Flexible User Interface Device with Discontinuous Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible or hinged user interface devices face challenges in maintaining functionality and durability across bend regions due to structural limitations, which affect their usability and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A user interface device comprising a plurality of layers with a flexible overlay across the bend region, where at least one layer is discontinuous, allowing for a continuous display and touch-sensitive surface while enabling bending, using a laminar structure with specific pixel arrangements and electrical connections to facilitate flexibility and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a continuous rigid layer structure is used in a user interface device, then structural strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and ability to bend are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid layer is divided into multiple discrete pixels rather than forming a continuous structure. This segmentation allows the layer to bend while maintaining structural integrity at each pixel level, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible substrate as the base layer upon which rigid pixel structures are formed. This flexible substrate enables the overall device to bend while the discrete pixel structures maintain their rigidity and functionality, addressing both strength and flexibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If discrete pixel structures are used across the bend region, then flexibility and bendability are improved, but display continuity and visual quality are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebendabilityVSAvoiddisplay continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions: discrete pixel structures are used specifically in the bend region to enable flexibility, while continuous layer structures are used in non-bend regions to maintain display quality and continuity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between bendability and display continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If layers are made discontinuous across the bend region, then flexibility is improved, but structural stability and reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate acts as a continuous underlying structure that provides structural stability while allowing bending. The rigid pixel layers are deposited on this flexible base, combining the stability of rigid materials with the flexibility of the substrate, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2981870B1An apparatus comprising user interface device

Publication Date: 2020.05.06 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

An apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers configured to provide a user interface device; and a flexible layer overlaying the plurality of layers; wherein the flexible layer is continuous across a bend region and at least one of the plurality of layers is discontinuous across the bend region.