Flexible Rigid Composite Cover for Slim Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses face challenges in achieving both rigidity and flexibility with a single material, leading to increased thickness when multiple covers with different characteristics are stacked, making it difficult to create a slim display device.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a cover that integrates both flexible and rigid members in the same layer, where the flexible member includes foam material and the rigid member is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or rigid plastic, with a cavity design optimized using topology optimization to maximize natural frequency and maintain a slim profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single material is used for the cover, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the cover cannot have both rigidity and flexibility simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple functional layers: a flexible base layer and a rigid patterned layer. Each layer performs a specific function - the flexible layer provides shock absorption and flexibility, while the rigid layer provides structural support and rigidity. This segmentation allows the cover to exhibit both flexibility and rigidity simultaneously without requiring a single complex material.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover employs a composite structure combining flexible material (such as rubber or polymer) and rigid material (such as metal or hard plastic) in a multi-layer configuration. This composite approach enables the cover to display both flexible and rigid characteristics, resolving the contradiction between needing adaptability and ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If multiple covers with different characteristics are stacked to achieve both rigidity and flexibility, then the cover provides comprehensive protection, but the total thickness of the display apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional covers are merged into a single integrated cover structure with multiple layers. The flexible base layer and rigid patterned layer are combined in one component, eliminating the need for separate stacked covers. This merging maintains comprehensive protection functionality while reducing the overall thickness of the display apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stacking covers in the thickness direction (one dimension), the solution transitions to a multi-layer structure within a single cover component, utilizing area distribution and pattern design in the planar dimension. The rigid portions are strategically positioned in specific areas rather than requiring full thickness accumulation, thereby maintaining protection while controlling overall thickness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rigid member occupies a large area, then the natural frequency is enhanced, but the flexibility and shock absorption capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid member is designed with non-uniform distribution and specific geometric patterns (such as grids, meshes, or cellular structures) rather than a solid uniform structure. This local quality approach places rigidity only where needed for natural frequency enhancement while maintaining flexibility in other areas for shock absorption, optimizing both contradictory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid member employs a porous or cellular internal structure with patterns such as honeycomb, grid, or mesh configurations. This porous design reduces the overall rigidity slightly while maintaining structural integrity and natural frequency,同时 preserving flexibility and shock absorption capabilities by allowing controlled deformation through the porous structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a display panel which displays an image; and a cover on a first surface of the display panel. The cover includes a flexible member, and a rigid member which has less flexibility than the flexible member, the flexible member and the rigid member respectively being portions of a same layer on the first surface of the display panel. One member among the flexible member and the rigid member defines a cavity therein, and the other member among the flexible member and the rigid member is disposed in the cavity.