Variable-Curvature Spacers to Reduce Bent Display Lifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with bent edges face issues of repulsive forces leading to a lifting phenomenon and inefficient utilization of internal space.

Innovation Solution

A display device design featuring a display panel with overlapping bent portions and a spacer that has varying curvatures on its upper and lower surfaces, along with a window member and flexible components, to minimize lifting and optimize space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display panel is bent to extend display to side surfaces, then the display area is increased, but repulsive force is generated causing lifting phenomenon between members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidlifting phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with different curvatures for its upper and lower surfaces, creating local quality variations that adapt to the bending requirements at different locations. The first curvature on the upper surface and second curvature on the lower surface are specifically tailored to match the bending radius of the display panel at corresponding positions, ensuring uniform contact and stress distribution throughout the bent structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the spacer by implementing different curvature radii on its upper and lower surfaces. This parameter modification allows the spacer to conform to the bent shape of the display panel while maintaining proper contact, thereby preventing the lifting phenomenon caused by repulsive forces in bent configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the display panel is bent at a single curvature radius, then the structure is simplified, but the repulsive force causes lifting between members

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidlifting phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed with different curvatures for its upper and lower surfaces, creating local quality variations that adapt to the bending requirements at different locations. The first curvature on the upper surface and second curvature on the lower surface are specifically tailored to match the bending radius of the display panel at corresponding positions, ensuring uniform contact and stress distribution throughout the bent structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of stationary object

If members are stacked closely to save space, then internal space utilization is improved, but repulsive force from bending causes lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal spaceVSAvoidlifting phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the spacer by implementing different curvature radii on its upper and lower surfaces. This parameter modification allows the spacer to conform to the bent shape of the display panel while maintaining proper contact, thereby preventing the lifting phenomenon caused by repulsive forces in bent configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3965179B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3965179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3965179B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel that is bent so that at least a portion of the display panel overlaps another portion of the display panel; and a spacer surrounded by the display panel and that includes a flat portion and a bent portion connected to the flat portion, where an upper surface of the bent portion has a first curvature and a lower surface of the bent portion has a second curvature that differs from the first curvature.