Flexible Display Ball-Rail Structure for Accurate Low-Friction Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face issues with slip and friction when two bodies slide relative to each other, leading to potential damage and inaccurate movement, with components exposed and prone to foreign substances.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device design featuring a ball module and rail system with rolling-contact movement, minimizing slip and friction through a circulation path and sliding grooves, ensuring accurate movement and protection of internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two bodies slide relative to each other to deform the flexible display, then the device can change size and shape, but slip and friction occur causing inaccurate movement and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice size change capabilityVSAvoidmovement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ball module as an intermediary component between the first and second bodies. This ball module includes a circulation path with rolling-contact portions that mediate the relative movement between the two bodies, converting sliding friction into rolling motion to eliminate slip and ensure accurate movement while maintaining the flexible display's deformability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional sliding mechanical system with a rolling-contact system. By substituting the sliding interface with a ball module that utilizes rolling motion along a circulation path, the system eliminates the harmful effects of sliding friction while preserving the mechanical deformation capability of the flexible display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two bodies slide relative to each other, then the flexible display can be deformed, but friction occurs between the two bodies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay deformation capabilityVSAvoidfrictional force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The ball module serves as a mediator that introduces rolling-contact portions into the system. These rolling-contact portions significantly reduce frictional forces compared to direct sliding contact, allowing the flexible display to be deformed while minimizing energy loss to friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the high-friction sliding mechanical system with a low-friction rolling-contact system. The ball module's circulation path enables rolling motion that dramatically reduces frictional forces, allowing efficient deformation of the flexible display with minimal energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If components are exposed for sliding movement, then the mechanism is simple, but foreign substances can enter and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism structureVSAvoidforeign substance contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ball module is nested within the device structure, with the circulation path forming a closed or enclosed system. This nesting approach allows the sliding/rolling mechanism to be contained within the device body, preventing foreign substances from entering while maintaining mechanical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The ball module acts as an intermediary that encapsulates the movement mechanism. By introducing this intermediate structure with a circulation path, the system protects internal components from foreign substance contamination while enabling the necessary relative movement between bodies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The design reduces frictional forces, prevents exposure of components, and ensures precise, smooth operation of the flexible display device while maintaining a compact form factor.

Implementation Method 1

portions connecting two bodies are in rolling-contact with each other to remarkably reduce slip and friction which occur upon the relative movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling-contact: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS12360554B2Flexible display device

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A flexible display device is disclosed. The flexible display device comprises a first body, a second body, a flexible display, a ball module, and rails. The ball module includes a case and a plurality of moving balls. The moving balls are inserted into circulation paths of the case and arranged to be movable along the circulation paths, and some of the moving balls are in contact with sliding grooves of the rails. The case may be fixed to the first body, and the rails may be fixed to the second body. When the second body moves in parallel to a first direction with respect to the first body, the moving balls in contact with the sliding grooves roll and move along the circulation paths, such that slippage and friction generated on the ball module can be reduced, and the second body can move smoothly.