Arc Bar Flexible Display Shape Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining a stable shape, particularly when transitioning from a flat to a curved configuration, as they lack sufficient structural support to ensure rigidity and consistent curvature.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an arc bar device and a support structure with stability pieces and a guide mechanism allows the flexible display device to transition smoothly from a flat to a curved configuration, using torque hinges and T-shaped components to maintain shape and prevent inflection, while the arc bar device is coupled to the support structure to provide necessary rigidity and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a flexible display device is made without additional support structures, then it maintains flexibility and ease of operation, but it cannot maintain a stable curved shape or provide sufficient rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple stability pieces (first stability piece, second stability piece, etc.) that are distributed across the flexible display device. Each stability piece independently contributes to maintaining the curved shape, allowing the structure to be segmented for better stability while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an arc bar device with a curved geometry that matches the desired curved configuration of the flexible display device. This curvature-based support structure naturally guides the display to maintain a stable arc shape when bent, providing rigidity through geometric design rather than rigid materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If stability pieces are added to the support structure, then rigidity and shape maintenance improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Stability pieces are strategically positioned at specific locations on the flexible display device where they are most needed for maintaining curvature. Rather than uniformly distributing structural support across the entire device, the stability pieces are placed locally to provide rigidity exactly where the flexible display requires shape maintenance during bending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure with stability pieces is designed to dynamically adapt between flat and curved configurations. The stability pieces allow the structure to transition smoothly between states while maintaining rigidity in the curved state, providing the necessary strength only when and where needed rather than being permanently rigid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enables the flexible display device to maintain a stable curved shape, enhancing user experience by allowing for immersive viewing while maintaining the ability to revert to a flat configuration for multiple viewers, thus addressing the issue of shape stability and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

torque hinges and T-shaped components to maintain shape and prevent inflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3436885B1Arc bar flexible display
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3436885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3436885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3436885B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example implementations relate to an arc bar flexible display. For example, an apparatus includes a flexible display device and a support structure adjacent to the flexible display device. The apparatus also includes an arc bar device coupled to the support structure, where a portion of the arc bar device is slidable within a guide mechanism to allow the flexible display device to transform from a flat configuration to a curved configuration.