Rollable Display Panel Vibration for Sound Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rollable display apparatuses face challenges in maintaining sound quality due to sound interference from walls and ground, leading to degraded sound output and reduced viewer immersion.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with a vibration device that includes a vibration generator capable of moving in X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions to maintain contact with the display panel, ensuring effective sound output to the forward region by vibrating the panel when unwound from a roller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound is output from a sound device in a rollable display apparatus, then sound can be provided to viewers, but sound quality is degraded due to interference from walls and ground reflections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound interferenceVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration device is extracted from the traditional sound device and integrated into the display panel structure. The display panel itself serves as the vibration element, eliminating the need for separate sound output devices that are susceptible to environmental interference from walls and ground reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel is given dual functionality: it serves both as the visual display surface and as the sound output device. By making the display panel itself capable of vibration, it performs both display and audio functions, removing the dependency on external sound devices affected by environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a vibration device is integrated into the rolling module structure, then the display panel can be vibrated when unwound, but the vibration generator must maintain contact with the curved contact surface of the panel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact maintenanceVSAvoidvibration device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration generator is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move and adapt to the curved contact surface of the display panel when unwound. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous contact between the vibration generator and the panel surface, maintaining effective vibration transmission despite the changing geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration generator is integrated within the rolling module structure, with the vibration device nested within the mechanical framework. This nesting allows the vibration generator to be positioned within the existing structural constraints while still maintaining contact with the display panel through the link connection part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Shape

If the display panel is wound like a roll for flexibility, then portable electronic devices can achieve thinner profiles, but sound output quality is reduced due to rearward and downward sound travel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible form factorVSAvoidsound interference from environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sound output function is extracted from external sound devices and integrated directly into the display panel. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of sound traveling rearward and downward to interact with environmental surfaces like walls and ground, as the vibration occurs at the front surface of the panel where viewers are positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel itself acts as an intermediary between the vibration generator and the external environment. By using the panel as the vibration element, sound is transmitted directly through the panel material to the viewers, avoiding the need for sound to travel through air to rearward and downward directions where environmental interference occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances sound accuracy and immersion by ensuring the vibration device can adapt to the curved shape of the display panel, maintaining effective contact and outputting sound to the viewer in a forward region.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration device at the at least one structure configured to vibrate the display panel when unwound from the roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibration generator that contacts a contact surface of the display panel and is configured to move to maintain the contact with the contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical motion:

Data Source

PatentEP4043995A1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4043995A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4043995A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4043995A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image, a roller on which the display panel is wound or unwound the display panel, a rolling module including at least one structure connected to an upper portion of the display panel and configured to wind and/or unwind the display panel, and a vibration device at the at least one structure configured to vibrate the display panel when unwound from the roller, wherein the vibration device includes a vibration generator that contacts a contact surface of the display panel (100) and is configured to move to maintain the contact with the contact surface.