Flexible Display Rail Drive for Compact Rollable Sliding Phones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding-type rollable electronic devices face challenges in expanding or contracting their displays without damaging the flexible display or internal components, and the spatial constraints within the device limit the arrangement of motor modules for automatic expansion/contraction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a driving unit with a pinion engaged with a rail unit, featuring multiple motor modules on the same rotation shaft, allowing for efficient sliding movement of the display while maintaining compactness and avoiding increased device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor module is added to automatically expand or contract the display, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor modules onto a single rotation shaft, merging their functions into a unified driving mechanism. This allows the display expansion/contraction to be automatically controlled while sharing common structural elements (shaft, housing), thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation shaft serves multiple functions: it supports multiple motor modules, transmits rotational motion to the pinion gear, and provides a common mounting structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, addressing the contradiction between automation and complexity
2Power
If multiple motor modules are arranged in parallel inside the housing, then the driving force is improved, but the space for printed circuit board and battery becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging motor modules in parallel (occupying horizontal space), the patent positions them along the rotation shaft axis (utilizing the rotational dimension). This dimensional reorganization allows multiple motors to coexist without blocking the horizontal space needed for PCB and battery installation, maintaining both driving force and internal volume
3Productivity
If the display is made larger, then the productivity is improved, but the portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display system that can change its effective size on demand. The display can be expanded when productivity is needed (for multimedia, web browsing) and contracted when portability is prioritized. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to optimize between screen size and portability based on usage context, resolving the fixed trade-off between these parameters
4Ease of operation
If manual pressure is applied to expand or contract the flexible display, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressing operation with an automated motor-driven system. The motor modules rotate the pinion gear, which translates rotational motion into linear motion to expand or contract the display. This substitution eliminates direct user contact with the flexible display, preventing damage while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
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
This solution enhances user convenience by automating the display expansion/contraction process, improves spatial mountability of components within the device, and reduces the overall size and thickness of the electronic device.
Implementation Method 1
a driving unit comprising circuitry disposed in the second housing and configured to provide power for sliding the first housing; a rail unit including a rail configured to receive the power from the driving unit and to move together with the first housing based on the first housing sliding, wherein the driving unit includes a pinion engaged with the rail of the rail unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a first housing capable of being slid; a second housing; a flexible display including a first region mounted on one surface of the first housing and a second region extending from the first region, wherein the second region is at least partially accommodated inside the first housing or the second housing or exposed to an outside of the first housing or the second housing based on a sliding movement of the first housing; a driving unit disposed in the second housing and configured to provide power for sliding the first housing; and a rail unit including a rail configured to receive the power from the driving unit and to move together with the first housing when the first housing slides.