Shape Retaining Structure for Wearable Electronic Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shape-modifiable electronic devices face challenges in retaining a stable deformed state, leading to potential damage or loss when worn on a human body.

Innovation Solution

A shape-modifiable electronic device design incorporating a first non-modifiable section, a modifiable section that can be bent, a second non-modifiable section, a flexible display, an elastic plate, and a shape-fixing part to retain the modified shape, allowing for uniform deformation and stable shape retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device housing is made fully flexible to enable shape modification, then the adaptability and wearability are improved, but the structural stability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape modifiabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three distinct sections: a first non-modifiable section with fixed shape, a modifiable section that can be bent and deformed, and a second non-modifiable section. This segmentation allows the device to achieve shape adaptability in the modifiable section while maintaining structural stability through the non-modifiable sections that provide anchoring points and structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the housing have different mechanical properties: the non-modifiable sections maintain rigid structural characteristics for stability, while the modifiable section possesses flexible characteristics for shape adaptation. This local differentiation of material or structural properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and local stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the electronic device is made fully flexible to enable deformation, then the ease of operation and wearability are improved, but the manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewearabilityVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three distinct sections: a first non-modifiable section with fixed shape, a modifiable section that can be bent and deformed, and a second non-modifiable section. This segmentation allows the device to achieve shape adaptability in the modifiable section while maintaining structural stability through the non-modifiable sections that provide anchoring points and structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the housing have different mechanical properties: the non-modifiable sections maintain rigid structural characteristics for stability, while the modifiable section possesses flexible characteristics for shape adaptation. This local differentiation of material or structural properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and local stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the modifiable section is made larger to increase shape adaptability, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three distinct sections: a first non-modifiable section with fixed shape, a modifiable section that can be bent and deformed, and a second non-modifiable section. This segmentation allows the device to achieve shape adaptability in the modifiable section while maintaining structural stability through the non-modifiable sections that provide anchoring points and structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the housing have different mechanical properties: the non-modifiable sections maintain rigid structural characteristics for stability, while the modifiable section possesses flexible characteristics for shape adaptation. This local differentiation of material or structural properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and local stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables smooth deformation and stable retention of the deformed shape, reducing the risk of damage or loss when worn on a human body.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic plate disposed on other surface throughout the first non-modifiable section, the modifiable sensation, and the second non-modifiable section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a shape-fixing part provided in the first non-modifiable section or the second non-modifiable section so as to retain a modified shape of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape retention:

Data Source

PatentUS11269378B2Shape retaining structure of electronic device and electronic device including same

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device comprising: a first unmodified section, which is one part of an electronic device having a modifiable shape and has a fixed and retained shape; a modification section extending from the first unmodified section and capable of being bent in one direction; a second unmodified section extending from the modification section and formed to be smaller than the first unmodified section; a flexible display arranged on one surface across the first unmodified section, the modification sensation and the second unmodified section; an elastic plate arranged on the other surface across the first unmodified section, the modification section and the second unmodified section; and a shape fixing unit provided in the first unmodified section or the second unmodified section so as to retain the modified shape of the electronic device. Additionally, other embodiments are possible.