Flexible Display Planar Support via Pivoting Cover and Sliding Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible display panels in electronic reading devices face damage due to lack of proper planar support when expanded, as existing folding mechanisms do not adequately support the panel, leading to pressure stress.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a main body with a pivotally connected cover portion and body portion, forming a containing space for the flexible display panel, which includes a first and second display section, where the first section is fixed to the cover and the second section is slidably disposed on the body, providing full planar support when expanded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional folding mechanism is used to reduce folded volume, then the device becomes more portable, but the flexible display panel cannot be fully supported when expanded horizontally, causing damage due to press stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic support structures including a support plate that can rotate between a first position (when device is folded) and a second position (when device is expanded), and a support rod that extends to provide support only when needed. This dynamic adjustment allows the mechanism to adapt its support level based on the device's state, providing full planar support during horizontal expansion while maintaining compact folded volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent components: a support plate connected to the cover portion, a support rod that can extend and retract, and a connecting portion with pivotal connections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the support rod providing targeted support to the flexible display panel at the folding location without interfering with the overall folding mechanism.
2Reliability
If the flexible display panel is made fully supported when expanded, then damage from press stress is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the flexibility of the flexible display panel itself as part of the support system. The panel can bend and conform to the support structures provided by the support plate and support rod, eliminating the need for rigid, complex support frameworks. This approach provides adequate support while maintaining device simplicity by leveraging the inherent properties of the flexible display panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary component between the cover portion and the flexible display panel, and the support rod serves as a mediator that transfers support force to the panel at critical locations. These intermediary elements provide the necessary support function without requiring direct complex connections between the main body components, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a main body and a flexible display panel. The main body includes a body portion, a connecting portion, and a cover portion. The connecting portion is pivotally connected to the body portion. The cover portion is pivotally connected to the connecting portion so as to be capable of rotating relative to the body portion. The cover portion, the body portion, and the connecting portion form a containing space cooperatively. The flexible display panel is disposed in the containing space in a curved manner. The flexible display panel includes a first display section and a second display section. The first display section is fixed to the cover portion. The second display section is slidably disposed on the body portion.