Retractable Display Cleaning Unit for Flexible Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible displays in electronic devices are prone to damage from contamination such as particles and liquids due to their fragile nature, with existing technologies lacking effective cleaning solutions specific to these devices.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a cleaning unit within the device, featuring a displaceable bar, brush, or cloth that contacts the display surface to remove contaminants, often guided by edge members and supported by elastic materials or magnets, and optionally utilizing vibrators or air streams for effective cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display is made retractable to improve portability, then the device becomes more compact and versatile, but the display surface becomes vulnerable to contamination damage during retraction and extension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretractable display functionalityVSAvoidcontamination damage to display

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit performs preliminary cleaning action before the display is retracted into the housing. The displaceable bar with cleaning material (cloth or brush) contacts the display surface and removes particles and contaminants before the display enters the housing, preventing contamination damage during the retraction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A displaceable bar serving as an intermediary cleaning element is introduced between the display surface and the housing interior. This bar, covered with cleaning material, acts as a mediator that removes contaminants from the display surface before retraction, protecting the fragile display from direct contact with potentially contaminated housing interior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If manual cleaning methods are used for the display surface, then cleaning can be performed, but the cleaning process is time-consuming and may cause damage to the fragile display layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cleaning methodVSAvoiddisplay durability during cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit enables the display to clean itself automatically through the displaceable bar mechanism. When the user operates the cleaning unit (e.g., by pressing a button or sliding a switch), the displaceable bar is actuated to contact and clean the display surface, eliminating the need for external manual cleaning while protecting the display from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning unit uses a displaceable bar covered with replaceable cleaning material (cloth or brush). This consumable cleaning element can be easily replaced when worn or contaminated, providing an inexpensive and effective solution that protects the expensive, fragile display from damage during cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the cleaning unit contacts the display surface to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but there is a risk of indenting or damaging the fragile display layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidindentation damage to display

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit uses a displaceable bar covered with a flexible cleaning material such as cloth or soft brush. This flexible covering conforms to the display surface and gently removes contaminants without applying concentrated pressure that could indent or damage the fragile display layers, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while protecting the display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The displaceable bar is covered with a cushioning material (cloth or soft brush) that distributes cleaning pressure evenly across the display surface. This beforehand cushioning prevents localized high pressure that could cause indentation, while still effectively removing particles and contaminants from the display surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2573747B1Electronic device with a cleaning unit for a flexible display

Publication Date: 2015.07.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2

AI summary

An electronic device is disclosed comprising a housing (1) and a retractable display (3) conceived to be alternated between an at least partially extended state and a retracted state, the device comprising a displaceable bar (6) integrated in the housing and being arranged for removing contamination from at least a front surface of the display. The flexible display (3) can be retracted by sliding the side members (4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c) into the housing using, for example, a grip (7). Preferably, in the electronic device (10) the display is provided with edge members (8a, 8b) for guiding the bar (6).