Support Member with Openings for Flexible Display Sagging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display cover windows in electronic devices are vulnerable to external forces, leading to sagging and potential damage when folded over the entire area of the housing structure.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a supporting member with openings corresponding to the display's through holes to prevent sagging and protect the display from external forces by providing structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible cover window is used to allow folding over the entire area, then the display area is increased and flexibility is improved, but the protective capability against external force deteriorates and sagging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidprotective capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member is divided into multiple regions including a first region with openings corresponding to through holes for sensor modules, and a second region without openings for providing structural support. This segmentation allows the supporting member to simultaneously maintain flexibility where needed and provide strength where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member exhibits different structural properties in different regions: the first region has openings to maintain flexibility and allow sensor functionality, while the second region is solid to provide enhanced protective capability against external forces. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible cover window is used to allow folding, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to impact and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidresistance to impact and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member is segmented into a first region with openings and a second region without openings. The second region acts as a reinforcement zone that provides reliable protection against impact and damage while the first region maintains flexibility for folding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member functions as a composite structure combining regions with different properties - open regions for flexibility and solid regions for strength - thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3933546B1Electronic device comprising support member
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3933546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3933546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3933546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise: a flexible display comprising a display panel and a display substrate disposed under the display panel and having one or more through-holes; at least one sensor module disposed under the flexible display; and a support member disposed between the flexible display and the sensor module and having openings corresponding to at least a part of the through-holes.