Foldable Electro-Optic Display With Bending Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible electro-optic displays face issues with breakage when folded due to excessive curvature, resulting in thick and heavy devices with complex mechanical hinge mechanisms, and often fail to maintain flatness after repeated openings and closings, leading to a poor reading experience.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electro-optic display apparatus with a bending mechanism featuring two parallel axes of rotation, a fixed and unfixed region, and a rotation synchronizer to prevent excessive bending, ensuring the display remains flat and stable in both open and closed states, and includes a digitization layer for touch sensing and stylus tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the display is folded in a book-like fashion without support mechanisms, then the device is thin and lightweight, but the display breaks due to excessive curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible support member with a structure that includes a first portion and a second portion connected by a bending portion. This flexible support member provides structural support while allowing controlled bending, preventing display breakage during folding without adding significant weight. The flexible support member acts as a thin film structure that maintains display integrity during book-like folding operations.
2Reliability
If mechanical hinge mechanisms are added to prevent display breakage, then the display can be folded safely, but the device becomes thick and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical hinge mechanisms with a flexible support member that has inherent bending capabilities. This flexible support member includes a bending portion that allows controlled folding without requiring additional heavy mechanical components. The flexible support member maintains display protection while keeping the device thin and lightweight.
3Length of moving object
If the flexible display is allowed to float freely, then the device remains thin, but the display does not flatten fully and may move during reading
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support member is configured to support the flexible display in a flattened position when opened. The first portion and second portion of the flexible support member work together to maintain display stability and flatness during reading, while the overall structure remains thin. The flexible support member prevents excessive movement while preserving the thin profile of the device.
4Ease of operation
If the display is folded repeatedly, then portability is improved, but the fold area becomes wrinkly and difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support member is designed to control the folding behavior of the flexible display. By providing structured support through the first portion, second portion, and bending portion, it guides the folding process to prevent wrinkling in the fold area. This maintains surface flatness and readability even after repeated folding operations, while preserving portability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optic display that is flexible and may be folded in a book-like fashion. The display apparatus may include a flexible display and a bending mechanism for accommodating the flexible display in a closed state. Portions of the flexible electro-optic display can be coupled to regions of the planar support members so that when the display is in an open state, the display lays flat and smooth. In advanced embodiments, the electro-optic display may include touch sensing or a digitizing layer to record interactions with a stylus.