Multi-Foldable Display With Differential Metal Back Plate Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-foldable electronic devices face challenges in accommodating elastic deformation of back plates with different curvatures due to the stiffness difference between display substrates and metal back plates, making stable in-folding and out-folding operations difficult.
Innovation Solution
A multi-foldable electronic device with a flexible metal plate featuring differential patterns in folding areas to support various folding operations, including in-folding and out-folding, by adjusting the curvature and deformation characteristics of the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid metal back plate is used to support the foldable display, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate elastic deformation during folding is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The metal back plate is designed with different local properties: rigid regions in non-folding areas provide structural strength, while flexible regions with opening patterns in folding areas allow elastic deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing rigidity for support and flexibility for folding accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The back plate is segmented into multiple regions with different characteristics - rigid support regions and flexible folding regions with opening patterns. This segmentation allows the plate to simultaneously provide structural strength where needed and accommodate deformation where folding occurs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single folding pattern is used in the metal back plate, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to support multiple folding operations with different curvatures is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Different opening patterns are applied to different folding regions of the metal back plate based on their specific curvature requirements. Each folding unit has locally optimized patterns that match its folding characteristics, enabling support for multiple folding operations with different curvatures while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening patterns are designed to dynamically adapt to different folding states and curvature requirements. The patterns allow the metal plate to flex and deform appropriately for each folding operation, providing versatile support for multiple folding modes.
3Reliability
If the metal back plate is made more flexible to accommodate deformation, then folding operation stability is improved, but structural strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The metal back plate employs local quality differentiation where flexible regions with opening patterns provide deformation accommodation for stable folding operations, while rigid regions maintain structural strength. This resolves the contradiction by providing flexibility only where needed for folding stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate is segmented into flexible folding regions and rigid support regions, allowing the flexible segments to provide folding stability while rigid segments maintain overall structural strength.
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
Enables stable and versatile folding operations of the multi-foldable display by accommodating different curvatures and radii of curvature through the use of a flexible metal plate with tailored patterns, enhancing the device's flexibility and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a back plate is disposed on the bottom surface so that the foldable display can be supported by the back plate... an elastic deformation section may be expanded by providing at least one opening pattern in a folding area thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a third housing, a first folding unit configured to allow the first and second housings to be folded in a first folding manner, a second folding unit configured to allow the second and third housings to be folded in a second folding manner, a flexible display disposed across the first to third housings, and a metal plate disposed to face the flexible display to support the folding operation of the flexible display, and including a first folding area in which a first pattern is disposed and a second folding area in which a second pattern different from the first pattern is disposed.