Rollable Display Lift Assembly With Angle Sensing for Stable Unwinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with flexible OLEDs face challenges in reliably and accurately unwinding from rollers, which affects their usability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A display device design incorporating a lift assembly with a roller rotation mechanism and an angle sensor module, allowing for precise control of the flexible display's height and position, enabling reliable unwinding and rolling around a roller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a flexible display is rolled around a roller, then the display device can be made compact and portable, but the height sensing accuracy deteriorates due to instability during rolling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay device compactnessVSAvoidheight sensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an upper assembly as an intermediary component between the flexible display and the roller. This upper assembly includes arms with sensors that indirectly measure the display height, providing stable measurement data even when the display is being rolled or unrolled, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical height measurement with an optical sensing system. Sensors mounted on the pivotable arms detect position information optically, converting mechanical movement into measurable signals that provide accurate height data during dynamic rolling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If sensors are directly mounted on the flexible display, then height detection is straightforward, but sensing reliability deteriorates under external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight detection simplicityVSAvoidsensing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensing system into separate components: the upper assembly with pivotable arms and sensors is separated from the flexible display. This segmentation allows the sensing mechanism to remain stable and isolated from external forces applied to the display, while still accurately measuring display height through geometric relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the flexible display is allowed to move freely, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates during rolling and unrolling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay flexibilityVSAvoidrolling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a biasing member that applies a counteracting force to the upper assembly during rolling operations. This biasing force stabilizes the arms and sensors, preventing excessive movement or instability while allowing the flexible display to move freely for ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures high accuracy and reliability in unwinding and rolling the flexible display, enhancing its usability and stability, and allows for precise height control.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor configured to detect an angle of the second arm based on a rotation of the driven gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a first magnetic member configured to magnetically engage the biasing member with the upper assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic engagement: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3694009B1Display device
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3694009B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3694009B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3694009B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes: a housing; a roller rotatably disposed on the housing; a flexible display that is rolled around the roller or unrolled from the roller; a first arm connected to the flexible display; an arm supporter provided in the housing; an arm shaft rotatably supported to the arm supporter; a second arm coupled to the arm shaft and rotated together with the arm shaft to rotate the first arm; a rotation mechanism connected to the second arm to rotate the second arm about the arm shaft; and an angle sensor module connected to at least one of the arm shaft and the second arm.