Flexible Display Connecting Assembly for Flatness and Bendability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display screens face challenges in balancing bendability and service life, as existing shaft structures either compromise flatness or longevity during bending.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly featuring a hanging-hole-shaped fixing structure with link members, shafts, and fixing members that allow relative motion between display regions, enabling bending while maintaining surface flatness through an elastic material layer and synchronous rotation mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing shaft structures are used to ensure bendability of the middle parts, then the flexible display screen can be folded, but the flatness of the flexible display screen is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting assembly is divided into multiple link members (first link member, second link member, third link member) connected through shafts. This segmentation allows each link member to rotate independently around the shaft, enabling the middle display region to bend while keeping the first and second display regions flat. The segmented structure resolves the contradiction by localizing deformation to specific segments rather than the entire display screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting assembly introduces dynamic rotation capability through shafts that allow the link members to rotate relative to each other. This dynamic mechanism enables the structure to adapt between flat and bent states: when rotated, the middle region bends; when aligned, the entire structure remains flat. This dynamic property allows the system to maintain flatness during non-bending operations while enabling bendability when needed.
2Shape
If existing shaft structures are used to maintain flatness of the flexible display screen, then the appearance is preserved, but the service life is reduced due to fractures during bending
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connecting assembly into multiple link members connected by shafts, the bending stress is distributed across multiple rotation joints rather than concentrated in a single rigid structure. This segmentation prevents stress concentration that would cause fractures, thereby extending service life while maintaining the ability to keep the display flat during non-bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material layer is positioned between the shaft and the rigid structures to provide beforehand cushioning. This elastic layer absorbs and cushions the bending stress before it can cause fractures to the shaft or link members, thereby preventing premature failure and extending the service life of the flexible display screen while maintaining flatness capability.
3Strength
If rigid connecting structures are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the flexible display screen cannot be bent without causing fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting assembly replaces rigid connections with dynamic rotational joints centered on shafts. These joints maintain structural strength through proper shaft design and material selection while enabling bending motion. The rotational capability allows the structure to adapt to bending requirements without the rigid connections that would cause fractures, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and bendability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft acts as an intermediary element between the link members, providing a controlled rotation point that maintains structural integrity while enabling bending. The shaft mediates between the need for strong connections and the need for flexibility, allowing relative motion while preventing uncontrolled deformation that would compromise structural strength.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the middle part is made curved to enable folding, then bendability is achieved, but the two sides cannot remain flat simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting assembly is segmented into distinct link members that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the middle display region (connected through the shafts) to curve during bending while the first and second display regions (connected through fixing members) remain flat. Each segment can move independently to achieve the desired shape configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotation capability of the shafts allows the connecting assembly to adapt its shape: when the shafts rotate, the middle region curves to enable folding; when the shafts are aligned, the entire structure including all display regions remains flat. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing shape change only where needed.
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 solution enhances the service life of flexible display screens by preventing fractures during bending and maintaining flatness without sacrificing bendability, using an elastic material layer and synchronized rotation to absorb stress.
Implementation Method 1
using an elastic material layer and synchronized rotation to absorb stress
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting assembly includes a plurality of link members, a hanging-hole-shaped fixing structure having openings configured to hole the plurality of link members, a first shaft and a second shaft coupled to the plurality of link members, and a first fixing member and a second fixing member for coupling to a first display region and a second display region of the flexible display screen respectively. The first and the second fixing members are further coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft respectively. The openings of the hanging-hole-shaped fixing structure are movable to arrange the plurality of link members at different distances from each other, in order to bend the flexible display screen upon a force being exerted on the flexible display screen to cause a relative motion between the first and second display regions of the flexible display screen.