Roller Gear Mechanism for Flexible Display Tension Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible display panels in portable devices often wrinkle or buckle when retracted due to weakened tension over time, and traditional spring-rod tensioners increase device weight and volume, compromising portability.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a first and second roller, a gear unit, and a rail unit that engages with the gear unit, allowing the display panel module to be slide-extended and slide-retracted without an additional tensioner, by utilizing a rack and pinion or chain and sprocket mechanism to maintain tension and prevent wrinkling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring-rod type tensioner is used to pull the flexible display panel in the slide-retract direction, then the flexible display panel can be prevented from wrinkling or buckling, but the weight and volume of the display device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of wrinkling or bucklingVSAvoidweight of display device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring-rod type tensioner from the system and replaces it with a tension maintenance mechanism that uses the support film itself and the housing structure to maintain tension during retraction, thereby eliminating the additional weight and volume of the tensioner while still preventing wrinkles and buckles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support film is given multiple functions: it serves as both the backing for the flexible display panel and as the tension maintenance element during retraction. The housing structure also serves dual purposes by providing structural support and guiding the retraction motion, eliminating the need for separate tensioning components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a spring-rod type tensioner is used to pull the flexible display panel in the slide-retract direction, then the flexible display panel can be prevented from wrinkling or buckling, but the volume of the display device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of wrinkling or bucklingVSAvoidvolume of display device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring-rod type tensioner from the system and replaces it with a tension maintenance mechanism that uses the support film itself and the housing structure to maintain tension during retraction, thereby eliminating the additional weight and volume of the tensioner while still preventing wrinkles and buckles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible display panel is rolled into a compact cylindrical form during retraction, with the support film maintaining tension to prevent buckling. The entire assembly nests within the housing, with the roller and gear unit integrated into the housing structure, minimizing the overall volume of the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a spring-rod type tensioner is used to pull the flexible display panel in the slide-retract direction, then tension can be maintained, but the portability of the display device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetension maintenanceVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring-rod type tensioner from the system and replaces it with a tension maintenance mechanism that uses the support film itself and the housing structure to maintain tension during retraction, thereby eliminating the additional weight and volume of the tensioner while still preventing wrinkles and buckles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support film and housing structure serve themselves to maintain tension during retraction without requiring additional active components. The gear unit and roller mechanism automatically maintain proper tension through their mechanical engagement, eliminating the need for separate tensioning devices and improving portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 consistent tension in the slide-retract direction without additional tensioners, maintaining portability and preventing wrinkles or buckles in the flexible display panel, while reducing weight and volume.

Implementation Method 1

The rail unit and the gear unit may be engaged with each other as a rack and pinion type

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRack and pinion: Rack and Pinion

Implementation Method 2

a first roller; a second roller; a display panel module of which one end is fixed to the housing and the other end is fixed to the second roller and thus is bent by the first roller and then rolled on the second roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS11016532B2Display device and moving method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a first roller; a second roller; a gear unit that is coupled to the second roller and configured to rotate with the second roller; a rail unit that is engaged with the gear unit; a housing where the rail unit is provided; and a display panel module of which one end is fixed to the housing and the other end is fixed to the second roller and is configured to be bent by the first roller and then rolled on the second roller, wherein the display panel module is configured to be slide-extended and slide-retracted as the gear unit and the rail unit operate while being engaged with each other.