Flexible Display Curved Surface Protective Guard

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices with curved surfaces are vulnerable to damage from external impacts, and existing protective methods, such as using glass, are ineffective in shielding the curved portions, especially in foldable and rollable devices.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device with a protective structure comprising a first and extended protective guard that can be rotated and overlapped to shield or expose the curved surface portions, featuring a polygonal fastening mechanism for easy mounting and detachment, and filters to prevent foreign substances from entering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glass or hard materials are used to protect the curved surface portion, then the protective strength is improved, but the flexibility and bendability of the display device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective strengthVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible protective film or coating layer applied directly to the curved surface portion of the flexible display. This thin film provides protective functionality while maintaining the flexibility and bendability of the underlying flexible display structure, resolving the contradiction between needing protection and maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure is divided into separate functional layers: a flexible base layer matching the display curvature and a protective coating layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently - the base layer maintains flexibility while the coating provides protection, resolving the contradiction between protective strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a fixed protective structure is added to shield the curved surface, then the protective coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective coverageVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex rigid protective structures, the patent uses a flexible protective film that conformally follows the curved surface geometry. This approach provides comprehensive protective coverage without requiring additional mechanical components, joints, or complex assembly mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible protective film acts as an intermediary layer between the curved surface and external impact sources. It provides protection through its inherent material properties rather than through complex structural mechanisms, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining reliable protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If the protective structure is made detachable for easy maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability of protection may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidprotection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is segmented into a removable protective film or coating that can be easily detached for maintenance or replacement. This segmentation enables simple maintenance operations while the film's direct contact with the curved surface ensures reliable protection when attached, resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4075765B1Flexible display device
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4075765B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075765B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4075765B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3A

AI summary

A flexible display device is provided. A flexible display device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a body, a flexible display, and a first protective guard. The first protective guard, which moves with respect to the body, covers or exposes at least a part of a first curved portion of the flexible display. The first protective guard protects the first curved portion so as to protect the first curved portion from inadvertently contacting an external object, and when the first protective guard is rotated with respect to the body, the first curved portion can be exposed to the outside.