Flexible Display Frame Guide Rail Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals with flexible displays face challenges in maintaining a stable structure when extended, leading to potential separation or sagging of the display unit from the frame, which affects usability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring a first and second frame that move relative to each other, with a flexible display bent to surround the second frame, and a guide rail and hook mechanism to secure the display frame, ensuring it remains flat and supported when extended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display is used to enable size variation, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize variationVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into multiple frames (first frame, second frame, third frame) that can move relative to each other. The flexible display is segmented into a first region coupled to the first frame, a second region coupled to the third frame, and a third region bent to surround the second frame. This segmentation allows each frame and display region to function independently while maintaining overall structural integrity during size variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display frame acts as an intermediary component between the flexible display and the frames. It is bendably coupled to the rear surface of the third region of the display and includes guide hooks that engage with guide rails on the second frame. This intermediary structure provides stable support and guidance while allowing the flexible display to maintain its size variation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of moving object

If the display unit is extended, then area is improved, but separation from frame occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display frame serves as a mediator between the flexible display and the frames. It includes guide hooks that engage with guide rails formed on the second frame, providing continuous guidance and support as the display extends. This intermediary structure prevents separation while allowing the display area to increase during extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails are pre-formed on the second frame, and the guide hooks are pre-positioned on the display frame. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the display unit is extended, the engagement mechanism is already in place to prevent separation, maintaining attachment reliability throughout the extension process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of moving object

If the display unit is extended, then area is improved, but sagging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddisplay flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display frame acts as a supporting intermediary between the flexible display and the frames. It is bendably coupled to the rear surface of the third region of the display and extends to provide backing support. This intermediary structure prevents sagging by distributing the weight and maintaining the display's shape during extension, while still allowing the display area to increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a support structure is added, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to prevent sagging, guides movement through hook-rail engagement to prevent separation, and allows bending to accommodate the flexible display's curvature. By combining these functions into a single component, the support structure complexity is minimized while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is merged with the display frame itself rather than being a separate component. The guide hooks are integrated into the display frame, and the bending capability is inherent to the frame's design. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while providing the necessary stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3846423B1Mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2022.11.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Disclosed in a mobile terminal including a first frame, a second frame movable from the first frame in a first direction, a third frame movable in the first direction with respect to the second frame, a flexible display including a first region coupled to the first frame, a second region coupled to the third frame, and a third region bendably disposed between the first region and the second region, and a display frame bendably coupled to a rear surface of the third region. The second frame includes a side portion positioned facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and a guide rail formed on the side portion. The display frame has a guide hook inserted into the guide rail. Even when the display is extended, the mobile terminal may keep the display flat and prevent the display unit from being separated or sagging from the frame.