Flexible Display Panel Elastic Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display panels using hinges or rigid shafts for folding or curling face manufacturing difficulties and high costs, along with mechanical reliability issues due to potential damage from foreign objects and drops.
Innovation Solution
A display device featuring a flexible display panel supported by an elastic member with protrusion and groove portions, and movable members, along with a guide assembly that allows the panel to be rolled up or stretched out, utilizing elastic deformation for shape changes, reducing processing complexity and enhancing mechanical reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge or rigid shaft is used to realize folding or curling of the flexible display panel, then the panel can be folded or curled, but the manufacturing technology becomes relatively difficult and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hinge or rigid shaft system with an elastic member that utilizes elastic deformation to achieve folding and curling. The elastic member includes a flexible support structure that can bend and deform elastically, eliminating the need for complex mechanical joints and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the folding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the support structure from rigid to elastic. By selecting materials and designs that exhibit elastic deformation characteristics, the system transitions from a rigid mechanical connection to a flexible elastic structure, enabling folding without complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical hinge is used, then the panel can be folded, but the hinge may be damaged due to foreign objects entering and due to dropping, resulting in insufficient mechanical reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinge system with an elastic member that has no moving parts, gaps, or joints where foreign objects could enter. The elastic structure provides a sealed, continuous design that eliminates vulnerability to contamination and mechanical failure from external factors, significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member inherently provides cushioning and shock absorption capabilities through its elastic properties. When the device is dropped or subjected to external impacts, the elastic structure absorbs the shock through deformation, protecting the display panel and internal components from damage without requiring separate cushioning mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge or rigid shaft is used, then the folding function is achieved, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical hinge system with a simple elastic member that achieves folding through elastic deformation. This substitution dramatically simplifies the overall structure by eliminating multiple mechanical components, joints, and fasteners, resulting in a more integrated and simpler design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support structure and folding mechanism into a single integrated elastic member. Instead of having separate support components and folding joints, the elastic member simultaneously provides structural support and folding functionality, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances mechanical reliability by using a whole-surface elastic structure that is less prone to damage, while allowing for effective stretching and rolling of the display panel.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing elastic deformation for shape changes
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a display device that includes a flexible display panel and a panel support device. The panel can be rolled up or stretched out along a first direction, and the support device includes an elastic member and movable members. The elastic member includes protrusion portions and groove portions alternately arranged along the first direction, the protrusion portion is fixed on a back surface of the panel, the groove portion and the back surface forms a strip-shaped cavity, and the width of the groove portion in an initial state gradually decreases along a direction approaching the panel. The movable members respectively and movably arranged in the cavities. When the movable member moves in the cavity, towards a side of the cavity close to the panel, the movable member supports and separates ends of two side walls of the groove portion close to the panel more apart.