Screen Support Mechanism for Crease-Free Foldable Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable display screens often develop creases that can lead to display failure when folded multiple times, causing cracks and poor performance.

Innovation Solution

A screen supporting device with a drive component and a supporting component, where the drive component includes a rotating shaft and a connecting rod that allows the supporting component to rotate and move away from the drive component, creating space for the flexible display screen to fold without forming creases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display screen is folded repeatedly, then the foldable function is achieved, but creases form in the folded area leading to display failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoldable functionVSAvoiddisplay function
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A supporting component is introduced as an intermediary element between the flexible display screen and the drive component. This supporting component provides structural support during folding operations, preventing the screen from forming creases while still allowing the foldable function to operate. The supporting component acts as a mediator that protects the screen during the folding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting component is designed to be dynamically movable relative to the drive component through a rotating shaft mechanism. This dynamic structure allows the supporting component to adjust its position during folding and unfolding operations, providing support when needed and retracting when not required, thus preventing crease formation while maintaining display reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a supporting structure is added to prevent creases, then display reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting component is merged with the drive component through a rotating shaft connection, forming an integrated assembly. This merging reduces the need for separate support mechanisms and simplifies the overall structure while still providing the necessary support function to prevent creases and maintain display reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive component is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the folding motion and simultaneously supports the flexible display screen through the connected supporting component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated support structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining display reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents crease formation during folding, thereby avoiding display failure and ensuring the flexible display screen functions properly even after multiple folding operations.

Implementation Method 1

a supporting component (2), configured to support the bending part; a drive component (1), connected to the supporting component (2) and configured to drive the supporting component (2) to move away from the drive component (1) during the process of folding the flexible display screen (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP3739561B1Screen body support device and foldable flexible display device
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 YUNGU GUAN TECH CO LTD
  • EP3739561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3739561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screen supporting device is provided in this application, which is aimed to solve the problem in the prior art, that a crease, which is easy to form during process of folding a foldable display screen, resulting in display failure. The screen supporting device includes: a drive component and a supporting component rotationally connected to the drive component. The drive component comprises a rotating shaft and a connecting rod rotationally connected to the rotating shaft. The drive component and the supporting component are disposed in a non-display surface of the flexible display screen. The connecting rod is fixed to the supporting component. Through the rotating connection between the rotating shaft and the connecting rod, the supporting component and the drive component relatively rotate and move away from each other to fold or expand the flexible display screen. Thus the problem, that a crease which is formed during folding the flexible display screen resulting in display failure, is solved.