Flexible Display Fold Design for Portable Device Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in optimizing limited space for user input and output, as they require larger display areas while maintaining portability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexible display with a fold design where the non-display area is non-coplanar with the display area, allowing information to be displayed near the fold, thereby reducing the visible non-display area and increasing the available display space by folding the non-display area out of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the display area is enlarged to improve user input and output capabilities, then the device size increases, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple display panels that can be independently positioned. The first display panel is positioned in a first location while the second display panel is positioned in a second location, allowing the display area to be segmented across different spatial regions rather than requiring a single large continuous area.
Solution Approach 2:
The display utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning display panels at different locations and orientations. The display area extends in multiple spatial dimensions rather than being confined to a single plane, effectively increasing the usable display area without proportionally increasing the device's footprint.
2Area of moving object
If the non-display area is reduced to increase display space, then the fold structure becomes more complex, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-display area is extracted and repositioned to form a fold structure that extends from the display panel. This folded non-display area is positioned adjacent to the display area, separating the functional display region from the structural support region and allowing for simplified manufacturing of the display panel itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold structure is nested within the overall device housing, with the folded non-display area positioned within the housing boundaries. This nesting allows the complex fold structure to be contained within the device footprint without adding external complexity or requiring additional external components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a first flexible display. The first flexible display includes a display area, a non-display area, and a first fold such that at least part of the non-display area is non-coplanar with the display area. Information is displayable near the first fold.