Flexible Display Support for Critical-Radius Storage Curvature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible displays, particularly in rollable designs, suffer from unsupported segments that deviate from the ideal circular shape during closure, leading to localized radii smaller than the critical value (Rcrit), causing buckling or cracking and reducing the display's lifetime.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of additional display supports that constrain the display segments to maintain a curvature radius greater than the critical value (Rcrit) by using various structural configurations, such as bridges, extra layers, or interlinked segments, ensuring uniform curvature across the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the display is made thin and flexible to enable rollable design, then the display can be repeatedly bent with small radius and stored in compact form, but unsupported segments deviate from ideal circular shape causing localized radius to fall below critical value leading to buckling and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
A support layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the display and the housing. This support layer has a curved surface that matches the ideal circular curvature radius, providing mechanical support to the display segment in the hinge area where it would otherwise be unsupported and prone to buckling or cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The support layer is specifically positioned in the hinge area where the display segment is most vulnerable to deformation. By providing localized support only where needed (in the curved storage position rather than during normal display operation), the invention maintains display reliability without affecting the overall flexibility and rollable functionality.
2Reliability
If additional support structures are added to maintain curvature radius, then display reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support layer is integrated with the housing structure, merging two functions into a single component. The housing both encloses the display and provides the curved support surface through the integrated support layer, eliminating the need for separate support mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support layer is implemented as a thin film or layer rather than a bulky rigid structure. This thin film can be easily integrated into the housing and provides the necessary curved support surface without adding significant complexity or volume to the device.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3~4b
Figure 4c~5
AI summary
A display system comprises a continuous flexible display, two main display supports each structurally configured to support a respective portion of the flexible display, a segment of the flexible display being located between the said respective display portions. The two main display supports are hingeable between a closed configuration for fixing the flexible display in a storage position and an open configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position. In the storage position of the flexible display between the main display supports there is a free space enabling a partial curvature of said display segment without conflicting with the respective main display support. At least one additional display support is configured to support said segment of the flexible display in the storage position of the flexible display and facilitates the curvature of the display segment with a predefined radius which is larger than the critical radius Rcrit for the flexible display.