Curved display and curved display support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible or curved screen technologies cannot form a continuous emissive surface without intermediate bezels, providing non-skewed viewing experiences for both vertical and non-vertical surfaces, and fail to support bendable screens in upright orientations with varying degrees of bending.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible or bendable display screens that can curve about different non-parallel axes to form a single fixed emissive surface, integrated with a support structure to maintain the screen's shape and allow for dynamic configuration of workstations with touch-sensitive interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If flexible or curved screen technologies are used to increase immersion and viewing area, then user immersion and productivity are improved, but the ability to provide continuous emissive surfaces without intermediate bezels and to support upright orientations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemissive surface areaVSAvoidviewing experience continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is divided into multiple curved screen segments that can be independently supported and positioned. Each segment maintains its own support structure, allowing them to be arranged in various configurations (vertical, horizontal, angled) while collectively forming a continuous viewing surface without visible bezels between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the display from traditional 2D flat surfaces into 3D curved and angled configurations. Screens are arranged to wrap around vertical and horizontal axes, creating immersive environments that utilize spatial dimensions beyond the conventional flat plane, enabling continuous emissive surfaces in multiple orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple separate screens are arranged to increase viewing area, then productivity is improved, but intermediate bezels appear that break the emissive surface continuity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal display areaVSAvoidemissive surface continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple curved screen segments are positioned and configured to appear as a unified continuous surface. The segments are arranged with precise spacing and alignment, and their curved designs are coordinated to create seamless transitions between adjacent screens, effectively merging multiple display elements into a visually continuous emissive surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If bendable screens are used to create dynamic configurations, then adaptability is improved, but the ability to maintain stable shapes in upright orientations is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen configuration flexibilityVSAvoidscreen shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Support structures are pre-configured in various stable geometric configurations (tripods, A-frames, articulated arms) that are designed to maintain specific screen orientations and curvatures. These pre-engineered supports provide inherent stability for upright and angled positions, allowing bendable screens to maintain their intended shapes without requiring active control during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid support structures and mounting mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the flexible screen and the environment. These supports transfer and distribute mechanical loads, providing the necessary structural stability for upright orientations while allowing the screen itself to maintain its flexible, reconfigurable nature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If large single screens are used to increase immersion, then user immersion is improved, but peripheral viewing becomes burdensome and perspective is skewed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay screen areaVSAvoidperipheral viewing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using one extremely large screen, the display area is segmented into multiple smaller curved screens arranged in configurations that surround the user. This segmentation allows each screen to be positioned at optimal viewing distances and angles, eliminating the need for users to strain or turn their heads to view peripheral content, while collectively providing a large total display area for immersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11102857B1Curved display and curved display support

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 STEELCASE INC

AI summary

An emissive surface assembly includes an emissive surface configuration having a substantially contiguous emissive surface on which visual content may be presented. The emissive surface configuration has emissive surface sections including at least a first substantially flat emissive surface section, at least first and second curved emissive surface sections that are curved about first and second non-parallel axis, the first curved section positioned adjacent a first edge of the first substantially flat emissive surface section, the second curved section adjacent a second edge of the first substantially flat emissive surface section, each of the curved and flat surface sections forming a portion of the substantially contiguous emissive surface, and a driver for presenting content on the substantially contiguous emissive surface.