Flexible Display Panel for Smart Watch with Bent and Flattened States
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart watches have small screen sizes, limiting their display content and user experience, especially when performing tasks like email transmission and webpage browsing.
Innovation Solution
A smart watch design featuring a flexible OLED display panel that can switch between a bent and flattened state, allowing for a larger display area when needed, with a watch strap and engaging members for secure attachment, and a rechargeable battery integrated within the strap for power and signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a small screen is used in smart watch, then the device is compact and easy to wear, but the display content is limited and user experience is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is designed to be flexible and changeable between bent and flattened states. When bent, it conforms to the wrist for compact wear; when flattened, it expands to provide a larger display area for better user experience during tasks like email and browsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical shape parameter of the display panel is changed between bent and flattened states to achieve different display areas. This parameter change allows the same device to serve both compact wear and expanded display needs.
2Area of moving object
If a flexible display panel is added to increase display area, then user experience is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible display panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and a structural component that can be bent or flattened based on usage needs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms to achieve display area changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel itself becomes the dynamic element that adapts its shape based on usage requirements, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures to expand or contract the display area.
3Area of moving object
If the display panel is made flexible to change shape, then display area can be adjusted, but the reliability of the display may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is constructed using flexible materials and thin film structures that allow bending and shape changes while maintaining structural integrity and display functionality. This flexible shell approach ensures reliability during repeated flexing and unfolding cycles.
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
Enhances user experience by providing a larger display when required, improving interaction capabilities while maintaining a compact form for easy wear, and reducing power consumption through sensor-controlled display areas.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible display panel has an elasticity to return to the flattened state after bending. When the engagement between the flexible display panel and the watch strap is released, the flexible display panel is returned from the bent state to the flattened state under its own elasticity.
Implementation Method 2
The first engaging member and the second engaging member are magnetic members. When the flexible display panel is in the bent state, the flexible display panel is attracted to the watch strap.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart watch includes a watch strap and a flexible display panel. The first end of the flexible display panel is attached to the watch strap, and the second end of the flexible display panel is a free end. The flexible display panel has a bent state and a flattened state. When the flexible display panel is in the bent state, the flexible display panel and the watch strap are bent together and the flexible display panel is located on and in contact with an outer surface of the watch strap. When the flexible display panel is in the flattened state, the second end of the flexible display panel is out of contact with the outer surface of the watch strap and the flexible display panel is flattened in the same plane.