Flexible Display Link Members for Stable Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining a stable folding and unfolding mechanism, as existing designs often result in excessive bending or damage to the flexible panel when folded, and incomplete flattening when unfolded, due to insufficient margin and structural support.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device with a housing structure featuring link members that connect the first and second supports, allowing for scissor-like folding and unfolding, and a locking mechanism using magnets or elastic hooks to maintain stability, ensuring a smooth semicircular folding and flat unfolding of the flexible panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hinge structure is used to connect supports, then device complexity is reduced, but the flexible panel suffers excessive bending and damage when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The single hinge connection is segmented into multiple link members (first link member and second link member) connected in series. This segmentation distributes the bending stress across multiple joints rather than concentrating it at one hinge point, reducing damage to the flexible panel while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The link members are designed with rounded edge portions at their ends that contact the supports. This curvature design allows for smoother bending transitions and reduces stress concentration at sharp corners, preventing damage to the flexible panel during folding operations
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supports are rigidly connected, then structural stability is improved, but the flexible panel cannot flatten completely when unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between supports is made dynamic through rotatable link members instead of rigid fixed connections. This allows the structure to adapt its configuration - providing stability when folded and enabling complete flattening when unfolded - by dynamically adjusting the relative positions of the supports
3Strength
If the flexible panel is fully fixed to both supports, then structural support is improved, but the panel cannot achieve smooth folding without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible panel is selectively fixed only at specific locations (end portions) to the supports rather than being fully constrained across its entire surface. This local fixation provides sufficient structural support at critical points while leaving other areas free to bend smoothly, preventing damage during folding operations
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
The solution provides a stable and damage-free folding mechanism, maintaining the flexible panel in a smooth semicircular shape when folded and ensuring a clear, flat display when unfolded, enhancing portability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet that is installed on the first support and the second support to couple the first support and the second support with each other by using a magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible display device includes a housing including a first support and a second support, the first support and the second support being coupled with each other so as to be folded and unfolded by a folding device, and a flexible panel coupled with the housing. The folding device includes a plurality of link members for rotatably connecting the first support and the second support to each other.