Display device with adjustable rigidity
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorJeffrey G. Hamel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a device includes a first sheet configured to flex; a second sheet disposed below the first sheet; and an intermediate region disposed between the sheets. The intermediate region may include multiple supports, each of the supports connected to portions of the first and second sheets and configured to maintain a spacing between the sheets. The intermediate region may also include multiple channels configured to contain a fluid in the spacing between the sheets, each of the channels disposed between two or more supports. The fluid is configured to be in an active or an inactive state. When the fluid is in the inactive state, the device is substantially flexible, and when the fluid is in the active state, the device is substantially rigid.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a first sheet configured to flex, wherein the first sheet comprises one or more first electrodes;
- a second sheet disposed below the first sheet, wherein the second sheet comprises one or more second electrodes;
- and
- an intermediate region disposed between the sheets, the intermediate region comprising:
- a plurality of supports, each of the supports connected to portions of the first and second sheets and configured to maintain a spacing between the sheets;
- a plurality of channels configured to contain a fluid in the spacing between the sheets, each of the channels disposed between two or more supports;
- and
- the fluid, configured to be in an active or an inactive state, wherein:
- when the fluid is in the inactive state, the device is substantially flexible;
- and
- when the fluid is in the active state, the device is substantially rigid,
- wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to:
- receive a voltage applied between one or more of the first and second electrodes;
- and
- produce an electric field between the one or more first and second electrodes, the electric field extending through the fluid of one or more channels of the intermediate region, and the electric field having a magnitude proportional to the applied voltage.
A system comprising:
- a first sheet configured to flex;
- a second sheet disposed below the first sheet;
- an intermediate region disposed between the sheets, the intermediate region comprising:
- a plurality of supports, each of the supports connected to portions of the first and second sheets and configured to maintain a spacing between the sheets;
- a plurality of channels configured to contain a fluid in the spacing between the sheets, each of the channels disposed between two or more supports;
- and
- the fluid, configured to be in an active or an inactive state, wherein:
- when the fluid is in the inactive state, the system is substantially flexible;
- and
- when the fluid is in the active state, the system is substantially rigid;
- and
- one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the state of the fluid.
An apparatus comprising:
- an intermediate region configured to be disposed between a first sheet comprising one or more first electrodes and a second sheet comprising one or more second electrodes, the first sheet being configured to flex, the intermediate region comprising:
- a plurality of supports, each of the supports connected to portions of the first and second sheets and configured to maintain a spacing between the sheets;
- a plurality of channels configured to contain a fluid in the spacing between the sheets, each of the channels disposed between two or more supports;
- and
- the fluid, configured to be in an active or an inactive state, wherein:
- when the fluid is in the inactive state, the apparatus is substantially flexible;
- and
- when the fluid is in the active state, the apparatus is substantially rigid,
- wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to:
- receive a voltage applied between one or more of the first and second electrodes;
- and
- produce an electric field between the one or more first and second electrodes, the electric field extending through the fluid of one or more channels of the intermediate region, and the electric field having a magnitude proportional to the applied voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.