Flexible Display Edge Protector Segmented Rigid Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible display devices face mechanical stress and material fatigue during extension and collapse, leading to potential breaking and maintenance challenges due to internal storage channels that can accumulate particles, limiting the choice of materials and causing deformation.
Innovation Solution
The use of edge protectors with rigid segments that allow controlled deformation at predetermined points, providing increased mechanical support and ease of maintenance by allowing external storage and cleaning access, while supporting the flexible display's entire surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the side member is stored internally in the housing, then the device structure is compact, but the side member undergoes 90 degree bend causing mechanical stress and material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The edge protector is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by flexible joints, allowing each segment to be stored separately outside the housing while maintaining overall structural integrity. This eliminates the need for internal storage channels and prevents the 90-degree bending stress that would occur if the entire edge protector were stored internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge protector is extracted from the internal storage location and positioned externally on the housing. This allows the edge protector to be stored outside the housing volume, eliminating the mechanical stress caused by internal storage while maintaining compact device overall dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the side member is stored internally in the housing, then the device structure is compact, but maintenance and cleaning of storage channels becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The edge protector is extracted from internal storage and positioned externally on the housing, allowing direct access for cleaning and maintenance operations. The flexible display can be removed from the housing while the edge protector remains externally accessible, enabling easy cleaning of the edge protector and surrounding areas without disassembling the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge protector incorporates flexible joints and segments that allow it to be dynamically adjusted and removed from the housing. This dynamic configuration enables easy access for maintenance while maintaining a compact stored state, bridging the gap between space utilization and maintenance accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the side member undergoes 90 degree bend during extension and collapse, then the display can be stored compactly, but the side member is prone to breaking due to mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The edge protector is segmented into multiple rigid portions connected by flexible joints, allowing the structure to collapse compactly without requiring 90-degree bends along the entire length. Each rigid segment maintains its strength while the flexible joints accommodate the movement, eliminating the mechanical stress that would cause breaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge protector transitions from a uniformly rigid structure to a structure with localized flexibility at the joints between segments. This local quality change allows the edge protector to be stored compactly while maintaining mechanical strength in the rigid segments, preventing breaking due to mechanical stress.
4Strength
If the side member is made rigid to provide structural support, then the edge protection is improved, but the side member cannot be stored compactly without deforming
Solution Approach 1:
The edge protector is divided into rigid segments connected by flexible joints, allowing the rigid segments to provide structural support and edge protection while the flexible joints enable compact storage without permanent deformation. The rigid segments maintain their shape and protective function, while the overall structure can be collapsed into a compact form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic device 60 comprising a flexible display arranged to be alternated between a collapsed state and an extended state, said flexible display comprising edge portions, the flexible display being further provided with an edge protector cooperating with the edge portions, wherein the edge protector is conceived to be alternated between a collapsed state and an extended state. In the electronic device 60a the flexible display 65 is conceived to be wound about a roller 61. The edge protector comprises rigid segments 63a, 63b, 63c, 62a, 62b, 62c, 62c interconnected by suitable means 64a, 64b, 64c. Wiring, pins, bars may be used for interconnecting means 64a, 64b, 64c. In the embodiment 60a an extended position of the edge protector is shown. In the embodiment 60b a collapsed state of the edge protector is shown comprising aggregations of segments 62′, 62″. The bars 64a, 64b, 64c partly protect the back surface of the display. The invention further relates to the electronic device comprising a flexible display wherein the flexible display is provided with an edge protector attached at least partially to the edge portions of the flexible display.