Flexible Display Deployment via Cylindrical Housing and Resilient Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electronic devices with rigid displays cannot fully utilize the advantages of flexible displays, as they cannot be easily deployed or retracted, limiting their functionality and usability in various forms and sizes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a cylindrical housing with a transparent window and a flexible display that is wound around a first member, which can be inserted into the housing and extended outside to deploy the display, using a resilient member or shape memory alloy for deployment, allowing the display to change from a compact to a flat, fully visible state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display is integrated into a traditional rigid device, then the display can be deflected or bent to various degrees, but the device cannot fully utilize the advantages of flexible displays due to inability to deploy or retract
Solution Approach 1:
The display is designed to transition between different states (retracted and deployed) rather than being fixed in one configuration. The support structure enables dynamic movement of the display between a compact retracted position and a fully deployed flat position, allowing the device to adapt to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is divided into a flexible display portion and a separate support structure. This segmentation allows the flexible display to be independently moved and positioned relative to the housing, enabling it to be retracted into the housing when not in use and deployed when needed.
2Productivity
If the flexible display is always deployed, then it provides full display functionality, but it cannot be compacted for storage or portability
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display is designed to be nested within the housing when not in use. The support structure allows the display to be retracted inside the housing, creating a compact form factor that maintains full display functionality when deployed but minimizes volume when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The display transitions between a compact nested state for storage and a fully deployed state for functionality. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the device to optimize its volume based on whether it is being used or stored.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical deployment mechanism is added, then the display can be conveniently deployed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides automatic deployment of the flexible display without requiring external power or complex control mechanisms. When the user applies force to extend the support structure, the resilient member automatically pushes the display into its deployed position, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy changes its physical state in response to temperature changes, automatically transforming the display between retracted and deployed configurations. This passive transformation based on environmental parameter changes eliminates the need for active mechanical actuators.
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
Enables convenient deployment and retraction of a flexible display, enhancing usability by providing a compact form for storage and a fully visible, flat form for display, accommodating different user scenarios and activities.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic device may conveniently deploy a flexible display by using a mechanical force (for example, a resilient force) of a resilient member
Implementation Method 2
The electronic device may conveniently deploy a flexible display by using a mechanical force (for example, a resilient force) of a resilient member or a shape memory alloy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device includes a flexible display, a support structure that supports the flexible display and a housing, into which the flexible display and the support structure are inserted. When the support structure is inserted into the housing, the flexible display is inserted into the housing together with the support structure while being wound in a specific direction. When the support structure extends outside the housing, the flexible display is deployed so that the flexible display is substantially flat.