Flexible Display Device Segmentation for Stable Touch Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices with sliding or folding mechanisms suffer from user distraction and difficulty in performing touch inputs when the screen is extended, as the image and touch sensor movement disrupts the user's concentration and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device design featuring a first and second body with a support, where the flexible display remains stable when one body is held, allowing for continuous image viewing and touch input without relative movement, and includes a filter to prevent foreign matter entry, with covers that overlap to maintain a fixed state and facilitate easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is modified by movement of a sliding member while the user holds the terminal body, then the display area can be changed, but the image moves while being displayed which deteriorates user concentration and recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area changeVSAvoiduser concentration and visual information recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into two separate bodies (first body and second body) that can move relative to each other. The flexible display is positioned such that one end is fixed to the first body while the other end connects to the second body. This segmentation allows the second body to slide relative to the first body, changing the effective display area, while the portion of the display on the first body remains stationary and maintains stable image display for user concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is modified by movement of a sliding member while the user holds the terminal body, then the screen can be extended, but it becomes impossible or very difficult to perform touch input while the flexible display is being modified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen extension capabilityVSAvoidtouch input capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into a stationary first body and a movable second body. The flexible display spans both bodies, allowing the second body to slide and extend the screen while the first body with its integrated touch sensor remains stable. This enables touch input to be performed on the stationary portion of the display during screen extension, maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display is modified by moving two bodies relative to each other, then the display size can be variable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable display sizeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two bodies that move relative to each other along a sliding path. This segmentation provides variable display size capability while keeping each body structurally simple. The flexible display itself handles the complexity of connecting and moving between the two bodies, rather than requiring complex mechanical structures within each body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs dynamic relative movement between the two bodies instead of static fixed structures. The second body can slide along the first body to change display configuration, providing adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms. This dynamic approach simplifies the overall structure compared to static adjustable designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3889732B1Flexible display device
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3889732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889732B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3889732B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A flexible display device is disclosed. The flexible display device includes a first body, a second body, a flexible display, and a first cover. The second body performs reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position relative to the first body. The flexible display includes a first region, a first connected region, and a second connected region. When the second body is at the first position, the first cover covers the second connected region and forms a rear surface of the flexible display device. When switching between the first position and the second position is made, the user may hold the flexible display device in contact with the first region and the first cover.