MOUNTING DEVICE FOR A DISPLAY WITH SWITCHABLE FLEXIBILITY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for a flexible display.

[0002] Today, the use of displays is familiar in many environments. Displays are generally rigidly connected to a carrier and a housing. However, the latest generation of displays (especially organic light-emitting diodes, OLEDs) can also be flexible.

[0003] Display devices with flexible displays are known from the state of the art.

[0004] For example, a display device for digital image content is known from document EP 2 958 098 A1. The display device comprises a flexible display arranged on a flexible, inflatable support that is inflated and stiffened by a compressor. The inflated support can support a display when inflated.

[0005] Document DE 10 2006 028 049 A1 discloses a projection device for displaying visual information in a vehicle. A display unit of the projection device is flexible and uses foam elements to inflate itself as needed. The projection device is a projection surface made of a flexible material.

[0006] Document DE 10 2006 009 030 B3 discloses a balloon with a luminous, flat element, a manufacturing method, and its application. A flexible balloon is surface-mounted with a flexible display, which is filled with a gas before use. It is thus a combination of a balloon and a display. The balloon is made of a material that retains helium for a particularly long time. US 2006 0038 745 A1 discloses a screen with variable stiffness for portable electronic devices. The screen contains a flexible electronic display connected to a structural system in which the physical properties can be changed from a flexible to a rigid state to control the stiffness of the display.To achieve rigidity, fluid is pumped into structurally arranged lines behind the screen's surface, making the screen rigid and stable. To restore the screen's flexibility, the fluid pressure in the lines is reduced.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for a flexible display that facilitates operation of the flexible display.

[0008] This object is achieved by a carrying device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the description and the figures.

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

[0010] According to the invention, the support device comprises a base support, at least one boundary wall, and a flexible support, wherein the base support accommodates the flexible support, and wherein the flexible support is at least partially delimited by the at least one boundary wall, and wherein the flexible support is designed to accommodate the flexible display. The support device according to the invention offers the advantage of providing a support structure for flexible displays that is designed and configured such that mechanically switchable flexibility of the support device can be achieved.

[0011] The support device typically comprises two boundary walls configured to define the flexible support. The base support is configured to surround the flexible support on at least two sides and accommodate the flexible support. By defining the flexible support both by the base support and by the two boundary walls, a compression space is created in which the flexible support is compressible, since the flexible support is defined on all sides.

[0012] In a further development, one of the boundary walls is configured to accommodate the flexible display. In an alternative embodiment, at least two boundary walls can each accommodate at least one flexible display. "Accommodating" means that the flexible display is glued to the respective boundary wall or attached in another detachable or fixed manner.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the flexible display is formed by being incorporated into the boundary wall. The boundary wall may have a recess configured to correspond to the dimensions of the flexible display and to accommodate the flexible display at least partially or completely.

[0014] The flexible carrier is designed and configured as a chamber-like structure and exhibits mechanical flexibility. The chambers of the chamber-like structure are configured to ensure the necessary flexibility of the display, for example, to allow bending and deformation of the display without causing damage. The chamber-like structure typically features offset cavity structures. The individual cavities are arranged in a brick-like manner. The cavities are typically rod-shaped or elongated.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the cavities are pentagonal or hexagonal and arranged in a honeycomb pattern. In another alternative embodiment, the cavities are circular or oval, with the circular or oval cavities arranged offset from one another. Typically, the structure of the flexible support is mechanically flexible. This means that the structure of the flexible support is deformable or changeable.

[0016] The chamber-like structure is compressible.

[0017] Compressible means that the chamber-like structure can be compressed. The cavities of the chamber-like structure can be compressed. Typically, the chamber-like structure of the flexible support is mechanically compressed. This leads to a reversible stiffening of the chamber-like structure and thus to a reversible stiffening of the flexible support. Typically, the chamber-like structure is designed to return to its original chamber-like structure when the compression decreases.

[0018] The chamber-like structure, supported by the staggered arrangement of the cavities, offers the advantage of forming a stable bond upon compression. This allows the flexible carrier to form a hard, rigid base for the flexible display. This offers the advantage that the flexible display can be operated as a touchscreen thanks to the solid base.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, the chamber-like structure is compressible by a force applied to the flexible support. For example, the applied force is provided by a compressor. During compression, the walls of the chamber-like structure of the flexible support are brought toward each other or the walls of the flexible support are pressed together. The compressor thus applies a force to the chamber-like structure.

[0020] After the compression is terminated, the chamber-like structure is configured to return to the original shape it had prior to compression. The compressible chamber-like structure may be formed from a yielding, soft or flexible material. Alternatively, the compressible chamber-like structure may be formed from a link-like structure whose links are configured to be collapsible upon compression.

[0021] The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support is switchable, with a switching unit of the support device switching the flexible support to an inflexible state upon compression of the flexible support, and switching the flexible support to a flexible state upon decompression of the flexible support. This offers the advantage that a rigid base can optionally be designed for the flexible display in certain situations. A rigid base offers the advantage of being mechanically stable, thereby enabling operation of the flexible display. Typically, the switching unit of the support device is configured to switch or control the compressor.

[0022] The flexible carrier is rigid in its inflexible state and deformable in its flexible state. Rigid means that the flexible carrier has a structure so hard that a touch function of the display can be operated. The rigid state is achieved by compressing the flexible carrier. Deformable means that the flexible carrier has a changeable structure. The structure of the flexible carrier exhibits this state in its uncompressed state.

[0023] The carrying device according to the invention has, in particular, two states: the flexible and the inflexible state. By choosing between the flexible and inflexible states, a combination of the flexible display with touch operation is possible. This offers a high level of comfort for a vehicle occupant. 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 offers the possibility of making the flexible display available when needed and also enabling touch operation of the flexible display. The need for additional control elements is thus eliminated, which increases the vehicle occupant's sense of comfort.

[0024] In a further development, the flexible support is configured to form a rigid assembly in the inflexible state together with the flexible display arranged thereon. Through compression, the flexible support forms the inflexible state in which the flexible support cannot be bent, folded, or rolled. Together with the flexible display, the flexible support in the inflexible state and the flexible display form the rigid assembly. The rigid assembly thus forms a straight display that is mechanically stable and therefore touch-operable.

[0025] In one embodiment, the display is designed as a touch display, whereby the touch display can be operated by touch when the flexible support is inflexible. By compressing the flexible support, the flexible support assumes the inflexible state. This offers the advantage of creating a flat surface with a rigidity that is mechanically stable enough to be used for touch operation.

[0026] In one development of the invention, the compression of the flexible support is actively switchable. The compression of the chamber-like structure is achieved by means of a mechanical compressor. As a rule, the compressor is configured to be actively switchable. Actively switchable means that the mechanical compressor can be manually activated as needed. This offers the advantage that a vehicle occupant can actively activate the compression of the flexible support of the carrying device, allowing the flexible display to be operated via touch. Alternatively, the compression of the flexible support can be configured to be automatically switchable. For example, when switching to a piloted journey, the flexible support can automatically switch to the inflexible state to prepare it for use by the vehicle occupant.

[0027] The invention is schematically illustrated by means of embodiments in the drawing and will be further described with reference to the drawing, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals. It shows: Fig. 1a a cross section through an embodiment of the carrying device according to the invention with a flexible carrier in a flexible state, Fig. 1b a longitudinal section through the in - Fig. 1a - shown embodiment of the carrying device according to the invention with the flexible carrier in the flexible state, Fig. 2a a cross section through an embodiment of the carrying device according to the invention with a flexible carrier in an inflexible state, Fig. 2b a longitudinal section through the in - Fig. 2a - shown embodiment of the carrying device according to the invention with the flexible carrier in the inflexible state.

[0028] Figure 1ashows a cross section through an embodiment of the carrying device 10 according to the invention with a flexible carrier 14 in a flexible state 16.

[0029] Figure 1a further shows a base support 12 as well as boundary walls 13a, 13b, the flexible display 11, and a compressor 18. The base support 12 accommodates the flexible support 14 and forms a basic structure around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is bounded by the two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

[0030] In In the present embodiment, the boundary wall 13b is configured to accommodate the flexible display 11. The flexible display 11 is mounted on the boundary wall 13b.

[0031] The flexible support 14 is chamber-shaped or has a chamber-like structure 15 at least in some areas. The chamber-like structure 15 is rod-shaped, with the rod-shaped cavities arranged one on top of the other in a brick-like manner.

[0032] The flexible support 14 is optionally formed from a rigid or bendable material. Typically, the flexible support 14 is formed from a rigid material, with the flexible support 14 being given or having mechanical flexibility by the chamber-like structure 15. This mechanical flexibility is achieved by compressing the chamber-like structure 15. For example, the chamber-like structure 15 is compressible by a force applied to the flexible support 14.

[0033] The mechanical flexibility of the flexible carrier 14 is switchable, wherein upon compression of the flexible carrier 14 the flexible carrier 14 is switched to an inflexible state and upon decompression of the flexible carrier 14 the flexible carrier 14 is switched to a flexible state 16.

[0034] Figure 1b shows a longitudinal section through the in - Figure 1a - shows an embodiment of the carrying device 10 according to the invention with the flexible support 14 in the flexible state 16. The flexible support 14 with the base support 12 and the chamber-like structure 15 can be seen. Furthermore, the compressor 18 is shown.

[0035] The base support 12 is designed as a receptacle that surrounds the chamber-like structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base support 12 is rectangular. In alternative embodiments, the base support 12 can have a rounded, circular, or oval shape, or can form another geometric shape.

[0036] Figure 2a shows a cross section through an embodiment of the carrying device 10 according to the invention with a flexible carrier 14 in an inflexible state 17.

[0037] Figure 2a also shows - as in Figure 1a shown - the base support 12 as well as the boundary walls 13a, 13b, the flexible display 11 and the compressor 18. The base support 12 accommodates the flexible support 14 and forms the base structure 12 around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is bounded by the two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

[0038] The boundary wall 13b accommodates the flexible display 11, wherein the flexible display 11 is applied to the boundary wall 13b.

[0039] The flexible carrier 14 is chamber-like and has a mechanical flexibility which is achieved by the compression of the chamber-like structure 15 by means of the compressor 18.

[0040] The mechanical flexibility of the flexible carrier 14 is switchable, whereby upon compression of the flexible carrier 14 the flexible carrier 14 switches to the inflexible state 17 and upon decompression of the flexible carrier 14 the flexible carrier 14 switches to the flexible state 16.

[0041] Figure 2b shows a longitudinal section through the in - Fig. 2a- shows an embodiment of the carrying device 10 according to the invention with the flexible support 14 in the inflexible state 17. The flexible support 14 can be seen with the base support 12 and the chamber-like structure 15. Furthermore, the compressor 18 is shown.

[0042] The base support 12 is designed as a receptacle that surrounds the chamber-like structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base support 12 is rectangular.

[0043] The compressor 18 compresses the flexible support 14 with the force F. The flexible support 14 is thereby compressed and stiffened. Together with the flexible display 11, the rigid, flexible support 14 forms a rigid assembly in this inflexible state, which is so mechanically stable that it can be operated by touch.

[0044] Figure 2bshows the flexible support 14 in the inflexible state 17. The chamber-like structure 15 is compressed by the compressor with the force F. Due to the compression, the flexible support 14 is inflexible, such that its chamber-like structure 12 stiffens.

[0045] Due to the compression, the flexible carrier 14 is no longer bendable, foldable, or rollable. In the rigid, inflexible state 17, the flexible carrier 14 forms the rigid assembly together with the flexible display 11. The rigid assembly forms a straight display 11 that is mechanically stable and thus touch-operable.

[0046] The compression of the flexible support 14 is actively switchable. The compression of the chamber-like structure 15 is achieved by means of the mechanical compressor 18. The mechanical compressor 18 can be manually activated as required. Thus, there is the choice between a flexible display 11, in a - in Fig. 1ashown - flexible state 16, which is easy to store and a flexible display 11 in an inflexible state 17, in which the display 11 can be operated by touch. List of reference symbols

[0047] 10Supporting device 11Flexible display 12Base support 13a, 13bBoundary area 14Flexible support 15Chamber-like structure 16Flexible state 17Inflexible state 18Compressor FForce

Claims

1. A carrier apparatus (10) for a flexible display (11), wherein the carrier apparatus (10) comprises a base carrier (12), at least one boundary wall (13a, 13b) and a flexible carrier (14), wherein the base carrier (12) accommodates the flexible carrier (14) and wherein the flexible carrier (14) is at least partially bounded by the at least one boundary wall (13a, 13b) and wherein the flexible carrier (14) is designed to arrange the flexible display (11) arranged, characterized in that the flexible carrier (14) is designed and configured as a chamber-like structure (15) and has a mechanical flexibility, wherein the chamber-like structure (15) can be compressed, wherein the mechanical flexibility of the flexible carrier (14) is configured to be switched, wherein by means of a switching unit of the carrier unit (10), when the flexible carrier (14) is compressed, the flexible carrier (14) is switched to an inflexible state (17) and, when the flexible carrier (14) is decompressed, the flexible carrier (14) is switched to a flexible state (16) of the flexible carrier (14), wherein the display (11) is designed as a touch display, wherein the touch display can be operated by touch in the inflexible state of the flexible carrier (14).

2. The carrier apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the boundary walls (13a, 13b) is configured for accommodating the flexible display (11).

3. The carrier apparatus (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber-like structure (15) can be compressed by a force (12) applied to the flexible carrier (14).

4. The carrier apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible carrier (14) is rigid in the inflexible state (17) and deformable in the flexible state (16).

5. The carrier apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible carrier (14), together with the flexible display (11) arranged on it, is configured to form a rigid overall system in the inflexible state (17).

6. The carrier apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression of the flexible carrier (14) can be actively switched, wherein the mechanical compressor can be activated manually if required.