Patent Description:
A vehicle includes various input means and output means as a device for a user interface. Conventionally, as the input means, mechanical input means such as a button, a dial, and a lever were mainly used, but recently, the number of vehicles to which a method for a user to more intuitively input a command, such as voice input means, touch input means, and even gesture input means, is applied is increasing.

A cluster including a dashboard providing information on a speed, an RPM, an amount of fuel, and the like of the vehicle was the most basic output means, but as a display technology has improved and functions of the vehicle have become more precise and diversified, vehicles that include a display assembly are increasing so as to output various contents.

In the past, a small liquid crystal display for outputting sound was all, but recently, a navigation device and a large display assembly for showing a state of the vehicle are being applied to a center fascia between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat. Furthermore, the dashboard of the cluster may also not be in a needle type and may be applied with a display, thereby providing various information.

In addition, a head up display (HUD) output on a front windshield has become common such that the user may see important information without turning eyes thereof, so that a driver may check the speed or navigation guidance while looking forward.

The display not only simply outputs the information, but also has a touch sensor such that a touch input is able to be made at the same time, so that the display may function as the output means and the input means at the same time. Therefore, a size of the display applied to the vehicle is gradually increasing.

However, because an instrument panel including the dashboard and the center fascia is located at a front portion of the vehicle, when a size of the panel increases, a view in a forward direction is obstructed. In addition, as an autonomous driving function has recently become more advanced, there is a situation in which the function of the instrument panel of providing the information to the user is unnecessary or reduced during the autonomous driving, so that a large instrument panel is not always good.

The present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which is capable of changing its shape to reduce a space occupied.

The present invention s to provide a display device for a vehicle which is capable of changing its position not to obstruct a driver's view in a forward direction.

The present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which is capable of, when the display device is applied to a vehicle, changing it shape depending on a status of the vehicle.

The present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle capable of being extended when needed and at least partially accommodated or hidden when not needed selectively to change a size of a screen to be exposed.

The present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which is capable of being selectively bent or flat so as to adjust driver's angles of view to the display device.

The present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which is capable of having different curvature at different portions of the display device.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a display device equipped with a moving unit capable of simultaneously performing a linear motion and a curved motion with power of one motor.

In addition, the present invention is to improve rigidity of a display assembly via a rear support structure and a sheet that prevents bending deformation in a reverse direction such that there is no damage in a flexible structure.

To achieve the above-identified objects, there is provided a display device which includes a fixing unit, a moving unit movably coupled to the fixing unit and configured to switch a state of the display device from a first state to a second state, and a display assembly coupled to the moving unit, configured to move together with the moving unit, and including a variable portion. The variable portion becomes flat in the first state and bent in the second state. The display assembly includes a flexible display panel, a living hinge located on a rear surface of the flexible display panel and capable of being deformed corresponding to the bending of the variable portion, and a sheet coupled to a rear surface of the living hinge and configured to limit a maximum bending curvature of the variable portion while covering the grooves. The sheet is formed with wrinkles in the first state and is unfolded in the second state.

The living hinge may include a plurality of grooves extending in a horizontal direction in the rear surface thereof and arranged side by side in a vertical direction, and the wrinkles of the sheet may be formed at positions corresponding to the grooves.

The display device may further include a plurality of rigid ribs located between the plurality of grooves and extending in the horizontal direction.

The plurality of rigid ribs may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other while defining a predetermined gap therebetween in the horizontal direction. Ends of rigid ribs adjacent to each other in the vertical direction may be misaligned with each other.

The living hinge may contain an elastic material, and the groove may have a V-shaped cross-section.

The fixing unit may include a vertical base extending in a vertical direction, and a side rail formed at a front portion of a side surface of the vertical base and having a lower end extending while protruding forward. The display device may include a hinge wing portion protruding from the rear surface of the living hinge and moving along the side rail.

The hinge wing portion may include a plurality of hinge wing portions arranged in the vertical direction.

The vertical base may include a pair of vertical bases arranged in a horizontal direction, the side rail may include a pair of side rails formed on opposite sides of the pair of vertical bases, respectively, and the hinge wing portion may include a pair of hinge wing portions disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical manner and coupled to the pair of side rails for guiding variable portion.

The display assembly may include an upper portion located on an upper side of the variable portion and having no change in a curvature, and a lower portion located on a lower side of the variable portion and having no change in a curvature. The display device may include a first back plate coupled to a rear surface of the upper portion, and a second back plate coupled to a rear surface of the lower portion.

The first back plate may include a first extension fixed to the upper portion and covering at least a portion of the living hinge. The second back plate may include a second extension fixed to the lower portion and covering at least a portion of the living hinge. The first extension and the second extension may not overlap each other.

The moving unit may include a curved-moving unit protruding forward and downward while drawing a curved line with respect to the fixing unit when the state is switched from the first state to the second state. The curved-moving unit may be coupled to the second back plate. The moving unit may further include a straight-moving unit vertically moving with respect to the fixing unit. The straight-moving unit may be coupled to the first back plate. In the second state, the display assembly may become bent with a lower portion thereof protruding forward.

The display device may further include a driving unit for providing power to the curved-moving unit. The curved-moving unit may include a lower arm including a curved rack gear engaged with a pinion gear of the driving unit. An upper arm coupled to an upper end portion of the lower arm and providing power to the straight-moving unit.

The living hinge may include a plurality of grooves on a rear surface thereof. The sheet may be attached only to the rigid ribs between the grooves.

To achieve the above-identified objects, there is further provided a display device including a fixing unit, a moving unit movably coupled to the fixing unit and configured to switch a state of the display device from a first state to a second state, and a display assembly coupled to the moving unit, configured to move together with the moving unit, and including a variable portion. The variable portion becomes flat in the first state and bent in the second state. The fixing unit includes a vertical base extending in a vertical direction, and a side rail formed at a front portion of a side surface of the vertical base and having a lower end extending while protruding forward. The display assembly includes a flexible display panel, a living hinge located on a rear surface of the flexible display panel and capable of being deformed corresponding to the bending of the variable portion, and a hinge wing portion protruding from a rear surface of the living hinge and moving along the side rail.

The vertical base may include a pair of vertical bases arranged in a horizontal direction, the side rail may include a pair of side rails formed on opposite sides of the pair of vertical bases, respectively. The hinge wing portion may include a pair of hinge wing portions disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical manner and coupled to the pair of side rails for guiding variable portion.

The display assembly may include an upper portion located on an upper portion of the variable portion and having no change in a curvature during the transition from the first state to the second state, and a lower portion located on an lower portion of the variable portion and having no change in a curvature during the transition from the first state to the second state. The display device may include a first back plate coupled to a rear surface of the upper portion, and a second back plate coupled to a rear surface of the lower portion.

The display device defined in the appended claims provides the advantage of, when the display device is applied to the vehicle, adjusting a space occupied in a vehicle by deforming its shape to be flat or bent selectively.

The display device defined in the claims provides the advantage of, when the display device is applied to the vehicle, not obstructing the driver's view in a forward direction.

The display device defined in the claims also provides the advantage of, when the display device is applied to the vehicle, facilitating the driver of the vehicle to notice particular information in a screen of the display device easily and quickly by changing a curvature of the display device and thus providing an optimal view angle to that particular information.

The display device defined in the claims also provides the advantage of , when the display device is applied to the vehicle, facilitating the driver to notice information necessary for a current state of a vehicle by changing the shape of the display device in response to an input signal indicating the state of the vehicle.

Since the display device can change its shape according to the input signal indicating a state of the vehicle, users can notice a current state of the vehicle in a simple and intuitive way from the shape of the display device.

The display device defined in the claims also can be effectively protected from unintended external force and thus possible damages on the display device can be avoided by changing the shape of the display device depending on scenes in which the display device is used.

The display device defined in the claims can be extended or protruded when needed and at least partially accommodated or hidden when not needed to adjust the size of the screen to be exposed.

In addition, the display device may have the changeable shape, thereby being retracted and extended even when the accommodation space and the extension direction do not match each other.

Since the moving unit transmits the power of the motor via a linkage mechanism, the curved motion of a lower portion of the display assembly and the linear motion of an upper portion of the display assembly may be performed simultaneously.

Since the display assembly has the rigidity even in the bent state, the touch input on the bent display assembly is possible. Further since the deformation or bending in the reverse direction is prevented, the durability of the display assembly may be enhanced.

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function. In the present invention that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected with" another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected with" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

<FIG> is a front perspective view showing a first state of a display device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a front perspective view showing a second state of the display device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The display device <NUM> may be used when a large screen is to be implemented in a limited space. The display device <NUM> may be installed in a place where a limited space has to be efficiently utilized by changing a shape and/or position of the display device <NUM> as needed. For example, the display device <NUM> may be used as an instrument panel located at a front portion of a vehicle.

The display device <NUM> can switch between a first state in <FIG> and a second state in <FIG>. When switching from the first state to the second state, a display assembly <NUM> may become bent as shown in <FIG> at the same time while moving downwards. The directional term "downward(s)" refers to a direction starting from the upper end of the display assembly <NUM> to the lower end of the display assembly <NUM> when the display assembly is flat.

The display assembly <NUM> may include a display panel on a front surface thereof and a rear structure for covering the display assembly <NUM> on a rear surface thereof. The display device <NUM> may include a fixing unit <NUM> that fixes the display device <NUM> to the vehicle or a specific place. The display device <NUM> may further include a moving unit configured to change a shape and position of the display assembly <NUM>. The moving unit is attached to the rear structure of the display assembly <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may further include a driving unit <NUM> for generating power transferred to the moving unit.

The display panel may display graphic objects corresponding to various information. The display panel may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a three-dimensional display (3D display), and an e-ink display. The display panel may have a layered structure with or integrally formed with touch input means to implement a touch screen.

For the bending deformation as shown in <FIG>, the flexible display such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may be used. Even when a flexible display panel is used, it is difficult to maintain rigidity when all sections of the display panel are bent, so that, as shown in <FIG>, a partial section may be a variable portion B where the bending deformation occurs. Upper and lower portions F1 and F2 may be coupled respectively to upper and lower sides of the variable portion B.

If an entirety of the display assembly <NUM> would be bent, it would be difficult for the display assembly <NUM> to be coupled with the moving unit for the deformation and the position change of the display assembly <NUM>. In addition, due to a flexible structure, a degree of freedom in the shape change increases, so that there is a risk of deformation into an unintended shape.

In contrast with the variable portion B, the upper portion F1 moves only in a vertical direction, and the lower portion F2 moves downward and at the same time protrudes obliquely forward. The directional term "forward" refers to a direction in which the screen on the display assembly <NUM> in the 'flat' state heads. The moving directions of the upper portion F1 and the lower portion F2 are different from each other, and as a result, a curvature of the variable portion B positioned between the upper portion F1 and the lower portion F2 changes.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view showing a first state of the display device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a rear view showing a first state of the display device <NUM>.

A structure for mounting the display assembly <NUM> while changing the position and the shape of the same is located on the rear surface of the display assembly <NUM> of the display device <NUM>.

The structure may include the fixing unit <NUM>, the moving unit, and the driving unit <NUM>. The fixing unit <NUM> is a part that fixes the display device <NUM> to another object like a vehicle. The driving unit <NUM> is located on the fixing unit <NUM> and provides power for moving the moving unit relative to the fixing unit <NUM>.

The moving unit moves by receiving the power of the driving unit <NUM>. The moving unit is coupled to one of the portions F1 and F2 of the display assembly <NUM> to induce the movement and the deformation of the display assembly <NUM>. Preferably, the moving unit may be coupled to both of the portions F1 and F2 of the display assembly <NUM>. The moving unit may comprise the curved-moving unit <NUM> coupled to the lower portion F2. Preferably, the moving unit may further comprise a straight-moving unit <NUM> coupled to the upper portion F1. However, without the straight-moving unit <NUM>, the change of the shape and/or position of the display device <NUM> can be performed by the curved-moving unit <NUM> only.

The curved-moving unit <NUM> may include a lower arm <NUM>, an upper arm <NUM>, guide protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, and a second front bracket <NUM>. The straight-moving unit <NUM> may include a moving plate <NUM>, a first front bracket <NUM>, a rear bracket <NUM>, a first guide block <NUM>, and a second guide block <NUM>.

The fixing unit <NUM> may include a horizontal base <NUM> and a vertical base <NUM> extending vertically from the horizontal base <NUM>. The vertical base <NUM> may be formed with rails <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for the moving units <NUM> and <NUM> to slide. The moving units <NUM> and <NUM> may move relative to the vertical base <NUM> and change the position of the display assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a pair of vertical bases <NUM> may be disposed on left and right sides, and accordingly, a pair of straight-moving units <NUM> and a pair of curved-moving units <NUM> may be disposed on the left and right sides. Due to the pair of straight-moving units <NUM> and the pair of curved-moving units <NUM> disposed on the left and right sides of the display device <NUM>, the display assembly <NUM> may move stably without shaking.

The straight-moving unit <NUM> may move the upper portion F1 of the display assembly <NUM> in the vertical direction. The curved-moving unit <NUM> may guide the lower portion F2 of the display assembly <NUM> to protrude forward when moving in the downward direction.

The straight-moving unit <NUM> may move in the vertical direction along a straight rail formed on the vertical base <NUM>. The curved-moving unit <NUM> may move along a curved rail.

The vertical base <NUM> may include the straight rail extending in the vertical direction. The vertical base <NUM> may include the first straight rail <NUM> positioned at a front surface of the vertical base <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The vertical base <NUM> may further include a second straight rail <NUM> positioned at a rear surface as shown in <FIG>. The straight rail may be disposed on only one side of the vertical base <NUM>, but preferably a pair of straight rails may be disposed on front and rear sides of the vertical base <NUM> to move the display assembly <NUM> without twisting while supporting a weight of the display assembly <NUM>.

The straight-moving unit <NUM> may include the first guide block <NUM> that moves along the first straight rail <NUM> formed on the vertical base <NUM>. The straight-moving unit <NUM> may further include the second guide block <NUM> that moves along the second straight rail <NUM>.

The first guide block <NUM> may be fastened to the first front bracket <NUM>. The second guide block <NUM> may be fastened to the rear bracket <NUM>. The moving plate <NUM> may be connected to the first front bracket <NUM>. The moving plate <NUM> may be positioned between the first front bracket <NUM> and the rear bracket <NUM>. The moving plate <NUM> may be disposed such that the first guide block <NUM> and the second guide block <NUM> move simultaneously.

As shown in <FIG>, the moving plates <NUM> may be located at an inner side where the pair of vertical bases <NUM> face each other. The moving plate <NUM> may be disposed at a predetermined spacing from the vertical base <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a moving unit of the display device <NUM> according to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. The moving plate <NUM> may not be directly coupled to the straight rails <NUM> and <NUM>, but may be coupled to the straight rails <NUM> and <NUM> using the first front bracket <NUM> and the rear bracket <NUM>. A space may be provided between the moving plate <NUM> and the vertical base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the curved-moving unit <NUM> may be positioned between the vertical base <NUM> and the moving plate <NUM>. The curved-moving unit <NUM> may include the lower arm <NUM> having a lower portion coupled to a rear surface of the lower portion F2 and extending upwards. The lower portion of the lower arm <NUM> may be coupled to the lower portion F2 via the second front bracket <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The curved-moving unit <NUM> may further include the upper arm <NUM> connected to the lower arm <NUM>. The upper arm <NUM> may include guide protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> moving along curved rails <NUM> and <NUM>.

The lower arm <NUM> may receive the power of the driving unit <NUM> and push the lower portion F2 forward. The guide protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the upper arm <NUM> may form a moving path of the curved-moving unit <NUM> while moving along the curved rails <NUM> and <NUM>. The lower arm <NUM> may include a curved rack gear 341a located on a rear surface thereof to receive the power from the driving unit <NUM>.

A fixed part in <FIG> may correspond to the fixing unit <NUM>, and moving parts in the same figure may include the moving units <NUM> and <NUM> and the display assembly <NUM> moving together with the moving units <NUM> and <NUM>.

The driving unit <NUM> provides the power to the moving units <NUM> and <NUM>. The driving unit <NUM> may include a motor <NUM> and a pinion gear <NUM> that transmits the power of the motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be fixed on the fixing unit <NUM>, preferably on the horizontal base <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, horizontal shafts <NUM> may be included to transmit the power of one motor <NUM> to the left and right to transmit the power to the pair of moving units <NUM> and the pair of moving units <NUM> disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical manner.

In a case of having two motors <NUM>, the cost for the display device increases, so that it is preferable to use one single motor <NUM> to synchronize driving of the pair of moving units <NUM> and the pair of moving units <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is located between the pair of vertical bases <NUM>, the horizontal shaft <NUM> extends in a left and right direction, and each pinion gear <NUM> is coupled to an end of each horizontal shaft <NUM>.

In order to distribute the power of the motor <NUM> to the pair of horizontal shafts <NUM> and to change a rotation direction of the motor <NUM>, a plurality of gears may be used. A gear box <NUM> in which the gears are located may be located beneath the motor <NUM>.

The pinion gear <NUM> may be engaged with the curved rack gear 341a formed on the lower arm <NUM> of the curved-moving unit <NUM>, and the curved rack gear 341a may move while drawing a curved line when the pinion gear <NUM> rotates. The rear surface of the lower arm <NUM> on which the curved rack gear 341a is formed convexly protrudes rearwards, so that when the pinion gear <NUM> rotates, the curved rack gear 341a may move while drawing a curved trajectory rather than a straight line.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view showing a second state of the display device <NUM>, and <FIG> is a rear view showing a second state of the display device <NUM>.

When the driving unit <NUM> operates and is switched from the first state to the second state, the curved-moving unit <NUM> pushes a lower end of the display assembly <NUM> forward, and the upper portion F1 of the display assembly <NUM> coupled to the straight-moving unit <NUM> moves in the vertical direction separately from the lower portion F2 and maintains a direction thereof of facing forward.

The lower portion F2 of the display assembly <NUM> may move downwardly below the horizontal base <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and protrude forward as shown in <FIG>. The variable portion B may be bent while drawing a curved line, and the rear structure of the display assembly positioned on a rear surface of the variable portion B may include a living hinge <NUM> to enable the bending deformation in the vertical direction.

The living hinge <NUM> may be formed by attaching bar-shaped members elongated in a horizontal direction to each other in the vertical direction, or may be implemented by defining a groove <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction in a rear surface of an elastic member. The horizontal direction refers to the direction which is orthogonal to the direction "downward" and extends from one side end of the display assembly <NUM> to the other side end of the display assembly <NUM>.

The upper portion F1 and the lower portion F2 are guided by being coupled to the moving units <NUM> and <NUM>, but the shape of the variable portion B changes, so that it is difficult to have brackets on the variable portion B which are also connected to the moving units <NUM> and <NUM>. The variable portion B is not coupled directly to the moving units <NUM> and <NUM>, but is fastened to a side rail <NUM> that guides a moving path as shown in <FIG>, thereby moving along a predetermined curved trajectory along the curved rails <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a structure of a rear surface of the display assembly <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. As described above, the display assembly <NUM> may comprise the upper portion F1, the variable portion B, and the lower portion F2. Rigid back plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to the upper portion F1 and the lower portion F2.

The back plate is divided into the first back plate <NUM> coupled to the upper portion F1 and the second back plate <NUM> coupled to the lower portion F2. The solid back plate may be omitted at the variable portion B. The living hinge <NUM> may be disposed at a portion corresponding to a rear side of the variable portion B to enable the bending deformation of the variable portion B.

The back plates <NUM> and <NUM> may include extensions 361a and 362a extending toward the variable portion B, respectively. The extensions 361a and 362a are not coupled to the display assembly <NUM>, so that the extensions 361a and 362a may be spaced apart from the rear surface of the display assembly <NUM> in the second state in which the variable portion B is bent (see <FIG>).

An end of the extension portion 361a of the first back plate <NUM> and an end of the extension portion 362a of the second back plate <NUM> may meet each other at a center of the variable portion so as not to overlap each other.

When the motor <NUM> is driven in the first state, and when the curved-moving unit <NUM> moves downward and forward, an upper end of the extension 362a of the second back plate <NUM> located below is spaced apart from the rear surface of the display assembly <NUM> first, and then, a lower end of the extension 361a of the first back plate <NUM> is spaced apart from the rear surface of the display assembly <NUM>.

As the display assembly <NUM> moves downward, a curved surface of a lower portion of the variable portion B becomes a flat surface again, so that a spacing between the second back plate <NUM> and a display panel <NUM> may be reduced as shown in <FIG>.

The living hinge <NUM> may be covered by the extensions 361a and 362a, and as shown in <FIG>, a hinge wing portion <NUM> for guiding a moving path of the variable portion B may protrude from a rear surface of the living hinge <NUM>.

The hinge wing portion <NUM> may be made of a metal material for rigidity and may include a wing fixing portion <NUM> for covering the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> so as to fix the hinge wing portion <NUM> to the living hinge <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing the side rail <NUM> and the hinge wing portion <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a third guide protrusion <NUM> inserted into the side rail <NUM>, and <FIG> is a side view showing the second state.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge wing portion <NUM> may include the third guide protrusion <NUM> inserted into the side rail <NUM> to move along the side rail <NUM> formed at a side of the vertical base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, an upper portion of the side rail <NUM> may be straight in the vertical direction, but a lower portion thereof may be curved in the forward direction. The third guide protrusion <NUM> of the hinge wing portion <NUM> may be located in the upper straight section of the side rail <NUM> in the first state, but when switched to the second state, may move to the curved section of the side rail <NUM>, so that the lower portion F2 of the display may protrude as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge wing portion <NUM> may be disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical manner. In this regard, the third guide protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to face each other.

Because the hinge wing portion <NUM> is made of the rigid material, the extensions 361a and 362a may be omitted in the portion where the wing fixing portion <NUM> of the hinge wing portion <NUM> is located, and the extensions 361a and 362a may be located only between the hinge wing portions <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the display assembly <NUM> of the display device <NUM> and a structure of a rear surface thereof. The display assembly <NUM> may comprise the display panel <NUM>, and the living hinge <NUM> and the back plates <NUM> and <NUM> located on the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The living hinge <NUM> may include a front sheet <NUM> for attachment to the display panel <NUM> and a sheet <NUM> that limits the curvature of the variable portion B while covering the groove <NUM> defined in the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM>.

As described above, the hinge wing portions <NUM> exposed to the outside may be located at left and right sides of the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM>, respectively. A portion thereof overlapping the extensions 361a and 362a of the back plates may be covered with the sheet <NUM>.

A panel driving unit <NUM> for controlling driving of the display panel <NUM> may be located at a lower portion of the display panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the second back plate <NUM> may include an opening for partially exposing the panel driving unit <NUM> so as to connect the panel driving unit <NUM> and a main substrate to each other.

<FIG> is a diagram showing the living hinge <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. The living hinge <NUM> may be bendable using an elastic material <NUM>. The living hinge <NUM> may have a predetermined thickness so as to have rigidity to support a rear surface of the flexible display panel <NUM>.

However, if the living hinge <NUM> get thicker, the bending deformation would be difficult. The living hinge <NUM> may thus include the groove <NUM> provided in the rear surface and extending in the horizontal direction such that the bending deformation in the forward direction gets easy. The groove <NUM> may be cut in a V shape as shown in <FIG>.

A plurality of grooves <NUM> are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. A first group of the grooves <NUM> may have a cross-section of a trapezoidal shape. A second group of the grooves <NUM> may have a cross-section of a rectangular shape. Multiple grooves <NUM> may be filled with a rigid rib <NUM> for the rigidity of the living hinge <NUM>. The rigid rib <NUM> may be inserted in the grooves <NUM> of the first group only, the second group only or both groups. The rigid rib <NUM> may be inserted between adjacent two of the plurality of grooves <NUM> for the rigidity of the living hinge <NUM>. The rigid rib <NUM> may include a metal material. The rigid rib <NUM> may be inserted into the groove <NUM> between the elastic members <NUM>, or may be formed integrally with the elastic member <NUM> in a double injection scheme.

The rigid rib <NUM> may have a length corresponding to a length in the horizontal direction of the display panel <NUM>, but as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of rigid ribs <NUM> cut to have a predetermined length may be arranged in the horizontal direction. In this regard, when an end of the rigid rib <NUM> is disposed so as to be misaligned with an end of the adjacent rigid rib <NUM> in the vertical direction, a degree of freedom in a length change in the vertical direction is increased, so that the bending deformation of the display panel <NUM> may be performed more smoothly.

<FIG> is a diagram showing the living hinge <NUM>, the front sheet <NUM>, and the sheet <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. <FIG> shows the first state in which the variable portion B forms the flat surface, and <FIG> shows the second state in which the variable portion B is bent to form the curved surface.

Since the living hinge <NUM> has a predetermined thickness, front and rear surfaces of the living hinge <NUM> have different radius of curvatures. Further, since the front surface of the living hinge <NUM> is coupled with the display panel <NUM>, a change in the length of the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> is greater than a change in the length of the front surface of the living hinge <NUM>.

The front sheet <NUM> may be coupled to the display panel <NUM>, may have adhesiveness, and may be hardly deformed or slightly expanded. The sheet <NUM> located on a rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> has to be able to conform a great change in the length a lot as the living hinge <NUM> is greatly deformed.

Therefore, the sheet located on the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> may be made of a material having great elasticity. However, it is desirable to use the sheet <NUM> whose length does not change in order to limit a maximum curvature of the bending deformation of the display assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a length in the vertical direction of the sheet <NUM> is determined corresponding to the curvature in the second state, and the sheet <NUM> is tightly attached to the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> in the state in which the variable portion B is bent.

In this regard, the sheet <NUM> may be attached or bonded only to the bar (the rigid rib <NUM>) between the grooves <NUM> without being attached to the groove <NUM>. When switching to the first state as shown in <FIG>, a width of the groove <NUM> in the rear surface of the living hinge <NUM> narrows, so that the unbonded portion of the sheet <NUM> corresponding to the groove <NUM> may become bent and protrude rearwardly (or may be inserted between the grooves <NUM>) and form with wrinkle.

When switching back to the second state, even when an external force is applied from the front of the living hinge <NUM> to further change the curvature of the variable portion B, the sheet <NUM> does not stretch substantially, so that the variable portion B can be reliably supported not to be bent any further.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the moving units <NUM> and <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. The vertical base <NUM> of the fixing unit <NUM>, and the moving plate <NUM>, the first front bracket <NUM>, and the rear bracket <NUM> of the straight-moving unit <NUM> are shown. The lower arm <NUM> may include the curved rack gear 341a formed on the rear surface thereof. The upper arm <NUM> may be coupled onto the lower arm <NUM>.

The curved-moving unit <NUM> is located in the space between the moving plate <NUM> and the vertical base <NUM>. The curved rails <NUM> and <NUM> facing the upper arm <NUM> are formed on both the vertical base <NUM> and the moving plate <NUM>, and the upper arm <NUM> of the curved-moving unit <NUM> is coupled to the vertical base <NUM> and the moving plate <NUM> at the same time using the guide protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from both sides of the upper arm <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A'-A' in <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are views viewed from the outside of the moving plate <NUM>. When the motor <NUM> is driven and the pinion gear <NUM> rotates, the curved rack gear 341a is pushed downward and forward, so that the lower portion F2 protrudes forward and downward as shown in <FIG>.

Because the lower portion F2 moves downward, the variable portion B and the upper portion F1 may also be pulled downward, and the straight-moving unit <NUM> may also move downward as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in <FIG> and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B'-B' in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of the upper arm <NUM> viewed from the inside of the moving plate <NUM>. The upper arm <NUM> and the first curved rail <NUM> formed on the vertical base <NUM> are shown. The first guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper arm <NUM> may be inserted into and move along the first curved rail <NUM>. The first curved rail <NUM> thus guide the moving of the curved-moving unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a pair of first curved rails <NUM> may be disposed in a front and rear direction, and a rear first curved rail 312b located at the rear may have a greater length than a front first curved rail 312a located at the front. This is because, as the upper arm <NUM> rotates while drawing a curved line, a rear first guide protrusion 343b located at an end portion of the upper arm <NUM> has a greater rotation radius than a front first guide protrusion 343a, and thus, has a greater moving distance.

The upper arm <NUM> in <FIG> may be more tilted than in <FIG> such that a rear portion of the upper arm <NUM> may be located lower than a front portion of the upper arm <NUM>. The relative position between the lower ends of the first curved rails <NUM> may be different from the relative position between the upper ends thereof.

When the curved-moving unit <NUM> moves downward and forward (①), the lower portion F2 moves downward (②), and the variable portion B and the upper portion F1 also move downward (③). If a driving force for moving the upper portion F1 and the straight-moving unit <NUM> is transmitted via the display assembly <NUM>, a significant load is applied to the display assembly <NUM>, so that there would be a risk of damage to the display panel. In addition, since the straight-moving unit <NUM> must be pushed up when switching from the second state to the first state, the transmission of the driving force is not smoother than when switching from the first state to the second state.

Accordingly, the second curved rail <NUM> may be formed on the moving plate <NUM> and the curved-moving unit <NUM> may further include the second guide protrusion <NUM> that is inserted into the second curved rail <NUM>. Thus, the curved-moving unit <NUM> and the straight-moving unit <NUM> are directly coupled to each other via the moving plate <NUM> and the first and second guide protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>. This structure enables the driving force applied to the curved-moving unit <NUM> to be effectively transmitted to the straight-moving unit <NUM>. The second guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed on an opposite side of the first guide protrusion <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams showing sliding operations of the straight-moving unit <NUM> and the curved-moving unit <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in <FIG>, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C'-C' in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the straight-moving unit <NUM> and the curved-moving unit <NUM> at an intermediate position between the first state and the second state.

Since the upper arm <NUM> connected onto the lower arm <NUM> is connected to the moving plate <NUM>, which is the straight-moving unit <NUM>, via the second guide protrusion <NUM> and the second curved rail <NUM>, the upper arm <NUM> may effectively transmit a force for pulling the moving plate <NUM> downward.

However, since the curved-moving unit <NUM> moves while drawing the curved line and the straight-moving unit <NUM> moves in a straight line in the vertical direction, the second curved rail <NUM> may be designed to offset a horizontal movement of the curved-moving unit <NUM> via the second curved rail <NUM> and transfer a force in the vertical direction to the moving plate <NUM>.

A pair of second curved rails <NUM> may be included as shown in <FIG>, which may be a front second curved rail 326a located at the front and a rear second curved rail 326b located at the rear. The second guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper arm <NUM> may also include a front second guide protrusion 344a moving along the front second curved rail 326a and a rear second guide protrusion 344b moving along the rear second curved rail 326b.

Since the curved-moving unit <NUM> moves while rotating, tilted angles of the upper arm <NUM> vary from the first state to the second state, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Since the curved-moving unit <NUM> protrudes while being tilted forward in the second state, the upper arm <NUM> constituting an upper side of the curved-moving unit <NUM> is tilted more vertically than in the first state.

Therefore, in response to the angle change of the upper arm <NUM>, a line B for connecting a lower end of the front second curved rail 326a and a lower end of the rear second curved rail 326b to each other is steeper than a line A for connecting an upper end of the front second curved rail 326a and an upper end of the rear second curved rail 326b to each other.

Both of the straight-moving unit <NUM> and the curved-moving unit <NUM> move in the vertical direction, but moving distances of upper and lower sides of the curved-moving unit <NUM> are different from each other. The lower side of the curved-moving unit <NUM> has a smaller vertical moving distance than the straight-moving unit <NUM>, but protrudes further forward instead. The upper side of the curved-moving unit <NUM>, e.g. the second guide protrusion <NUM>, may have a greater vertical moving distance than the straight-moving unit <NUM>.

Since the curved-moving unit <NUM> performs the vertical movement and the rotational movement at the same time, from a point where the curved-moving unit <NUM> is engaged with the pinion gear <NUM>, the vertical moving distances of the lower and upper ends are different from each other.

Therefore, the second curved rail <NUM> reflects a difference in motion trajectory between the straight-moving unit <NUM> and the curved-moving unit <NUM>, and thus, has a convex shape protruding rearwardly. The first curved rail <NUM> is formed on the vertical base <NUM> and is long, but the second curved rail <NUM> is formed on the moving plate <NUM> moving in the vertical direction and is shorter than the first curved rail <NUM>.

Peak points (or points of inflexion) P1 and P2 protruding rearward in the second curved rail <NUM> are different between the front second curved rail 326a and the rear second curved rail 326b. When the peak point P1 of the front second curved rail 326a and the peak point P2 of the rear second curved rail 326b are the same, it is difficult for the second guide protrusion <NUM> to move while changing a direction thereof (changing the direction to the forward direction) when arriving at the peak points P1 and P2.

When the rear second guide protrusion 344b reaches the peak of the rear second curved rail 326b, the front second curved rail 326a is still moving downward. Thus, the rear second guide protrusion 344b may pass the peak point P2 at the rear second curved rail 326b and move along the rear second curved rail 326b tilted forward.

As shown in <FIG>, when the front second guide protrusion 344a reaches the peak point P1 of the front second curved rail 326a, the upper arm <NUM> may move downward by a force of the rear second curved rail 326b moving downward, and the front second guide protrusion 344a may continue to move downward along the front second curved rail 326a.

In addition, the front second curved rail 326a may have a larger curvature than the rear second curved rail 326b. The front second curved rail 326a may have a smaller distance between its upper and lower ends than the rear second curved rail 326b. That is, a radius of curvature of the rear second curved rail 326b may be larger than a radius of curvature of the front second curved rail 326a, and a length of the rear second curved rail 326b may be greater than a length of the front second curved rail 326a. This is because a portion coupled to the lower arm <NUM>, e.g. the front second guide protrusion 344a, and an end of the upper arm <NUM>, e.g. the rear second guide protrusion 344b, have different moving trajectories.

When the second guide protrusion <NUM> arrives at a lower end of the second curved rail <NUM>, the first guide protrusion <NUM> also reaches a lower end of the first curved rail <NUM> and the state is switched to the second state. In the second state, the upper arm <NUM> may be steeper than in the first state and the lower arm <NUM> may protrude forward and may be tilted at an angle from the vertical direction.

Conversely, when the display assembly <NUM> moves upward reversely, the lower arm <NUM> may change in angle while moving upward, and the upper arm <NUM> may move along the second curved rail <NUM> and push the moving plate <NUM> upward, so that the upper portion of the display assembly <NUM> may move upward.

As such, a driving force of the curved-moving unit <NUM> may be directly transmitted to the straight-moving unit <NUM> via the second curved rail <NUM> to induce the upward movement of the display assembly <NUM>, thereby achieving the movement more stable than a structure of transferring a force to the straight-moving unit <NUM> via the display assembly <NUM>.

At least a part of the display device illustrated in the drawings may be disposed in the dashboard in the manner that a portion of the display assembly <NUM> is hidden inside the dashboard in the first state of the display device <NUM> and protrudes from the dashboard in the second state of the display device. The area of the protruded portion of the display assembly <NUM> may be adjusted suitable for information to be presented on the protruded portion. Power may be supplied only to the protruded portion of the display assembly <NUM> not to all of the display assembly <NUM>. This contributes to saving power consumption of the display device.

As explained above, the mechanism of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings guides the upper portion F1 of the display assembly <NUM> to move vertically and the lower portion F2 of the display assembly <NUM> to move downward and forward at the same time. In this illustrated mechanism, the curved-moving unit <NUM> and the straight-moving unit <NUM> are directly coupled to each other as explained above. Due to these functional and structural features of this illustrated mechanism, each of the curved-moving unit <NUM> and the straight-moving unit <NUM> have to include multiple components and somewhat complicated structures.

In a first alternative mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings), the curved-moving unit <NUM> may be not directly coupled to the straight-moving unit <NUM>, the driving unit may provide the power directly to the curved-moving unit <NUM>, and the straight-moving unit <NUM> may be pulled/pushed and forced to move by the pulling/pushing force of the lower portion F2. As a variation of this first alternative mechanism, the driving unit may provide the power directly to the straight-moving unit <NUM>, not to the curved-moving unit <NUM>. Then, the curved-moving unit <NUM> may be forced to move in accordance with the moving of the upper portion by the pulling/pushing force of the upper portion. In a second alternative mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings), the curved-moving unit <NUM> may be not directly coupled to the straight-moving unit <NUM>, and the curved-moving unit <NUM> and the straight-moving unit <NUM> are moved by two independent driving units <NUM>. In a third alternative mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings), the moving unit <NUM> may include the curved-moving unit <NUM> only, not the straight-moving unit <NUM>, which enables, at the second state, the lower portion F2 of the display assembly <NUM> to have a higher curvature and the upper portion F1 of the display assembly <NUM> to have a lower curvature.

In these alternative mechanisms, the curved-moving unit <NUM> and the straight-moving unit <NUM> may need much less components. For instance, in the first alternative mechanism, the curved-moving unit <NUM> may only include the lower arm <NUM> having an element to receive power from the driving unit <NUM>, and the straight-moving unit <NUM> may include the first front bracket <NUM> and the first guide block <NUM>. In the second alternative mechanism, the curved-moving unit <NUM> may only include the lower arm <NUM> having an element to receive power from the driving unit <NUM>, and the straight-moving unit <NUM> may include the first front bracket <NUM>, the first guide block <NUM> and an element to receive power from an additional driving unit. In the second alternative mechanism, the curved-moving unit <NUM> may only include the lower arm <NUM> which has an element to receive power from the driving unit <NUM> and extends substantially up to the upper portion F1 of the display assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram for explaining the vehicle to which the display device of the present invention can be applied.

The vehicle <NUM> may include a user interface apparatus <NUM>. The user interface apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus for communication between the vehicle and a user, e.g. a driver. The user interface apparatus <NUM> may receive a user input and provide information generated in the vehicle to the user. The user interface apparatus <NUM> may include an input unit <NUM>, an internal camera <NUM>, a biometric sensing unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM> and a processor <NUM>.

The user interface apparatus <NUM> may include a plurality of processors <NUM> or may not include any processor <NUM>. When the processor <NUM> is not included in the user interface apparatus <NUM>, the user interface apparatus <NUM> may operate according to a control of a processor of another apparatus within the vehicle <NUM> or a main controller <NUM>. Meanwhile, the user interface apparatus <NUM> may operate according to the control of the main controller <NUM>.

The display device of the present invention may correspond to the user interface apparatus <NUM> and thus may operate according to an input signal provided from the controller <NUM> or at least one of the other devices or units in the vehicle.

The vehicle may further comprise a sensing unit <NUM> which can sense various states of the vehicle. The sensing unit <NUM> may include different kinds of sensors. The sensing unit <NUM> may acquire sensing signals with respect to vehicle-related information, such as a posture, a collision, an orientation, a position (GPS information), an angle, a speed, an acceleration, a tilt, a forward/backward movement, a battery, a fuel, tires, lamps, internal temperature, internal humidity, a rotated angle of a steering wheel, external illumination, pressure applied to an accelerator, pressure applied to a brake pedal and the like. An input signal indicating a state of the vehicle sensed by the sensing unit <NUM> may be provided to the display device.

The vehicle may further comprise the main controller <NUM>. The main controller <NUM> can control a vehicle operating apparatus <NUM> for electrically controlling operations of various devices within the vehicle and/or control an operation system <NUM> for controlling various driving modes of the vehicle. An input signal indicating a state of the vehicle corresponding to the operations of various devices within the vehicle and/or the various driving modes of the vehicle may be also provided to the display device.

The display device of the present invention may change its shape according to this input signal received.

As an embodiment, when the display device receives an input signal indicating that the vehicle is in use (for instance, a door of the vehicle is being opened, a person is sitting on a driver's seat, the car engine or motor is turned on, or the vehicle is in motion), the display device may become bent, and otherwise the display device may become flat. Since the display device changes its shape according to a state of the vehicle, users can notice a current state of the vehicle in a simple and intuitive way from the shape of the display device. In addition, this bent shape of the display device provides the advantage of not obstructing a driver's view forward through the wind shield. Further, since a particular region in a screen of the bent display device may provide a convenient view angle for the driver, that particular region may be utilized to effectively deliver information on a current state of the vehicle even by a driver's glance at the display device.

Alternatively, the display device of the present invention may change its shape according to an input signal indicating driving modes. For instance, when the display device receives an input signal indicating that the vehicle is on a manual mode, the display device may become bent, and otherwise (e.g. an autonomous mode or an assisted mode) the display device may become flat. In the manual mode, the driver has to carefully look forward through the wind shield and at the same time watch the display device to get driving information quickly. The bent display device can be more beneficial in this manual mode since the bent display device does not obstruct the driver's view and a particular region of the bent display device can provide a more convenient view angle for the driver.

As a variation, the opposite is also possible. That is, when the display device receives an input signal indicating that the vehicle is on a manual mode, the display device may become flat, and otherwise the display device may become bent. This variation also provides the advantage that the driver can quickly notice and react to the change from an autonomous or assisted mode to a manual mode on the basis of the shape of the display device.

Claim 1:
A display device for a vehicle, comprising:
a fixing unit (<NUM>);
a moving unit (<NUM>) movably coupled to the fixing unit (<NUM>) and configured to switch a state of the display device from a first state to a second state; and
a display assembly (<NUM>) coupled to the moving unit, configured to move together with the moving unit, and including a variable portion (B), wherein the variable portion (B) becomes flat in the first state and bent in the second state,
wherein the display assembly (<NUM>) includes:
a flexible display panel (<NUM>);
a living hinge (<NUM>) located on a rear surface of the flexible display panel (<NUM>) and capable of being deformed corresponding to the bending of the variable portion (B);
characterized by a sheet (<NUM>) coupled to a rear surface of the living hinge (<NUM>) and configured to limit a maximum bending curvature of the variable portion (B) while covering grooves (<NUM>),
wherein the sheet (<NUM>) is formed with wrinkles in the first state and is unfolded in the second state.