Bendable Cover with Foldable Segments for Flexible Display Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatus with bendable portions, such as flexible displays, lack effective protection mechanisms that allow for easy movement between open and closed configurations while safeguarding electronic components from damage.

Innovation Solution

A substrate with bendable portions comprising rigid members and a bendable cover portion with foldable sections that can be fixed to the substrate using adhesives or projections, enabling the apparatus to transition between configurations while protecting internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bendable portion is provided to enable movement between open and closed configurations, then ease of operation is improved, but protection of electronic components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement between configurationsVSAvoidprotection of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover portion is segmented into multiple sections that can independently fold and move. This segmentation allows the cover to adapt its shape during movement between open and closed configurations, providing continuous protection to electronic components while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rigid cover is used to protect electronic components, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic componentsVSAvoidmovement between configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover portion transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The foldable sections enable the cover to change its configuration during movement, maintaining protection capability while significantly improving ease of operation between open and closed states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the cover portion is made fully rigid, then strength is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover protection capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into rigid segments connected by foldable joints. This segmentation maintains the strength and protection capability of rigid sections while introducing adaptability through the foldable connections, allowing the cover to adjust to different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foldable portions utilize flexible structural elements that can bend and deform. These flexible elements connect rigid cover sections, enabling the overall structure to adapt to different configurations while maintaining the protective strength of the rigid portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9927841B2Apparatus and method of providing an apparatus comprising a bendable portion

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises: a substrate wherein the substrate is configured to support a flexible display and the substrate comprises at least one bendable portion configured to enable the substrate to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the at least one bendable portion comprises a plurality of rigid members; and a bendable cover portion configured to cover at least the bendable portion of the substrate wherein the bendable cover portion comprises a plurality of foldable portions configured to be folded between the rigid members such that the foldable portions enable the bendable cover portion to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration.