Expandable Display Structure With Sliding Hinge for Flat Panel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face challenges in expansion and contraction operations due to the need for motors and batteries, which occupy valuable space and complicate design, and existing mechanisms may cause wrinkling or exposure of side surfaces, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A display device utilizing gears, rails, and sliding hinges allows for easy expansion and contraction without batteries, using elastic coupling members and gear systems to maintain panel flatness and protect side surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motor and battery are used to enable expansion and contraction operations, then the display device can be transformed into curved or expanded shapes, but the inner space becomes narrow and design is complicated due to the arrangement of wire and reel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor and battery from the system, extracting the power source components that cause complexity. Instead, it uses a purely mechanical gear-based system that relies on external manual force, thereby simplifying the internal structure while maintaining expansion and contraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical gear system is designed to be self-driven through external manual force applied to the gear portions. The system serves itself by converting external mechanical input directly into expansion/contraction motion through the gear and rail mechanism, eliminating the need for separate power source components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing expansion mechanisms are used, then the display device can be expanded, but the panel may wrinkle or side surfaces may be exposed leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary protective measures by designing the gear and rail system to control the expansion motion precisely. The mechanical linkage ensures that the display panel expands in a controlled manner that prevents wrinkling, and the housing structure is designed to maintain coverage of side surfaces throughout the expansion range, preventing exposure and potential damage before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical gear system includes inherent motion control that acts as a cushioning mechanism, preventing abrupt or uncontrolled panel movement. The interlocking gear portions and guide rails ensure smooth, gradual expansion that protects the panel from stress concentrations that could cause wrinkling or damage.
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
Enables seamless expansion and contraction without batteries, preventing panel wrinkling and side surface exposure, enhancing user convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling elastic member disposed between the first hinge and the second hinge. The sliding hinge provides an elasticity to the moving plate and the main case in a first movement direction that enables the moving plate and the main case to move away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display module, a support plate disposed under the display module and including a plate and a plurality of support bars arranged in a first direction with the plate, a moving plate disposed under the plate and coupled to the support bars, an expansion module disposed between the plate and the moving plate and movable in the first direction, a main case disposed under the moving plate and accommodating the moving plate and the expansion module, and a sliding hinge disposed between the main case and the moving plate.