Flexible Display Screen Rail Control to Prevent Sliding Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with flexible display screens face challenges in accurately controlling the expansion and retraction of the display area, leading to issues such as bulging, swelling, and distortion during sliding operations.

Innovation Solution

A sliding rail mechanism with a driving mechanism, displacement sensor, and control mechanism are employed to precisely control the movement of a flexible display screen between expanded and retracted states, using Hall sensors and a driving motor to manage the sliding rail's displacement and ensure smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable screen structure or retractable screen structure is used to enlarge or reduce the display area, then the product experience is improved, but the screen may bulge, swell, or distort during sliding operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area adjustmentVSAvoidscreen flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into a fixed screen portion and a movable screen portion that can independently slide relative to each other. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be controlled precisely along the sliding direction without affecting the overall screen flatness, resolving the contradiction between display area adaptability and screen flatness maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor is introduced to detect the position of the movable screen portion in real-time and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the sliding position based on this feedback, ensuring precise control and preventing screen distortion during expansion and retraction operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Area of moving object

If the display area is enlarged by extending the screen, then the viewing experience is improved, but frictional power loss increases during sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidfrictional power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical sliding structure is replaced with a magnetic field-based driving mechanism. The first magnetic field generating unit and second magnetic field generating unit create magnetic forces to drive the movable screen portion, eliminating mechanical contact and significantly reducing frictional power loss during screen expansion and retraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a simple sliding mechanism is used for screen expansion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision of screen movement is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding mechanismVSAvoidscreen position control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor is introduced to detect the position of the movable screen portion in real-time and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the sliding position based on this feedback, ensuring precise control without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the control unit and the movable screen portion. The magnetic field acts as a contactless mediator to transmit driving force and position information, enabling precise control while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

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 solution ensures the flexible display screen remains flat and prevents visual distortions during expansion and retraction, maintaining a stable display performance with reduced frictional power loss.

Implementation Method 1

the displacement sensor includes a Hall magnet and a plurality of Hall sensors electrically connected to the controller, the Hall magnet is provided at one of the sliding rail mechanism and the first housing, and the plurality of Hall sensors are provided at the other of the sliding rail mechanism and the first housing; the sliding rail mechanism is configured to move relative to the first housing, and the plurality of Hall sensors are configured to obtain the displacement change of the sliding rail mechanism relative to the first housing by sensing a magnetic field change of the Hall magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4109209B1Electronic device with flexible display screen
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4109209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4109209B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4109209B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An electronic device with a flexible display screen includes a first housing and a second housing enclosed to form a receiving structure with an opening. A sliding rail mechanism is connected to the second housing, and is slidably provided on the first housing along a first direction. The flexible display screen has a first end connected with the sliding rail mechanism and a second end connected with the first housing to cover the opening. A driving mechanism is connected to the first housing, and connected to the sliding rail mechanism for driving the sliding rail mechanism to move. A control mechanism includes a displacement sensor for measuring displacement change of the sliding rail mechanism relative to the first housing; and a controller provided at the first housing and configured to control a first stroke amount that the sliding rail mechanism moves along the first direction according to the displacement change.