Apparatus for supporting flexible display panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10151424-B2
Application number	US-201514918079-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 5, 2015
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a flexible display panel is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes first and second unidirectional link members arranged in a first direction so as to be parallel to each other. The first and second unidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a second direction crossing the first direction. The apparatus also includes a first connecting member connected to one side of each of the first and second unidirectional link members so as to be rotatable around the second direction and first and second supporting plates arranged on opposing sides of the first and second unidirectional link members in the first direction. The first and second supporting plates are configured to be rotatable together with the first and second unidirectional link members.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible display device, comprising:
first and second unidirectional link members arranged in a first direction so as to be parallel to each other, wherein the first and second unidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a second direction crossing the first direction;
a first connecting member connected to one side of each of the first and second unidirectional link members so as to be rotatable around the second direction;
first and second supporting plates arranged on opposing sides of the first and second unidirectional link members in the first direction, wherein the first and second supporting plates are configured to be rotatable together with the first and second unidirectional link members;
first and second bidirectional link members arranged in the first direction so as to be parallel to each other, wherein the first and second bidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the second direction;
a first rotation rod penetrating through the first unidirectional link member and the first connecting member, wherein the first rotation rod is parallel to the second direction;
a second rotation rod penetrating through the second unidirectional link member and the first connecting member, wherein the second rotation rod is parallel to the first rotation rod; and
a flexible display panel,
wherein the first and second supporting plates support the flexible display panel,
wherein the flexible display panel is configured to be bent along with the rotation of the first and second supporting plates,
wherein the first bidirectional link member and the first unidirectional link member are arranged in the second direction so as to be parallel to each other,
wherein the first bidirectional link member and the first unidirectional link member are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the first direction,
wherein the second bidirectional link member and the second unidirectional link member are arranged in the second direction so as to be parallel to each other,
wherein the second bidirectional link member and the second unidirectional link member are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the first direction, and
wherein the first rotation rod and the second rotation rod are elastic.

2. The flexible display device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second unidirectional link members are connected to the first and second rotation rods so as to be rotatable around the first and second rotation rods.

3. The flexible display device of claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second unidirectional link members has a rectangular prism shape and wherein two upper corner portions of each of the first and second unidirectional link members facing each other are chamfered.

4. The flexible display device of claim 3 , wherein the corner portions of the first and second unidirectional link members contact each other when the first and second unidirectional link members are rotated around the first and second rotation rods.

5. The flexible display device of claim 1 , wherein the first unidirectional link member is fixed to the first supporting plate.

6. The flexible display device of claim 5 , wherein the second unidirectional link member is fixed to the second supporting plate.

7. The flexible display device of claim 1 , further comprising:
third and fourth bidirectional link members arranged in the first direction so as to be parallel to each other, wherein the third and fourth bidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the second direction;
wherein the first and third bidirectional link members are arranged in the second direction so as to be parallel to each other,
wherein the first and third bidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the first direction,
wherein the second and fourth bidirectional link members are arranged in the second direction so as to be parallel to each other, and
wherein the second and fourth bidirectional link members are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the first direction.

8. The flexible display device of claim 7 , wherein the first rotation rod penetrates through the first and third bidirectional link members, and wherein the second rotation rod penetrates through the second and fourth bidirectional link members.

9. The flexible display device of claim 8 , further comprising:
a third rotation rod penetrating through the first and second bidirectional link members, wherein the third rotation rod is parallel to the first direction; and
a fourth rotation rod penetrating through the third and fourth bidirectional link members, wherein the fourth rotation rod is parallel to the third rotation rod.

10. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the first and second bidirectional link members are connected to each of the first and second rotation rods so as to be rotatable around the first and second rotation rods.

11. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the third and fourth bidirectional link members are connected to each of the first and second rotation rods so as to be rotatable around the first and second rotation rods.

12. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the first and third bidirectional link members are connected to each of the third and fourth rotation rods so as to be rotatable around the third and fourth rotation rods.

13. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the second and fourth bidirectional link members are connected to each of the third and fourth rotation rods so as to be rotatable around the third and fourth rotation rods.

14. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the first to fourth bidirectional link members are formed to have a rectangular prism shape and wherein each of upper corner portions of the first to fourth bidirectional link members is chamfered.

15. The flexible display device of claim 9 , wherein the third and fourth rotation rods are elastic.

Assignees

• Samsung Display Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hong Sung Su

Classifications

• E05D7/00

  Hinges or pivots of special construction (used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02) · CPC title

• F16M11/12

  in more than one direction · CPC title

• F16M11/40

  by means of coilable or bendable legs {or spiral shaped legs} · CPC title

• G06F1/1601

  Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays (constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64) · CPC title

• E05D3/06

  with two or more pins (E05D7/08 takes precedence) · CPC title