Foldable Display Bellows Sliding Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable display apparatuses lack the ability to seamlessly adjust the size of the display screen in response to user needs, particularly between mobile and desktop environments, while maintaining durability and uniform screen visibility.

Innovation Solution

A foldable display apparatus design that incorporates a slidable mechanism allowing the display panel to be rolled and unfolded, supported by a bellows structure and a free-stop sliding scheme, enabling equal and uniform enlargement or reduction of the display area on both sides of the sliding axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display panel is made foldable and slidable to adjust screen size, then adaptability between mobile and desktop environments is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional support structures and sliding mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display apparatus is divided into modular components: a display panel, a cover window, a bottom plate, and a bellows structure. The bellows is segmented into multiple folds that allow progressive expansion and contraction, enabling the display to transition between compact mobile form and expanded desktop form while managing structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display apparatus incorporates dynamic elements including a slidable display panel that can move along the bottom plate and a bellows structure that dynamically expands and contracts. These dynamic components allow the device to adapt its form factor in real-time, transitioning between mobile and desktop configurations without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the display panel is rolled into a compact form for mobile use, then portability and gripability are improved, but screen visibility and display area are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovegripabilityVSAvoidscreen visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display apparatus utilizes three-dimensional space by rolling the display panel into a compact cylindrical form for mobile carrying, then unrolling it to expand the display area in a desk-oriented configuration. This dimensional transformation allows the same physical structure to provide both compact portability and large screen visibility depending on the operational context

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a sliding mechanism is added to enable display area adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to additional moving parts that could fail

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure is designed to be self-supporting through its inherent elastic properties, eliminating the need for complex active mechanisms to maintain the display panel's position. The bellows automatically maintains structural integrity and support during expansion and contraction cycles, reducing reliability concerns associated with motorized or actuated sliding mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows is constructed as a flexible, corrugated structure that provides mechanical support through its geometric configuration rather than rigid components. This flexible design allows the display panel to be supported during sliding operations while maintaining structural strength and reducing wear on moving parts, thereby improving long-term reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Manufacturing precision

If the display panel slides uniformly on both sides of the sliding axis, then manufacturing precision and uniform screen display are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise sliding guidance mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform screen displayVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure exhibits asymmetric geometry with folds of varying dimensions that create uniform expansion and contraction patterns. The asymmetric fold design ensures that when the bellows expands or contracts, the display panel moves uniformly along the sliding axis, achieving precise and uniform screen display without requiring complex active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12225673B2Foldable display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.02.11 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US12225673B2 patent drawing
  • US12225673B2 patent drawing
  • US12225673B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A foldable display apparatus includes a display panel having a light-emitting element disposed thereon, a cover window disposed on top of the display panel, a bottom plate disposed beneath the display panel, a bellows for supporting at least a portion of the bottom plate, a first support coupled with one end of the bellows, and an edge coupled with the other end of the bellows.