Flexible Display Bend Sensor Using Electromagnetic Field Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bend sensors for flexible display panels, such as piezoelectric sensors, face challenges due to non-uniform and non-directional contact stress, making it difficult to integrate them effectively and limiting the applications of flexible display panels, especially in terms of image quality and usability.

Innovation Solution

A bend sensor system comprising detecting electrodes and a controlling circuit attached to a touch panel on the flexible display panel, which generates signals based on changes in the electric or magnetic field to determine the bending status, including direction and angle, allowing for improved sensing and control actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If piezoelectric bend sensors are used to sense bending status, then bending degree can be determined, but the contact stress is non-uniform and non-directional making integration difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending degree determinationVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical piezoelectric bend sensor with an electromagnetic field-based sensing system using detecting electrodes that generate detecting signals according to changes in electric or magnetic fields during panel bending, eliminating the need for physical contact stress measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field detection mechanism where detecting electrodes sense bending status through field changes rather than direct mechanical contact, allowing for more uniform and directional sensing across the flexible display panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If piezoelectric bend sensors are used, then bending status can be sensed, but the sensor is opaque restricting applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending status sensingVSAvoidapplication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the opaque mechanical piezoelectric sensor with a transparent electromagnetic field-based detecting electrode system, allowing light to pass through and enabling applications where optical transparency is required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sensing mechanism from mechanical stress-based to electromagnetic field-based, fundamentally altering the operating parameters and enabling new application scenarios that require optical transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If conventional bend sensors are disposed on the backside of the flexible display panel, then bending can be sensed, but the image on the bent region is readily suffered from distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending sensing capabilityVSAvoidimage distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the sensing approach from backside mechanical contact to frontside electromagnetic field detection, changing the spatial dimension and interaction method to avoid mechanical stress on the display surface that causes image distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution enables accurate sensing of bending events and status changes on flexible display panels, enhancing image quality and usability by providing a cost-effective and integrated solution for flexible display panels, overcoming the limitations of conventional sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the electric field or the magnetic field of the flexible display panel is subjected to change. Consequently, the bending status of the flexible display panel is sensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

the electric field or the magnetic field of the flexible display panel is subjected to change. Consequently, the bending status of the flexible display panel is sensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9557862B2Bend sensor, bend sensing method and bend sensing system for flexible display panel

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP

AI summary

A bend sensor for a flexible display panel is provided. The bend sensor includes plural detecting electrodes and a controlling circuit. The plural detecting electrodes are disposed on a touch panel. The touch panel is attached on the flexible display panel. The plural detecting electrodes generate plural detecting signals according to a change of an electric field or a magnetic field. The controlling circuit receives the plural detecting signals and judges a bending status of the flexible display panel according to the plural detecting signals.