Flexible Display Gear Release for Safe Manual Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in expanding or contracting the display size without power, especially when exposed to various environments, which can damage internal components.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a first and second housing, where the second housing is movably coupled to the first, allowing the display to slide in or out. This design includes a motor, driving gear, pinion gear, and a switching structure that can change between a gear-connected and gear-released state, allowing manual operation without damaging components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display is made expandable/contractible through motor-driven gear mechanisms, then the display size adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple gears and switching structures
Solution Approach 1:
The gear mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: driving gear, pinion gear, and switching structure with release gear. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex motion control to be broken down into manageable segments that can be independently manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching structure enables dynamic reconfiguration of the gear train, allowing the system to transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability provides adaptability for different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
2Ease of operation
If the gear mechanism operates continuously without power, then the ease of operation is improved for manual adjustment, but the reliability decreases due to potential damage to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The switching structure acts as an intermediary between the user's manual operation and the gear mechanism. When activated, it engages the release gear to disconnect the driving gear from the pinion gear, preventing direct transmission of potentially damaging forces to internal components while still allowing manual movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching structure provides preliminary protection by preemptively disconnecting the gear train before damaging forces can be transmitted to internal components. This preventive mechanism ensures that manual operations cannot inadvertently damage the motor or gear teeth.
3Reliability
If the switching structure is added to protect components during manual operation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it controls engagement/disengagement of the gear train, protects internal components from damage, and enables manual operation. This consolidation achieves reliable component protection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables the electronic device to move its housing without power, preventing damage to internal components and allowing for smooth expansion or contraction of the display in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a motor disposed in the first housing; at least one driving gear rotatable by the motor
Implementation Method 2
a rack gear disposed in the second housing, engaged with the at least one pinion gear and movable by the rotation of the at least one pinion gear
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a first housing; a second housing disposed movably with respect to the first housing; a display disposed on the second housing and expanded or contracted as the second housing moves; a motor; a pinion gear disposed in the first housing and rotatable by receiving driving force from the motor; a rack gear disposed in the second housing, engaged with the at least one pinion gear and movable by the rotation of the at least one pinion gear; a switching structure disposed between the motor and the pinion gear, and changeable to a gear-connected state, or a gear-released state, an actuator disposed in the first housing, configured to change a state of the switching structure; and at least one processor operably coupled to the motor and the actuator, and the processor may be configured to change the switching structure to the gear-connected state or the gear-released state through the actuator based on identifying the designated event.