Foldable Display Support With Cover Member for Lattice Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and reducing creases during folding due to stress concentration at lattice portions of the support member, which can lead to impact resistance issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a cover member that covers the lattice portion of the support member, with a width greater than the lattice portion, and a cover adhesive layer to reduce stress and improve impact resistance, while also using adhesive layers with varying moduli to manage folding characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lattice portion is formed in the support member to enable folding, then flexibility and foldability are improved, but stress concentration occurs at the lattice portion leading to reduced structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A cover member is disposed on the lattice portion of the support member before folding occurs, providing protective coverage that prevents stress concentration and structural damage during the folding process. The cover member acts as a pre-positioned protective element that cushions the lattice structure during repeated folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member combines a lattice structure (for flexibility) with a cover member (for protection), creating a composite structure that achieves both foldability and structural integrity. The cover member may be made of different materials than the lattice portion, optimizing each component for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If adhesive layers with varying moduli are used to manage folding characteristics, then folding performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding performanceVSAvoidadhesive layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different adhesive layers with different moduli are applied at different locations between the support member and cover member, optimizing the folding characteristics at each specific position. The first adhesive layer with a first modulus and the second adhesive layer with a second modulus are strategically positioned to achieve optimal folding performance without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire adhesive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250275075A1Display device and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel, a support member under the display panel and including a lattice portion with at least one opening defined, a first lower adhesive layer between the display panel and the support member and overlapping the flat area, a cover adhesive layer between the display panel and the support member and overlapping the folding area, and a cover member between the display panel and the support member, overlapping the folding area, and adhered to the cover adhesive layer.