Flexible Display Case with Movable Members for Shock Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices with folding structures face challenges in protecting internal components from external shocks, especially when the device is in a state where the two frames are moved away from each other, leading to potential damage during falls.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device case is designed with movable members that adjust their overlapping area as the device's frames move, incorporating a shock-reducing mechanism with slits and an engaging member to absorb external forces and prevent relative movement of the frames, thus minimizing impact on internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the two frames are moved away from each other to allow flexible display movement, then the flexible display can be exposed to front and rear surfaces, but the internal components become vulnerable to external shocks and falls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible display exposureVSAvoidcomponent protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a case with shock-absorbing structures (first and second members with overlapping areas) that are pre-configured to protect internal components. When external shock occurs, these members absorb the impact force before it reaches the vulnerable internal components, thus preventing damage while maintaining the flexible display's mobility between frames.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a fixed case structure is used to protect internal components, then component protection is improved, but the case cannot respond to the movements of the two frames

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidresponse to frame movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the case with movable members (first and second members) that can change their overlapping area in response to the relative movement between the two frames. The case transitions from a static protective structure to a dynamic system that adapts its configuration, maintaining protection capability while accommodating frame movement and flexible display exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the overlapping area of the first member and second member is large, then shock absorption is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidcase structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the case into separate first and second members with overlapping areas. This segmentation allows each member to independently absorb shock forces while maintaining structural integrity. The divided structure provides effective shock absorption through the overlapping region without requiring a monolithic complex case design, thus balancing protection capability with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11750237B2Case of flexible display device

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a flexible display device case that is mounted to a flexible display device including a first body and a second body configured to be movable relative to the first body, and including a first member mounted to the first body to surround a side surface portion of the first body, and a second member mounted to the second body to surround a side surface portion of the second body, wherein an area overlapped by the first member and the second member changes as the first body and the second body move relative to each other.