Flexible Display Cover with Hinged Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in secure attachment to protective accessories, protection during transportation, and limited functionality due to thin designs, which hinder their usability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A seamless flexible display electronic device with a cover that securely attaches and allows easy orientation adjustment without external mechanical adjustments, incorporating I/O ports, memory, and speakers, and expanding display size approximately two times when open, ensuring protection and enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If portable electronic devices are made thin to improve portability, then weight and size are reduced, but functionality and durability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoiddevice functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple sections (first section with flexible display, second section with cover) connected by a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a thin profile when closed while providing expanded functionality when opened, resolving the contradiction between thin design and functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional thin slab to a three-dimensional expandable structure. When closed, the device is compact and thin; when opened, it expands in the third dimension to provide additional functionality including I/O ports, memory, speakers, and a larger display area, thus resolving the contradiction between thinness and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If portable electronic devices are made thin to improve portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but protection during transportation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of carryingVSAvoiddamage risk during transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display is nested within the cover structure, with the cover acting as a protective outer shell. When closed, the display is fully enclosed and protected from external damage while maintaining a compact, portable form factor. This nesting arrangement resolves the contradiction between ease of carrying and protection during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a flexible display that can bend and conform within the cover structure, allowing the device to be folded into a compact, protected state for portability while maintaining display functionality. The flexible nature of the display enables it to withstand the protective enclosure without damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard I/O ports and components are included in thin devices, then functionality is improved, but device thickness and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveI/O functionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static thin form factor to a dynamic expandable structure. When closed, it maintains a simple, thin profile; when opened, it dynamically reveals additional I/O ports, memory, speakers, and expanded display functionality. This dynamic transformation allows standard components to be included without permanently increasing device thickness or structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3100130B1Electronic device with flexible display
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3100130B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3100130B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3100130B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electronic device is provided in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The electronic device includes a cover and a flexible display. The cover includes a first section, a second section connected to the first section by a first connection mechanism, and a third section connected to the second section by a second connection mechanism. The flexible display is attached to at least a portion of the first section and a portion of the third section. The flexible display is positioned in a first orientation when the first and the third sections are in a plane and in a second orientation when the sections are in different planes.