Flexible Display Panel Retraction for Always-On Screen Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face challenges in providing an always-on-display mode, require additional mounting space, and are prone to damage due to increased volume and external exposure, failing to meet user demands for larger screens and efficient space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device with a module housing, guide rails, a moving plate, and a driving member that allows switching between always-on and normal display modes, minimizing external exposure and reducing damage risk by using a space-efficient design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display device volume is increased to provide a larger screen, then the screen size is improved, but the risk of damage due to external impact increases and the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidrisk of damage due to external impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is designed to be movable between a retracted position (stored in the housing) and an extended position (exposed for display). This dynamic configuration allows the screen to be large when needed for display while being protected when retracted, resolving the contradiction between screen size and damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible display panel is nested within the housing structure when not in use, with the panel stored in a compact form inside the housing cavity. This nesting approach allows a large-screen display to be housed in a compact form factor, reducing both damage risk and installation space requirements while maintaining large screen capability when deployed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an always-on-display device is added in addition to a general display device to provide always-on-display mode, then the always-on-display function is improved, but the device complexity and mounting space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealways-on-display functionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display panel serves multiple functions: it can be extended to provide a full-size display for normal viewing and retracted to provide an always-on-display mode showing only essential information. This single component performs both display modes, eliminating the need for separate always-on-display and general display devices, thereby reducing device complexity and mounting space requirements while maintaining functional versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4012488B1Flexible display device
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4012488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012488B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012488B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a flexible display device comprising: a module housing (110) including a curved portion (113) configured to be disposed at a connecting portion connecting a horizontal portion (101) and a vertical portion (103) of a main housing, a flat portion (111) configured to be disposed at the horizontal portion (101) and connected to the curved portion (113), and guide rails (120) disposed at opposite sides of the flat portion (111) and the curved portion (113), wherein end portions of the guide rails (120) are extended below the curved portion (113) to provide a space (115) under the curved portion (113); a flexible display panel (130) disposed at a rear surface of the curved portion (113) and partially exposed to the space (115); a moving plate (170) including a front surface to which the flexible display panel (130) is coupled, wherein the moving plate (170) is moved along the guide rails (120) with the flexible display panel (130); and a driving member coupled to the module housing (110) and moving the moving plate (170).