Flexible switchable support device for display

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (10) for a flexible display (11), wherein the support device (10) comprises a base (12), at least one border region (13a, 13b) and a flexible support (14), wherein the flexible support (14) is at least partially delimited by the at least one border region (13a, 13b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a supporting device for a flexible display. Background Art

[0002] At present, the use of displays in many fields is known. In this case, the display is usually permanently fixedly connected to a support and a housing. However, the latest generation of displays (especially organic light emitting diodes, OLED) can also be implemented as flexible.

[0003] Display devices having a flexible display are known from the prior art.

[0004] For example, a display device for digital image content is known from the document EP 2 958 098 A1. The display device has a flexible display, which is arranged on a flexible inflatable support that is inflated and hardened by means of a compressor. Here, the inflatable support can support the display in the inflated state.

[0005] A projection device for displaying visual information in a vehicle is known from document DE 10 2006 028 049 A1. The display unit of the projection device is designed to be flexible and uses foam material elements in order to automatically inflate when necessary. The projection device is a projection surface made of a flexible material.

[0006] Document DE 10 2006 009 030 B3 discloses an airbag with an illuminating planar element and a method for producing and using the same. In this case, a flexible airbag is provided with a flexible display on the surface, wherein the airbag is filled with gas before use. This is thus a combination of airbag and display. In this case, the airbag is made of a material that retains helium for a particularly long time. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a flexible display, thereby facilitating the operation of the flexible display.

[0008] This object is achieved by a support device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and embodiments are the subject matter of the description and the drawings.

[0009] The present invention relates to a support device for a flexible display. The flexible display is generally configured to be deformable, in particular bendable, rollable or foldable. Alternatively, in an alternative embodiment, the flexible display may be deformable.

[0010] According to the invention, a support device comprises a base, at least one boundary wall and a flexible support, wherein the base receives the flexible support, which is at least partially bounded by the at least one boundary wall and is configured to arrange a flexible display on the flexible support. The support device according to the invention offers the advantage that a support structure for a flexible display is provided, which support structure is designed and arranged such that a mechanically switchable flexibility of the support device can be achieved.

[0011] The support device usually comprises two boundary walls, which are arranged to delimit the flexible support. The base is arranged to surround the flexible support on at least two sides and to receive the flexible support. By delimiting the flexible support by the base and the two boundary walls, a compression space is provided in which the flexible support can be compressed, because the flexible support is delimited on all sides.

[0012] In a further development, one of the boundary walls is configured to receive a flexible display. In an alternative embodiment, at least two boundary walls can each receive at least one flexible display. Receiving here means that the flexible display is adhered to the corresponding boundary wall or is otherwise detachably or permanently connected to the corresponding boundary wall.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the flexible display is configured to be introduced into the boundary wall. Here, the boundary wall can have a recess, which is configured corresponding to the size of the flexible display and is provided for at least partially or completely accommodating the flexible display.

[0014] In one design, the flexible support is designed and arranged as a cavity structure and has mechanical flexibility. The cavity of the cavity structure is arranged to ensure the required flexibility of the display, so that, for example, bending and deformation can be performed on the display without damage. The cavity structure usually has a staggered cavity structure. The individual cavities are brick-like in this case relative to each other. The cavity is usually designed in a rod shape or a long strip shape.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the cavities are designed as pentagons or hexagons and are arranged in a honeycomb pattern relative to each other. In another alternative design, the cavities are designed as round or oval, wherein the round or oval cavities are stacked staggered relative to each other. Usually, the structure of the flexible support is mechanically flexible. That is, the structure of the flexible support is deformable or changeable.

[0016] In the design, the cavity structure is compressible. Compressible means that the cavity structure can be squeezed. Here, the cavity of the cavity structure can be squeezed. Usually, the cavity structure of the flexible support is mechanically squeezed. This causes the cavity structure to reversibly harden and thus the flexible support to reversibly harden. Usually, the cavity structure is configured to restore the original cavity structure when the compression is released.

[0017] Due to the offset arrangement of the cavities, the cavity structure offers the advantage that it forms a stable composite when compressed. The flexible support thus forms a hard, rigid substrate for the flexible display. This offers the advantage that the flexible display can be operated as a touch display via this stable substrate.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the cavity structure can be compressed by a force applied to the flexible support. For example, the applied force is provided by a compressor. During compression, the walls of the cavity structure of the flexible support are guided toward each other or the walls of the flexible support are squeezed. Thus, the compressor applies a force to the cavity structure.

[0019] After the compression is completed, the cavity structure is arranged to restore the original shape of the cavity structure before the compression. The compressible cavity structure can be composed of a soft material that is easy to bend or a flexible material. Alternatively, the compressible cavity structure can be formed by a chain link-like structure, and its chain links (Glieder) are arranged to be foldable together when compressed.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mechanical flexibility of the flexible support is switchable, wherein, by means of a switching unit of the support device, when the flexible support is compressed, the switch is switched to a non-flexible state of the flexible support, and when the flexible support is decompressed / releasing, the switch is switched to a flexible state of the flexible support. This offers the advantage that a rigid substrate can be formed for the flexible display in a selective manner under certain circumstances. The rigid substrate offers the advantage that it is mechanically stable, so that the flexible display can thereby be operated. Typically, the switching unit of the support device is configured to switch or control a compressor.

[0021] In a further development, the flexible support is rigid in the non-flexible state and deformable in the flexible state. Rigidity here means that the flexible support has such a hard structure that the touch function of the display can be operated. The rigid state is obtained by compressing the flexible support. Deformable means that the flexible support has a variable structure. The structure of the flexible support has such a variable state in the non-compressed state.

[0022] The support device according to the invention has in particular two states, namely a flexible state and an inflexible state. By choosing between the flexible state and the inflexible state, a flexible display can be combined with touch operation. This provides a high level of comfort for the vehicle occupants. For example, it is possible to store the flexible display in a space-saving manner by folding or rolling it up when not in use. At the same time, the inflexible state provides the possibility of providing a flexible display when required and also enabling touch operation of the flexible display. The necessity for further operating elements is thus eliminated, which increases the comfort of the vehicle occupants.

[0023] In another embodiment, the flexible support is designed to form a rigid monolithic component together with a flexible display arranged on the flexible support in the inflexible state. By compression, the flexible support is brought into a non-flexible state, wherein the flexible support cannot be bent or folded or rolled up. The flexible support and the flexible display form a rigid monolithic component in the inflexible state. The rigid monolithic component thus forms a flat display that is mechanically stable and can thus be operated by touch.

[0024] In one embodiment, the display is designed as a touch display, wherein the touch display can be operated by touch when the flexible support is in an inflexible state. Due to the compression of the flexible support, the flexible support is brought into an inflexible state. This provides the advantage that a rigid, flat surface is achieved, which is mechanically stable so that it can be used for touch operation.

[0025] In a refinement of the invention, the compression of the flexible support is actively switchable. The compression of the cavity structure is achieved by means of a mechanical compressor. Usually, the compressor is arranged to be actively switchable. Actively switchable means that the mechanical compressor can be manually activated as required. This provides the advantage that the vehicle occupants can actively activate the compression of the flexible support of the support device, so that the flexible display can be touch-operated. Alternatively, the compression of the flexible support can be arranged to be automatically switchable. For example, when switching to cruise driving, the flexible support can automatically switch to a non-flexible state in order to be ready for use by the vehicle occupants. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention is schematically illustrated with the aid of embodiments in the drawings and will be further described with reference to the drawings, wherein identical components are denoted by identical reference numerals. Here, it is shown:

[0027] Figure 1a shows a cross section of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention, wherein the flexible support element is in a flexible state,

[0028] Figure 1bThe support device according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1a , wherein the flexible support is in a flexible state,

[0029] Figure 2a shows a cross section of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention, wherein the flexible support element is in a non-flexible state,

[0030] Figure 2b The support device according to the present invention is shown in Figure 2a , in which the flexible support is in a non-flexible state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1a A cross section through an embodiment of a support device 10 according to the invention is shown, in which the flexible support element 14 is in a flexible state 16 .

[0032] Figure 1a Also shown are a base 12 and boundary walls 13a, 13b, a flexible display 11 and a compressor 18. The base 12 receives a flexible support 14 and forms a base structure around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is delimited by two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the boundary wall 13b is configured to receive the flexible display 11. The flexible display 11 is mounted on the boundary wall 13b.

[0034] The flexible support element 14 is designed in a cavity-like manner or at least partially has a cavity structure 15. The cavity structure 15 is designed in a rod-like manner, wherein the rod-like cavities are stacked one on top of the other in a brick-like manner.

[0035] Alternatively, the flexible support 14 is formed of a rigid or bendable material. The flexible support 14 is usually made of a rigid material, in which case the flexible support 14 is obtained or has mechanical flexibility through the cavity structure 15. This mechanical flexibility is obtained by compressing the cavity structure 15. For example, the cavity structure 15 can be compressed by a force applied to the flexible support 14.

[0036] The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support 14 is switchable, wherein the flexible support 14 switches to an inflexible state of the flexible support 14 when compressed and switches to a flexible state 16 of the flexible support 14 when the flexible support 14 is decompressed.

[0037] Figure 1b The support device 10 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1a, wherein the flexible support 14 is in a flexible state 16. Here, the flexible support 14 with the base 12 and the chamber structure 15 can be seen. In addition, a compressor 18 is shown.

[0038] The base 12 is designed as a receiving portion, which surrounds the cavity structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base 12 is configured as a rectangle. In alternative embodiments, the base 12 can have a slightly round, round or elliptical shape or form other geometric shapes.

[0039] Figure 2a A cross section of an embodiment of a support device 10 according to the invention is shown, wherein the flexible support element 14 is in a non-flexible state 17 .

[0040] Figure 2a Likewise - as Figure 1a Shown - shows a base 12 as well as boundary walls 13a, 13b, a flexible display 11 and a compressor 18. The base 12 receives a flexible support 14 and forms a basic structure 12 around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is delimited by two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

[0041] The boundary wall 13 b accommodates the flexible display 11 , wherein the flexible display 11 is mounted on the boundary wall 13 b .

[0042] The flexible support element 14 is of chamber-like design and has a mechanical flexibility which is achieved by compressing the chamber structure 15 by means of a compressor 18 .

[0043] The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support 14 is switchable, wherein when the flexible support 14 is compressed, it switches to an inflexible state 17 of the flexible support 14 , and when the flexible support 14 is decompressed, it switches to a flexible state 16 of the flexible support 14 .

[0044] Figure 2b The support device 10 according to the present invention is shown Figure 2a The longitudinal section of the embodiment shown has the flexible support 14 in the non-flexible state 17. Here, the flexible support 14 can be seen with the base 12 and the chamber structure 15. Furthermore, the compressor 18 is shown.

[0045] The base 12 is designed as a receiving portion, which surrounds the chamber structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base 12 is designed to be rectangular.

[0046] The compressor 18 compresses the flexible support 14 with a force F. In the process, the flexible support 14 is compressed and the flexible support 14 becomes hard. The rigid, flexible support 14 in the non-flexible state forms a rigid integral component together with the flexible display 11, which is mechanically stable so that it can be operated by touch.

[0047] Figure 2b The flexible support element 14 is shown in a non-flexible state 17. In this case, the cavity structure 15 is compressed by a compressor with a force F. The flexible support element 14 becomes non-flexible due to the compression, so that its cavity structure 15 becomes stiff.

[0048] The compression makes the flexible support 14 no longer bendable or foldable or rollable. In the rigid, non-flexible state 17, the flexible support 14 forms a rigid integral component together with the flexible display 11. The rigid integral component forms a flat display 11, which is mechanically stable and can therefore be operated by touch.

[0049] The compression of the flexible support 14 can be actively switched. The compression of the cavity structure 15 is achieved by means of a mechanical compressor 18. The mechanical compressor 18 can be manually activated as required. Figure 1a A selection is made between a flexible display 11 in a state 17 in which the display 11 is touch-operable and a flexible display 11 in a non-flexible state 17 in which the display 11 is touch-operable.

[0050] List of reference numerals:

[0051] 10 Support equipment

[0052] 11. Flexible Displays

[0053] 12 Base

[0054] 13a, 13b Boundary area

[0055] 14 Flexible support

[0056] 15 Cavity structure

[0057] 16 Flexible state

[0058] 17 Non-flexible state

[0059] 18 Compressor

[0060] F-Force

Claims

1. A support device (10) for a flexible display (11), characterized in that: The support device (10) comprises a base (12), two boundary walls and a flexible support (14), wherein the base (12) receives a flexible support (14), the flexible support (14) is at least partially bounded by the two boundary walls, the flexible support (14) is designed to arrange a flexible display (11) on the flexible support, and the flexible support (14) has a cavity structure and is configured in a rod shape, wherein the rod-shaped cavities are stacked one on top of the other in a brick-like manner.

2. The support device according to claim 1, characterized in that One of the boundary walls is configured to receive a flexible display (11).

3. The support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The flexible support (14) has mechanical flexibility.

4. The support device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The cavity structure (15) is compressible.

5. The support device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The chamber structure (15) can be compressed by a force (12) exerted on a flexible support (14).

6. The support device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support (14) is set to be switchable, wherein, through a switching unit of the support device (10), the flexible support (14) is switched to a non-flexible state (17) when the flexible support (14) is compressed, and is switched to a flexible state (16) when the flexible support (14) is decompressed.

7. The support device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The flexible support (14) is rigid in the inflexible state (17) and is deformable in the flexible state (16).

8. The support device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The flexible support (14) is configured to form a rigid integral component together with a flexible display (11) arranged thereon in a non-flexible state (17).

9. The support device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The display (11) is designed as a touch display, wherein the touch display can be operated by touch when the flexible support (14) is in a non-flexible state.

10. The support device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The compression of the flexible support (14) is actively switchable.

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