Flexible Display Tension Mechanism for Twist-Free Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display devices that deform as two bodies slide relative to each other often experience issues with non-uniform tension, leading to partial twisting or loosening, and may not fully recover their original shape due to plastic deformation or springback, affecting their stability and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display device with a mechanism that maintains constant tension by using a first and second rack, first and second gear, and a driving motor to control the movement of the flexible display, ensuring the surface area changes uniformly, and applying predetermined tension when the display is deformed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the flexible display is deformed as two bodies slide relative to each other, then the surface area of the flexible display that forms a single plane surface is increased and reduced, but non-uniform tension is applied to the flexible display causing partial twisting or loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface area of flexible displayVSAvoiduniformity of tension distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A tension application mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the sliding bodies and the flexible display. This mechanism includes a reel that winds and unwinds the flexible display, and a tension spring that applies predetermined tension to the flexible display during deformation. The intermediary mechanism ensures uniform tension distribution while the surface area changes, preventing twisting and loosening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension application mechanism changes the tension parameter of the flexible display from non-uniform to uniform by using a tension spring with predetermined tension characteristics. The mechanism controls the tension force to remain constant or follow a predetermined pattern during the deformation process, transforming the tension distribution parameter to achieve stable deformation without twisting or loosening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the flexible display is kept in a U-shape for a relatively long time, then the device structure is stable, but when deformed again the middle portion may not be fully spread out due to plastic deformation, springback, and elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of U-shape configurationVSAvoidrepeatability of deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tension application mechanism applies predetermined tension in advance during the deformation process to counteract plastic deformation and springback effects. By maintaining appropriate tension levels before and during deformation, the mechanism ensures that the flexible display returns to its original shape completely, preventing residual deformation that would occur after prolonged storage in a U-shape configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tension application mechanism incorporates feedback control to monitor and adjust the tension applied to the flexible display during deformation. This ensures that sufficient tension is maintained to overcome elastic recovery and plastic deformation effects, allowing the display to be fully spread out again after being kept in a U-shape for extended periods, thereby improving deformation repeatability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4033327B1Flexible display device
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4033327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033327B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4033327B1 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, a first rack, a second rack, a first gear, and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear rotate in conjunction with each other. The flexible display is divided into a first region and a second region, and the second rack forms a continuous loop together with the second region of the flexible display. Accordingly, when the second body slides with respect to the first body, tension can be stably applied to the flexible display, and the flexible display is prevented from being loosened.