Translating Flexible Display Haptics Without Crumpling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable electronic devices with clamshell or slider configurations face challenges in achieving a compact geometric form factor while providing a larger display surface area and improved user interface features.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display integrated into a blade assembly that translates around a single device housing, allowing for an extended, retracted, and peek positions, and delivers haptic feedback through oscillatory motion in response to user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a clamshell or slider configuration is used, then the device is smaller in closed position, but the device becomes bulky when closed due to requiring two device housings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice size in closed positionVSAvoidnumber of device housings

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display housing and the keyboard housing into a single integrated housing structure. The flexible display is mounted on the display housing portion, and the keyboard is mounted on the keyboard housing portion, with both portions forming one unified device housing. This eliminates the need for two separate housings while maintaining the transformable form factor capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a transformable device where the housing can dynamically change its configuration between extended and collapsed states through a hinge mechanism. This dynamic transformation allows the single housing to provide different form factors (compact when collapsed, expanded when extended) without requiring multiple discrete housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If a flexible display is integrated into a transformable device, then the display area can be expanded, but the flexible display may crumple or pillow during transformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay surface areaVSAvoiddisplay flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a tensioning force to the flexible display before transformation occurs, pre-tensioning the display to prevent it from sagging or crumpling during the transformation process. This preliminary action ensures the display maintains its flatness throughout the extended and collapsed transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different structural characteristics in different regions of the display assembly. The flexible display has a first portion mounted on the display housing and a second portion that extends over the keyboard housing, with each portion experiencing different mechanical stresses. This localized structural differentiation allows the display to maintain flatness in critical areas while accommodating transformation movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12602082B2Electronic devices with translating flexible displays and corresponding methods for providing haptic feedback

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A method in an electronic device includes receiving, by a flexible display carried by a blade assembly that is slidably coupled to a device housing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, user input. The method then delivers, by a translation mechanism in response to the user input, haptic feedback by causing the blade assembly to translate relative to the device housing with an oscillatory motion.