid structure, leading to exposure risks and potential malfunctions from foreign substances and physical damage at the hinge area.

Innovation Solution

A foldable electronic device design incorporating a protection structure with a blocking member and protective cap that covers the display's periphery at the hinge area, featuring a center portion overlapping with the display and end portions extending between protection covers to prevent exposure and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display is made flexible to enable folding, then the device becomes portable and supports large screen display, but the display loses rigid protection and becomes vulnerable to foreign substances and physical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddisplay protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible protection cover made of thin film material that can bend and fold along with the display. This protection cover is disposed on the front surface of the display to cover its periphery, providing continuous protection during folding operations without compromising the flexibility needed for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protection structure is divided into multiple components: a protection cover that covers the display periphery, a disconnection space at the hinge area, and a protection film. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the protection cover provides general coverage, the disconnection space enables folding movement, and the protection film protects the display surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If protection covers are disconnected at the hinge area to provide folding freedom, then the device can be folded and unfolded, but the display periphery becomes exposed to foreign substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoidforeign substance exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection film extends into the disconnection space at the hinge area, providing protection in a previously unprotected dimensional zone. This extension into the gap region between the protection cover and display periphery eliminates the exposure to foreign substances while maintaining the folding freedom enabled by the disconnection space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection film is pre-disposed to extend into the disconnection space before folding occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the device is folded or unfolded, the protection film is already in place to prevent foreign substances from entering the disconnection space, without interfering with the folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display periphery is exposed at the disconnection space, then folding freedom is achieved, but the display becomes vulnerable to user-induced damage from fingernails or sharp tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay resistance to physical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protection film serves as an additional protective layer that covers the display periphery and extends into the disconnection space. This flexible film provides mechanical protection against fingernails and sharp tools while maintaining the folding flexibility needed for device adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protection film is positioned in advance to cover vulnerable areas of the display periphery, including regions near the disconnection space. This beforehand protection creates a cushioning effect that prevents direct contact between potential damage sources (fingernails, sharp tools) and the display, without compromising folding flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11755067B2Foldable electronic device including display protection structure

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided, which includes a first housing; a second housing; a hinge structure connecting the first housing and the second housing in a foldable manner; a flexible display including a first region corresponding to the first housing, a second region corresponding to the second housing, and a folding region corresponding to the hinge structure; a first protection cover disposed on the first housing to cover a periphery of the first region of the flexible display; a second protection cover disposed on the second housing to cover a periphery of the second region of the flexible display; and at least one protection structure.