Flexible Display Multi-Bar Rail Stops to Prevent Bar Escape
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In slidable electronic devices with a flexible display, the multi-bar structure attached to the rear surface of the display can be bent or separated from the rail frame due to repulsive forces, leading to bars escaping off the rail frame during extension or reduction of the screen size.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of stop portions on opposite ends of the bars in a multi-bar structure that engage with the guide rail of the rail frame, preventing the bars from detaching during the extension or reduction of the flexible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display is integrated into a portable electronic device, then the device can provide flexible form factors and novel user experiences, but the display becomes susceptible to damage from bending, folding, and external impact
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning structure is provided between the flexible display and the external environment to protect the display from damage. The cushioning structure includes a foam layer and a gel layer that absorb impact forces before they reach the display, preventing damage from bending, folding, and external impact while allowing the display to maintain its flexible form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure utilizes flexible materials including a flexible protective plate with curved surface, foam layer, and gel layer that can deform with the flexible display during bending and folding operations. This flexible protective arrangement maintains the adaptability of the display while providing necessary protection.
2Reliability
If a protective structure is added around the flexible display, then the display is protected from damage, but the overall device size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is designed with a nested arrangement where the flexible protective plate, foam layer, and gel layer are stacked in multiple layers within a compact space. The curved surface of the flexible protective plate allows it to nest efficiently within the device boundaries, providing comprehensive protection without significantly increasing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible protective plate features a curved surface that utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to provide protection. The curved geometry allows the protective structure to accommodate impact forces from multiple directions while maintaining a compact footprint, effectively using dimensional optimization to minimize volume increase.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electronic device according to one embodiment may comprise a flexible display, a multi-bar structure including a plurality of bars spaced apart from each other on a rear surface of the flexible display, and first and second rail frames coupled to two opposite sides of the multi-bar structure. At least one of the plurality of bars may include a supporting member including a stop portion to be engaged by a force of detaching from the first and second rail frames. The first and second rail frames may include a guide rail into which the supporting member is inserted to guide the multi-bar structure to move. The guide rail may include a stop jaw provided to allow the stop portion to be engaged.