Flexible Display Length Adjustment Mechanism for Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flip-type mobile communication terminals have limited display sizes, leading to inconvenient viewing experiences and touch recognition errors due to small icon sizes when trying to view images or perform touch inputs.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication terminal with a flexible display that is continuously held in a tight state without being folded or bent, utilizing a length-adjusting assembly with a biasing member and guide grooves to adjust the display's length, allowing it to cover both upper and lower display regions and the hinge area, thereby increasing the display size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display size is increased to improve viewing experience, then the display area is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display is stored within the upper main body when not in use, with only a portion exposed at the front surface. The display can be pulled out to expand the visible area while remaining contained within the device boundaries when retracted, creating a nested configuration that increases display area without permanently increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The display transitions from a static fixed-size configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration. Users can pull the flexible display to expand it for viewing and then retract it using the length-adjusting assembly, allowing the display area to change based on usage needs while maintaining a compact form when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the display size is increased to reduce touch recognition errors, then the icon size is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch recognition accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display with larger area is stored within the upper main body when not in use. When users need to perform touch operations, they can pull the display to expand it, providing larger icons and better touch recognition accuracy only when needed, while maintaining a compact structure during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The display area dynamically adjusts based on operational requirements. During touch operations, the expanded display provides larger icons for accurate recognition, while during storage or non-use periods, the display retracts to maintain device portability without permanently increasing size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of moving object

If the flexible display is allowed to fold or bend to adjust length, then the display area is improved, but the display quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration through pulling and retracting mechanisms rather than folding. The flexible display is pulled horizontally to expand the visible area and then automatically retracts using the biasing member, eliminating repeated folding and bending that would degrade display quality over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The length-adjusting assembly with guide grooves and biasing member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flexible display and the housing. This mechanism controls the display's movement through horizontal pulling and automatic retraction, preventing direct folding and bending of the display while still allowing area adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible display can be automatically adjusted to provide a larger viewing area without being folded or bent, enhancing user experience by increasing the display size and reducing touch recognition errors.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member to automatically adjust the length of the flexible display in the longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

guide grooves to guide the flexible display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2403222B1Mobile communication terminal with flexible display
Publication Date: 2013.04.03 PANTECH CO LTD
  • EP2403222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2403222B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2403222B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A flip-type mobile communication terminal includes a first main body, a second main body coupled to the first main body; a flexible display; a connection member connected to the flexible display; and a length-adjusting assembly to adjust length of the flexible display.