Curved Display Extending Area Without Increasing Device Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with flat screens face challenges in increasing display area without compromising portability, as enlarging the screen size leads to increased device size and reduced portability, especially in mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A mobile electronic device design featuring a curved display area with a flat surface and a curved surface extending from it, incorporating an external transparent protective layer, an opaque area at the edge of the curved surface, and a panel module with display and non-display areas, where the opaque area is positioned to obscure the non-display area from view, maintaining a compact size while extending the display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the size of a flat display area is increased to extend the display area, then the display area is extended, but the overall size of the electronic device increases, degrading portability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidoverall device size
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the display surface by extending the display area along a curved surface rather than a flat plane. The curved surface allows the display to wrap around edges or corners of the device, effectively increasing the display area without proportionally increasing the device's overall volume. This curvature principle enables the display to utilize three-dimensional space more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat display to a three-dimensional curved display that extends along the surface of the device. By utilizing the third dimension (depth/curvature), the display area is extended without requiring a proportional increase in the device's footprint or volume, thus maintaining portability while achieving larger display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a curved display is implemented to extend display area, then display area is extended, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display structure into multiple components: a curved surface support structure, a curved surface part, and a flat surface part. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled together to form the complete curved display, reducing the overall structural complexity compared to a monolithic curved display design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the curved surface support structure provides the foundational framework, the curved surface part is positioned on and supported by this framework, and the flat surface part connects to the curved surface part. This nesting approach allows multiple functional layers to be integrated in a compact arrangement, managing structural complexity through hierarchical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3678355B1Curved display and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3678355B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3678355B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3678355B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A curved display including an external protective layer with an edge at least a part of which has a certain curvature, an opaque layer disposed at the edge of the external protective layer, and a panel module layer including an electrode trace area aligned under the opaque layer.