Flexible Mobile Device Housing with Deformation Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices with larger displays are rendered inflexible by the rigid nature of their cover glass and other display layers, making them uncomfortable to carry in pockets or conform to body contours.
Innovation Solution
A flexible mobile device with a deformable housing and display that can bend in multiple dimensions, equipped with a deformation sensor and controller to manage data input processing based on detected deformation levels, ensuring continued functionality and safety from accidental inputs during bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid cover glass and rigid display layers are used to protect the liquid crystal display, then the display is protected from damage, but the entire mobile device becomes inflexible and uncomfortable to carry in pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing the rigid cover glass with a flexible transparent layer and using flexible display layers that can bend without breaking. The housing is also made flexible to accommodate the bent display, allowing the device to conform to body contours while maintaining display protection through the inherent strength of the flexible materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the display components from rigid to flexible. This involves altering the material parameters of the cover layer and display layers to enable bending while maintaining sufficient strength and durability for normal use conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display is made flexible to allow bending and conforming to body shapes, then portability and comfort are improved, but the device may be susceptible to accidental inputs during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs deformation sensors that continuously monitor the bending state of the flexible display and provide feedback to the controller. When the sensor detects that the display is bent beyond a safe threshold, the controller automatically disables touch input processing, preventing accidental inputs. When the display returns to its normal flat state, input processing is reactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by proactively disabling input processing before accidental inputs can occur. The deformation sensor detects bending conditions in advance and triggers the controller to prevent potential accidental inputs, rather than attempting to correct errors after they occur.
3Area of moving object
If larger-sized displays are used to increase functionality for videos and pictures, then display functionality is improved, but the housing size must be increased reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the display from a traditional flat two-dimensional configuration to a three-dimensional bent configuration. By allowing the display to bend along its surface, the effective viewing area is increased without proportionally increasing the housing dimensions, as the display wraps around or conforms to the housing contours.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device including various components in communication with one another, the mobile device comprising a flexible housing, flexible display device mounted in the housing, a deformation sensor mounted in the housing and a device controller configured to operate the mobile device responsive to receipt of data input from the flexible display device, wherein the device controller automatically deactivates the processing of at least a portion of data input received of the plurality of data input received from the display device responsive to receiving communication from the deformation sensor detecting a threshold level of deformation of the housing.