Rollable Display Back Cover Sidewall Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rollable display apparatuses are prone to damage from external physical impacts, scratches, and cracking due to particle penetration, and suffer from rigidity issues and rolling deviations that lead to crumpling of the flexible display panel.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display apparatus with a back cover featuring a panel supporting part having openings larger than the display panel width and a sidewall part protruding from the edges, which increases rear and side rigidity, minimizes bending stress, and guides proper rolling to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a back cover is attached on the rear surface of the flexible display panel, then rigidity reliability is improved, but the flexible display panel is easily damaged by external physical impact applied to the side surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity reliabilityVSAvoidexternal physical impact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back cover is extended in the vertical dimension to form sidewall parts that protrude from the edges of the panel supporting part. This three-dimensional extension provides lateral protection against physical impacts on the side surfaces of the flexible display panel, addressing the vulnerability to side impacts while maintaining rear surface support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The back cover is designed with a structure that combines rigid support (panel supporting part with openings) and flexible protection (sidewall parts). The openings in the panel supporting part allow the structure to be lightweight while maintaining strength, and the overall design protects the flexible display panel without restricting its flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a back cover is attached on the rear surface of the flexible display panel, then rigidity reliability is improved, but the flexible display panel is scratched due to physical contact between the back cover and the flexible display panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity reliabilityVSAvoidscratches from physical contact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall parts of the back cover act as intermediary protective elements that extend vertically from the rear surface. These sidewalls create a protective barrier that prevents external particles from penetrating into gaps and causing scratches, while the openings in the panel supporting part reduce direct contact pressure between the back cover and the flexible display panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a back cover is attached on the rear surface of the flexible display panel, then rigidity reliability is improved, but a crack occurs due to particles and spreads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity reliabilityVSAvoidcrack from particle penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back cover structure with its sidewall parts creates a sealed protective environment that prevents particles from penetrating into gaps between the back cover and the flexible display panel. The vertical extension of sidewalls blocks particle ingress paths, protecting the flexible display panel from particle-induced cracking while maintaining structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible display panel is wound around a roller part, then rollable functionality is achieved, but the center of the flexible display panel can be crumpled due to mismatch between both sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverollable functionalityVSAvoidcrumpling during rolling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall parts of the back cover are designed to extend vertically from the panel supporting part, creating a preliminary protective structure that guides the flexible display panel during the rolling process. This pre-formed three-dimensional structure prevents mismatch between both sides of the panel during winding, ensuring smooth rolling without crumpling at the center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10985333B2Flexible display apparatus and rollable display apparatus comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Discussed are a flexible display apparatus and a rollable display apparatus comprising the same, in which rigidity reliability is secured against a physical impact. The flexible display panel includes a display unit provided on a flexible substrate and a back cover disposed on a rear surface of the flexible display panel. The back cover includes a panel supporting part including a plurality of openings, having a size greater than a width of the flexible display panel, and supporting the flexible display panel, and a sidewall part protruding from each of one edge and another edge of the panel supporting part.