Three-Part Foldable Housing for Flexible Display Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in accommodating larger display sizes in electronic devices without increasing overall size or weight, while protecting the display from damage when folded with tighter radii of curvature, as existing flexible displays are more exposed to external influences.
Innovation Solution
A three-part housing system where each part has a front and back facing surface with two sides, allowing for flexible display extension across these parts, and a third part that can move to cover the display, incorporating a hook mechanism for secure coupling and potential electrical components for device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the display size is increased to support larger visual content, then the display area is improved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into three separate parts (first housing part, second housing part, third housing part) that can be movably coupled together. This segmentation allows the display to extend across multiple housing parts when unfolded, providing a larger display area, while each individual housing part maintains a compact size suitable for handheld use. The display is configured to extend across the first and second housing parts, enabling large visual content display without requiring a single large device body.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing parts are designed with movable couplings that allow dynamic reconfiguration between folded and unfolded states. The third housing part can be moved relative to the second housing part to selectively cover the display, and the housing parts can be folded together or extended apart. This dynamic structure enables the device to transition between compact storage mode and expanded display mode, accommodating both large display area and compact size requirements.
2Reliability
If the display is placed on the outside surface of folding housing elements to avoid tight curvature, then the display is protected from curvature damage, but the display is more exposed to external damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the display on the outer surface of the first housing part, the display is configured to extend across the first housing part and the second housing part, with the third housing part serving as a protective cover. The third housing part is movable relative to the second housing part and can be positioned to cover the display, effectively inverting the protection strategy by using another housing part as a shield rather than relying solely on the display's position on the outer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The third housing part acts as an intermediary protective element between external environmental factors and the display. When the third housing part is positioned to cover the display, it serves as a mediator that blocks external influences such as dust, moisture, and physical impact from reaching the display, while still allowing the display to function when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the device is folded to a smaller size for handheld use, then the device portability is improved, but the display size available for viewing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into three separate parts that can be movably coupled together, allowing the display to extend across multiple housing parts when unfolded for viewing, while each individual housing part maintains a compact size suitable for handheld use. The display is configured to extend across the first and second housing parts, enabling large visual content display without requiring a single large device body.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing parts are designed with movable couplings that allow dynamic reconfiguration between folded and unfolded states. The third housing part can be moved relative to the second housing part to selectively cover the display, and the housing parts can be folded together or extended apart. This dynamic structure enables the device to transition between compact storage mode and expanded display mode, accommodating both large display area and compact size requirements.
4Reliability
If a third housing part is added to cover the display and support electronic components, then the display protection and device functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third housing part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a protective cover for the display when positioned to cover it, provides structural support for electronic components when positioned to receive them, and can be movably coupled to create different device configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective elements and component housings, thereby managing complexity despite the additional housing part.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides an electronic device having at least a three part housing foldable between multiple use positions. The three part housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and a third housing part, where each of the three housing parts has a front facing, a back facing, and two spaced apart sides respectively coupled between the front facing and back facing at opposite edges of the front and back facings. The second housing part is respectively movably coupled to a side of each the first housing part and the third housing part at a different one of the two spaced apart sides of the second housing part. The electronic device further includes a flexible display which extends along at least portions of the first housing part and the second housing part, and across the movably coupled sides, at which the first housing part is coupled to the second housing part. The third housing part is adapted to be moved relative to the second housing part to selectively cover at least a portion of the flexible display.