Flexible Display Cover Sliding Mechanism for Elongation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible devices with flexible displays are limited by differences in elongation when curved or folded, restricting their bending and folding angles, and existing solutions do not effectively address these limitations while maintaining a slim design and concealing the folding mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A movable cover and folding unit with a sliding mechanism that adjusts to differences in elongation, allowing for a wider range of bending and folding angles, and incorporating a folding member with ribs designed using equations to optimize the folded angle, while maintaining a slim and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible device is curved or folded, then the display can be bent to different angles, but differences in elongation restrict the bent angle or folded angle
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is divided into a first display portion and a second display portion that can be folded relative to each other. The folding unit includes a folding member with multiple ribs that segment the folding region, allowing each segment to accommodate different elongation amounts independently, thus resolving the elongation difference problem while enabling broader bending angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the folding structure by designing ribs with specific cross-sectional shapes (convex toward the folding inner surface) and varying thicknesses. The first and second portions are configured with different thickness ratios to compensate for elongation differences, allowing the device to maintain reliability across a wider range of bending angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a folding mechanism is added to enable broader bending angles, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding unit integrates multiple functions into a single compact structure. The folding member combines support, guidance, and elongation compensation functions within one component. The ribs are integrated directly into the folding member rather than being separate elements, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adaptability for angle adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding member is disposed within a凹槽 (recess) of the display device, concealing the folding mechanism within the device body. The ribs are nested within the folding member structure, allowing the complex folding mechanism to be compacted into a space-efficient design that does not increase external device dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the folding mechanism is made visible, then structural functionality is clear, but external appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The folding member is extracted from the visible external surface and placed within a recess of the display device. Only necessary portions of the folding mechanism remain visible, while the majority is concealed within the device body, maintaining a clean external appearance while preserving structural functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display portions use flexible display technology that can be bent and folded without rigid mechanical joints visible on the exterior. The flexible display film itself serves as the folding mechanism, eliminating the need for visible external hinges or joints while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible device in which a display is folded is provided. The flexible device includes a main body, a flexible display fixed to a first surface of the main body, and a cover coupled to the main body to face a second surface of the main body, wherein the second surface of the main body is opposite to the first surface of the main body, such that when the main body is curved or folded, the cover moves with respect to the second surface of the main body to compensate for a difference in elongation, which is generated when the main body is curved or folded.