Hinge Support Portions With Increasing Thickness For Foldable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices, such as folding displays, experience deformation and visual modification of the folding area when repeatedly folded and unfolded, leading to a compromised user experience due to the stretching and modification of the folding area.
Innovation Solution
A display device design featuring support portions with increasing thickness and inclined upper surfaces, along with a hinge providing double rotation axes, allows the display panel to fold inward, preventing the modified folding area from being visually recognized by maintaining a consistent appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display module is repeatedly folded and unfolded, then the flexibility and portability are improved, but the folding area becomes stretched and deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support portions (first support portion, second support portion, third support portion) with different thickness configurations. Each support portion is positioned at specific locations relative to the folding area, creating a segmented support system that differentially manages stress during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support structure have different thicknesses to provide localized support characteristics. The first support portion has increasing thickness from first to second side surface, while the second support portion has increasing thickness from second to third side surface. This local variation in thickness provides targeted support to specific areas during folding, preventing uniform deformation across the entire folding area.
2Device complexity
If the folding area is supported uniformly, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the visual deformation becomes more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs varying thicknesses at different locations rather than uniform thickness. The first support portion has greater thickness at the second side surface compared to the first side surface, and the second support portion has greater thickness at the third side surface compared to the second side surface. This local quality variation provides enhanced support precisely where needed during folding operations, maintaining visual appearance consistency without requiring a completely complex support system.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a first support portion and a second support portion arranged in a first direction with the first support portion. The display device further includes a display panel disposed on the first and second support portions, and a hinge configured to provide first and second rotation axes to the first and second support portions, respectively, the first and second rotation axes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. A thickness of the first support portion increases from a first side surface of the first support portion toward a second side surface of the first support portion. A thickness of the second support portion increases from a first side surface of the second support portion toward a second side surface of the second support portion. The first side surface of the second support portion faces the first side surface of the first support portion.