Retractable Aperture Mechanism for Invertible Display Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld computing devices with touch screens face challenges in physical interaction precision, reduced viewing capacity, and limited portability due to their rigid nature, necessitating a mechanism that supports flexible displays in various folded states without damaging them.
Innovation Solution
A flexible touch-sensitive display with retractable aperture supports that allow the display to fold inward or outward, providing structural support and retracting to avoid damage during folding, with mechanisms like slats and grooves or links to facilitate sliding motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid touch screen display is used to provide structural support, then the display maintains stability and support, but the device loses portability and cannot be folded
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture support mechanism transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic movable structure that can extend and retract. The support moves relative to the display assembly, allowing the system to adapt between providing structural support in expanded state and enabling folding in compact state, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture support is divided into multiple slats that can move independently or in coordination. This segmentation allows the support structure to flex and retract during folding while maintaining structural integrity when expanded, enabling both rigid support and folding capability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the aperture support remains extended during folding, then structural support is maintained, but the flexible display is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture support mechanism begins retracting before the folding action is complete, and continues retracting during the folding process. This preliminary and continuous retraction action ensures the support clears the display assembly before the display bends, preventing damage while maintaining structural support during the transition
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture support is designed to move dynamically in response to folding motion. The support automatically retracts as the device folds and can extend again when unfolded, creating a responsive system that adapts its position to protect the display while maintaining support when needed
3Reliability
If the aperture support retracts during folding, then the flexible display is protected from damage, but structural support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture support undergoes periodic extension and retraction cycles corresponding to the folding and unfolding actions. The support extends when the device is stationary or unfolding to provide structural support, and retracts when folding to protect the display, creating a rhythmic pattern of support and protection that addresses both requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes an aperture that can retract parallel to the respective planes of each flexible display segment structure. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device may also have a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The device may also be folded 360 degrees about a hinge such that it can fold to a compact folded state in one direction with its flexible display segments facing inward towards each other, or to an inverted compact folded state in the opposite direction such that the flexible display segments are facing outward along the device's segment structures. The aperture acts as a central support for the flexible display that can also retract as the device is folded to any state such that the display is not damaged.