Support device for a display having a switchable flexibility

Abstract

A base support of a display apparatus has a flexible support at least partially delimited by at least one boundary region.

Claims

1. A support device for a flexible display, comprising: a base support; at least one boundary wall; and a flexible support, accommodated by the base support and at least partially delimited by the at least one boundary wall, configured to support the flexible display thereon, the flexible support including a chamber-like structure and rod-shaped cavities, wherein the rod-shaped cavities are arranged one on top of another, each of the rod-shaped cavities being in contact with at least another of the rod-shaped cavities.

2. The support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the boundary walls is configured to accommodate the flexible display.

3. The support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible support has mechanical flexibility.

4. The support device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the chamber-like structure is compressible.

5. The support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the chamber-like structure is compressible by a force applied to the flexible support.

6. The support device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch the mechanical flexibility of the flexible support, and wherein upon compression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a nonflexible state and, upon decompression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a flexible state.

7. The support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flexible support is rigid in the nonflexible state and is deformable in the flexible state.

8. The support device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flexible support is configured, in the nonflexible state, to form a rigid overall assembly together with the flexible display arranged thereon.

9. The support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display is a touch display operable in the nonflexible state of the flexible support.

10. The support device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the compression of the flexible support is actively switchable.

11. The support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible support has mechanical flexibility.

12. The support device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the chamber-like structure is compressible.

13. The support device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch the mechanical flexibility of the flexible support, and wherein upon compression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a nonflexible state and, upon decompression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a flexible state.

14. The support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flexible support is rigid in the nonflexible state and is deformable in the flexible state.

15. The support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the compression of the flexible support is actively switchable.

16. The support device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the chamber-like structure is compressible by a force applied to the flexible support.

17. The support device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch the mechanical flexibility of the flexible support, and wherein upon compression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a nonflexible state and, upon decompression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a flexible state.

18. The support device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch the mechanical flexibility of the flexible support, and wherein upon compression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a nonflexible state and, upon decompression of the flexible support, the flexible support is switched into a flexible state.

19. The support device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the flexible support is configured, in the nonflexible state, to form a rigid overall assembly together with the flexible display arranged thereon.

20. The support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a touch display operable in the nonflexible state of the flexible support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The schematically illustrated embodiments will be described further with reference to the drawings, wherein identical components are identified by identical reference signs, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a is a cross section through an embodiment of the support device having a flexible support in a flexible state,

(3) FIG. 1b is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in FIG. 1a of the support device having the flexible support in the flexible state,

(4) FIG. 2a is a cross section through an embodiment of the support device having a flexible support in a nonflexible state,

(5) FIG. 2b is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in FIG. 2a of the support device having the flexible support in the nonflexible state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

(7) FIG. 1a shows a cross section through an embodiment of the support device 10 having a flexible support 14 in a flexible state 16.

(8) FIG. 1a furthermore shows a base support 12 and boundary walls 13a, 13b, the flexible display 11, and a compressor 18. The base support 12 accommodates the flexible support 14 and forms a base structure around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is delimited by the two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

(9) In the present embodiment, the boundary wall 13b is configured to accommodate the flexible display 11. The flexible display 11 is attached to the boundary wall 13b.

(10) The flexible support 14 is designed as chamber-like or has a chamber-like structure 15 at least in regions. The chamber-like structure 15 is designed as rod-shaped, wherein the rod-shaped cavities are arranged laid one on top of another like bricks.

(11) The flexible support 14 is optionally formed from a rigid or bendable material. In general, the flexible support 14 is formed from a rigid material, wherein the flexible support 14 receives or has a mechanical flexibility due to the chamber-like structure 15. This mechanical flexibility is achieved by a compression of the chamber-like structure 15. For example, the chamber-like structure 15 is compressible by a force applied to the flexible support 14.

(12) The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support 14 is switchable, wherein, upon the compression of the flexible support 14, the flexible support 14 is switched into a nonflexible state and, upon a decompression of the flexible support 14, the flexible support 14 is switched into a flexible state 16.

(13) FIG. 1b shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a of the support device 10 having the flexible support 14 in the flexible state 16. In this case, the flexible support 14 having the base support 12 and the chamber-like structure 15 can be seen. Furthermore, the compressor 18 is shown.

(14) The base support 12 is designed as a receptacle which encloses the chamber-like structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base support 12 is made rectangular. In alternative embodiments, the base support 12 can have a rounded, circular, or oval shape or form another geometric shape.

(15) FIG. 2a shows a cross section through an embodiment of the support device 10 having a flexible support 14 in a nonflexible state 17.

(16) FIG. 2a also showsas shown in FIG. 1athe base support 12 and the boundary walls 13a, 13b, the flexible display 11, and the compressor 18. The base support 12 accommodates the flexible support 14 and forms the base structure 12 around the flexible support 14. The flexible support 14 is delimited by the two boundary walls 13a and 13b.

(17) The boundary wall 13b accommodates the flexible display 11, wherein the flexible display 11 is applied to the boundary wall 13b.

(18) The flexible support 14 is designed as chamber-like and has a mechanical flexibility which is achieved by the compression of the chamber-like structure 15 by the compressor 18.

(19) The mechanical flexibility of the flexible support 14 is switchable, wherein, upon the compression of the flexible support 14, the flexible support 14 is switched into the nonflexible state 17 and, upon the decompression of the flexible support 14, the flexible support 14 is switched into the flexible state 16.

(20) FIG. 2b shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a of the support device 10 having the flexible support 14 in the nonflexible state 17. The flexible support 14 having the base support 12 and the chamber-like structure 15 can be seen here. Furthermore, the compressor 18 is shown.

(21) The base support 12 is designed as a receptacle which encloses the chamber-like structure 15 on at least three sides. In the present embodiment, the base support 12 is made rectangular.

(22) The compressor 18 compresses the flexible support 14 with the force F. The flexible support 14 is compressed and the flexible support 14 stiffens. Together with the flexible display 11, the rigid, flexible support 14 forms a rigid overall assembly in this nonflexible state, which is sufficiently mechanically stable that it is touch operable.

(23) FIG. 2b shows the flexible support 14 in the nonflexible state 17. The chamber-like structure 15 is compressed by the compressor with the force F. The flexible support 14 is nonflexible due to the compression in such a way that its chamber-like structure 15 stiffens.

(24) Due to the compression, the flexible support 14 is no longer bendable or foldable or rollable. The flexible support 14 in the rigid, nonflexible state 17 forms the rigid overall assembly together with the flexible display 11. The rigid overall assembly forms a linear display 11, which is mechanically stable and is thus touch operable.

(25) The compression of the flexible support 14 is actively switchable. The compression of the chamber-like structure 15 is achieved by the mechanical compressor 18. The mechanical compressor 18 can be manually activated if needed. There is thus the selection between a flexible display 11 in a flexible state 16shown in FIG. 1awhich can be easily stowed and a flexible display 11 in a nonflexible state 17, in which the display 11 is touch operable.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(26) 10 support device 11 flexible display 12 base support 13a, 13b boundary region 14 flexible support 15 chamber-like structure 16 flexible state 17 nonflexible state 18 compressor F force.

(27) A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase at least one of A, B and C as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).