Inclined Pattern Holes in Foldable Display Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display devices face damage to protective films and panels due to repetitive folding and unfolding, leading to potential cracks and foreign substance entry through pattern holes.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a plate with pattern holes defined by inclined surfaces, where the first inclined surface forms an obtuse angle with the first surface and the side surface forms a smaller angle, distributing pressure and increasing the contact area with the protective film, thereby reducing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the plate has vertical side surfaces defining pattern holes, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but pressure concentrates at the corners causing damage to the protective film during folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of protective filmVSAvoidcomplexity of plate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing vertical side surfaces with inclined surfaces that form obtuse angles (greater than 90 degrees) with the first surface of the plate. This curved/angled geometry distributes pressure away from sharp corners during folding, preventing protective film damage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the contact area between plate and protective film is small, then the structure is compact, but pressure is concentrated causing damage during repetitive folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to folding damageVSAvoidcontact area of plate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surfaces create a larger effective contact area with the protective film during folding by distributing the contact point across the inclined plane rather than concentrating it at a vertical edge. This geometric transformation increases the contact area without requiring a larger overall plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If pattern holes have vertical walls, then manufacturing is straightforward, but foreign substances can easily enter during folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of foreign substance entryVSAvoidease of pattern hole fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surfaces forming obtuse angles create a self-cleaning geometry where foreign substances are less likely to become trapped in the pattern holes during folding. The angled surfaces prevent horizontal accumulation of contaminants while remaining manufacturable through conventional machining methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11977409B2Display device

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including a folding area and a non-folding area, and a plate which faces the display panel. The plate includes first surface and a second surface which is opposite to the first surface, and a pattern hole which is defined in the plate and corresponding to the folding area of the display panel. The pattern hole is defined by a side surface of the plate, and a first inclined surface of the plate which connects the first surface and the side surface to each other. With respect to the first surface, the first inclined surface forms a first angle and the side surface forms a second angle, and the first angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first surface is different from the second angle of the side surface with respect to the first surface.