Wearable Device Segment Rotation for Flexible Display Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable devices with foldable structures face difficulties in integrating wide display devices due to non-foldable display structures, limiting their application in wearable technology, especially for flexible display devices that need to transform between an annularly bent and flat state.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device design featuring segment members with rotatable connections, a bistable spring for elasticity and retentivity, and slots to support a flexible display, allowing transformation between states while maintaining the display's integrity and appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional non-foldable display structures are used in wearable devices, then the display can be disposed in one of the two bodies, but the wearable device cannot transform between annularly bent and flat states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransformation capability between bent and flat statesVSAvoiddisplay integrity during transformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device body is divided into multiple segment members (first, second, third segment members) that can rotate relative to each other around a neutral line. This segmentation allows the body to transform between annularly bent and flat states while the flexible display device is supported on the outer surface, maintaining display integrity during transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible display device is used that can bend and flex without damage. The display device is supported on the outer surface of the segment members, allowing it to conform to the changing shape of the wearable device body during transformation between bent and flat states, ensuring display integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of moving object

If the wearable device transforms to an annularly bent state, then portability is improved, but the flexible display device may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice size for portabilityVSAvoiddisplay damage during bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a neutral line as a reference dimension for bending transformation. The segment members rotate around this neutral line, creating a controlled bending dimension that protects the flexible display device supported on the outer surface from damage during annular transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible display device is pre-supported on the outer surface of the segment members with proper positioning structures (grooves, protrusions). This beforehand support and positioning cushions the display device against damage during the annular bending transformation by maintaining its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple segment members are used for transformation, then the wearable device can change shape, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape transformation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of segment members and connecting structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body is segmented into three main segment members that rotate relative to each other, providing shape transformation capability. This segmentation is kept minimal (three segments) to achieve the required adaptability while controlling structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first, second, and third segment members are merged into a single integrated body structure that functions as one wearable device. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate transformable components, while still enabling shape change through internal rotation of the segment members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design stabilizes and supports flexible displays, enabling transformation between annularly bent and flat states without damaging the display, improving the wearable device's external appearance and reducing the risk of breakdown.

Implementation Method 1

a bistable spring that is supported on the plurality of segment members to provide elasticity in a direction into the annularly bent state and retentivity maintaining the flat state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9668550B2Wearable device

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A wearable device that may transform between an annularly bent state and a flat state is provided. The wearable device includes a plurality of segment members including a top portion and a bottom portion having a shorter length than the top portion; a plurality of connecting members that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of segment members, wherein each of the plurality of connecting members is connected to be mutually rotatable with two segment members disposed respectively on both sides thereof; a bistable spring that is supported on a plurality of segment members to provide elasticity in a direction into the annularly bent state and retentivity of the flat state; and a flexible display device that is supported on the top portion of the plurality of segment members.