Variable-Height Display Support for Foldable Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face issues with poor waterproofing due to folding and unfolding operations, leading to non-attachment areas and durability degradation, especially when support structures are not properly aligned with waterproof members.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a display support structure with varying heights, including a first part and a second part higher than the first, positioned to overlap the folding area, enhancing adhesion and durability of waterproof members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a support structure with the same height as the waterproof member is disposed, then the support structure can be easily manufactured, but the waterproof member has a non-attachment area due to physical level difference, resulting in poor waterproofing
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with different heights in different regions: a first height in the first area (non-folding area) and a second height greater than the first height in the second area (folding area). This local quality differentiation ensures that the support structure provides adequate support in the folding area while maintaining proper alignment with the waterproof member in the non-folding area, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable waterproofing.
2Reliability
If the support structure is given a lower height than the waterproof member to avoid poor waterproofing, then waterproofing is improved, but durability and surface quality are degraded by sagging caused by gap between flexible display and support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs different heights in different regions to simultaneously achieve waterproofing and durability. The second height in the folding area is greater than the first height in the non-folding area, ensuring that the flexible display is adequately supported in the folding region to prevent sagging, while maintaining proper alignment with the waterproof member in the non-folding region to ensure waterproofing performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If there is a physical level difference between support structure and waterproof member, then manufacturing is simplified, but adhesion of waterproof member is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with a first height in the first area and a second height greater than the first height in the second area. This local quality differentiation ensures that the support structure provides adequate support in the folding area while maintaining proper alignment with the waterproof member in the non-folding area, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable adhesion.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing including a first housing, and a second housing which is rotatably coupled to the first housing, a flexible display facing the first and second housings and including a folding area, a waterproof member between the housing and the flexible display, and a support structure between the housing and the flexible display, where the support structure includes a first part having a first height and a second part having a second height greater than the first height, and the second part is overlapping the folding area.