Foldable electro-optic display apparatus
An image display apparatus having a flexible electronic display comprising a bendable portion that is flexible and configured to display an image, a support member comprising a substantially planar portion that resists bending and a bending-protection portion that bends and protects the bendable portion of the flexible display, and a retainer for retaining the flexible electronic display proximal to a surface of the support member.
1. An image display apparatus comprising:
a flexible electronic display comprising a bendable portion that is flexible and configured to display an image;
a support member comprising a substantially planar portion that resists bending and a bending-protection portion that bends and protects the bendable portion of the flexible display; and
a retainer for retaining the flexible electronic display proximal to a surface of the support member;
wherein:
the retainer contacts the flexible electronic display and limits the motion of the flexible electronic display with respect to the support member;
the retainer allows the flexible electronic display to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the bending-protection portion is configured to bend; and
the bending-protection portion includes walls defining a cavity configured to accept deflection of the flexible electronic display during bending.
2. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible electronic display comprises an electrophoretic medium.
3. The image display apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the electrophoretic medium is encapsulated.
4. The image display apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electrophoretic medium is distributed in a plurality of microcells.
5. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes a protective cover for protecting the flexible display surface.
6. The image display apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the retainer is a housing having an opening that incorporates the protective cover.
7. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer is an adhesive.
8. The image display apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the adhesive bonds the flexible display to the substantially planar portion but does not bond the flexible display to the bending-protection portion.
9. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer is an adhesive and the adhesive is not present in the cavity.
10. The image display apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the bending-protection portion comprises a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the bendable portion of the flexible display.
11. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending-protection portion defines a bending axis of the support member and comprises a hemi-cylindrical body.
12. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion comprises a first planar portion and a second planar portion.
13. The image display apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the first planar portion and the second planar portion are coupled to the bending-protection portion on opposed sides of the bending-protection portion.
14. The image display apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the first planar portion and the second planar portion are coupled to the bending-protection portion with an outer covering coupled to the first and second planar portions and to the bending-protection portion.
15. The image display apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the bending-protection portion overlaps an edge of the first planar portion and an edge of the second planar portion.
16. The image display apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein bending-protection portion is flexible and allows the first planar portion to move in an arc with respect to the second planar portion.
17. The image display apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an extra support portion supporting the flexible display on the empty volume.