IP Library Granted Patent US 7,710,370
Granted Patent B2
US 7,710,370 · App. 10/535,470 · Granted May 4, 2010

Flexible display device rollable between rolled-up and unrolled states

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,710,370
App. No.
10/535,470
Granted
May 4, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a display device assembly ( 1 ) comprising a flexible display device ( 2 ) being rollable around an axis ( 5 ), the flexible display ( 2 ) having a front side ( 3 ) and a back side ( 4 ), one of the sides ( 3,4 ) being provided with distance elements ( 7, 7′,80 ) for preventing a direct contact between the front side ( 3 ) and the back side ( 4 ). By preventing the front and back side to contact each other the amount of display damage is significantly reduced as compared to conventional roll-up displays. An advantageous embodiment comprises a display device assembly in which the spacer elements are shaped in the form of bars ( 7, 7 ′). In a further advantageous embodiment of the display assembly the distance elements comprise a protection foil ( 80 ).

Claims (23)

1. A display device assembly comprising:

a flexible display being rollable around an axis, between a rolled-up and an unrolled state, the flexible display having a front side and a back side,

distance elements provided on one of the sides of the flexible display for preventing a direct contact between the front side and the back side of the flexible display, the distance elements comprising bars positioned to extend substantially parallel to the axis, and

a continuous layer of flexible material positioned between the bars and the back side of the flexible display, and wherein the continuous layer of flexible material is integrated with the flexible display to create hinges between adjacent ones of the bars such that, in the unrolled state of the flexible display, abutting sides of adjacent ones of the bars provide a stiffened support structure for the flexible display.

2. A display device assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bars are provided in the form of a piece of material having grooves oriented substantially parallel to the axis and that facilitate formation of the hinges between adjacent ones of the bars.

3. A display device assembly according to claim 1 , wherein outer portions of the bars comprise spacers for creating a housing for the flexible display device in the rolled-up state.

4. A display device assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the spacers are formed by spacer blocks that are positioned on a back side of the bars.

5. A display device assembly according to claim 4 , wherein each spacer block has a display side that is provided with a notch for receiving the flexible display device.

6. A display device assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the material of the bars is flexible.

7. A display device assembly comprising:

a flexible display being rollable around at least one axis between a rolled-up and an unrolled state, the flexible display having a front side and a back side, and

a distance element for preventing a direct contact between the front side and the back side of the flexible display in the rolled up state, and the distance element comprising a protection foil that is:

mechanically coupled to roll and unroll with the flexible display,

positioned against the flexible display in the rolled-up state, and

unconnected over a surface area to the flexible display, thereby allowing separate movement of the protection foil and the flexible display when not in the rolled-up state; and

the protection foil further having a soft surface that touches the front side of the flexible display in the rolled-up state.

8. A display device assembly according to claim 7 wherein the protection foil is connected to the back side of the display.

9. A display device assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the display device assembly further comprises guiding means for guiding the protection foil when the assembly is being rolled into the unrolled state, such that the front side of the flexible display is not covered by the protection foil.

10. A display device assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the protection foil is connected to a rim of the back side of the flexible display.

11. A display device assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the display assembly is further provided with storing means for storing the protection foil, when the flexible display is in the unrolled state.

12. A flexible display device assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the storing means comprise a cylindrical element for winding the protection foil around the cylindrical element.

13. A flexible display device assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the storing means is arranged to enable a translational movement with respect to a housing.

14. A flexible display device assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible display device assembly is provided with a cylindrical element for winding the display around the cylindrical element, said cylindrical element being arranged to be translatable with respect to a housing.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2016
From: CREATOR TECHNOLOGY B.V.
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 038214/0991 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2011
From: POLYMER VISION LIMITED
To: CREATOR TECHNOLOGY B.V.
Reel/Frame 026365/0552 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2007
From: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
To: POLYMER VISION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 019698/0166 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2005
From: SLIFFERVEER, PETER JAN; VAN RENS, BAS JAN EMILE
To: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
Reel/Frame 017077/0311 →