Display apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9541952-B2
Application number	US-201314010716-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2013
Priority date	Feb 8, 2013
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

A display apparatus includes a display module including a flexible display panel for displaying an image, and a variable member for varying a shape of the flexible display panel. The variable member includes a variable section capable of bending in shape. The variable member also includes a driver for supplying mechanical energy to bend the shape of the variable section, where the flexible display panel is varied in shape by the bending in shape of the variable section.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A display apparatus comprising: a display module including a flexible display panel to display an image; and a variable member to vary a shape of the flexible display panel, wherein the variable member comprises at least one variable section capable of being varied in shape, and at least one driver to supply mechanical energy to vary the shape of the variable section, wherein-the variable section comprises a first portion fixed to the display module; and a second portion is fixed to the driver and fixed to opposite end portions of the first portion, wherein the first portion bends in shape by tension force of the second portion between the opposite end portions of the first portion, the flexible display panel includes a first state and a second state different from the first state by bending of the first portion; the second portion is fixed on a rotating shaft, and the second portion is variable in length in accordance with winding or unwinding of a portion of the second portion on or from the rotating shaft driven by at least one gear.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible display panel is varied by the variable member to correspond to the shape of the variable section.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a connection length variable by the driver to thereby bend a shape of the first portion.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the connection length is a rectilinear length between opposite ends of the second portion.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the second portion has a wire shape.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first portion comprises a composite material; and
the second portion comprises one of a metal wire, a non-metal wire, or a composite wire.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first portion is elongated in one direction; and
the first portion is fixed, at a central region thereof, at the display module such that the first portion does not move at the central region.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the first portion is movably fixed, at end regions thereof, by guide members fixed at the display module, respectively.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driver comprises an ultrasonic motor.

10. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the driver comprises a rotating shaft rotatable by a rotating force from a motor;
the second portion is fixed on the rotating shaft, and has a connection length variable in accordance with winding or unwinding of a portion of the second portion on or from the rotating shaft.

11. The display apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein:
a fixing portion is formed at an end portion of the rotating shaft disposed toward the display module; and
the second portion is fixed on the fixing portion.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driver further comprises;
a motor supplying rotational force, and
a reducer connected to the motor.

13. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is fixed, at a central region, to the driver.

14. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion disposed between the display module and the first portion.

15. The display apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a housing to house the motor and the reducer, the housing being fixed on the display module.

16. The display apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein:
the rotating shaft is disposed between the first portion and the display module;
the rotating shaft is formed with a fixing portion at an end of the rotating shaft disposed adjacent to the display module; and
the second portion is fixed on the fixing portion.

17. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one variable section comprises a plurality of variable sections; and
the at least one driver comprises a motor to drive the plurality of variable sections.

18. The display apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein:
the at least one variable section comprises a first portion fixed on the display module, and a second portion disposed between the display module and the first portion, and fixed on the first portion;
the motor is spaced from the variable section; and
a path change member is disposed between the at least one variable section and the display module, to change a movement path of the second portion toward the motor.

19. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises a support member located at a rear surface of the flexible display panel; and
the first portion fixed to the support member.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kang Kitae
• Ryu Hyunjong
• Sung Jaehyun
• Park Sangdon

Classifications

• G06F1/1601 Primary

  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

• H04N5/64 Primary

  Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers (furniture aspects {of television cabinets} A47B81/06) · CPC title

• Y02E10/549

  Organic PV cells · CPC title

• G06F1/16

  Constructional details or arrangements · CPC title

• G02F1/133305

  Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film · CPC title