Flexible Display Rolling Guide Structure for Mounting Space Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Slidable electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in securing mounting space for other components when transitioning from a slide-out to a slide-in state, as a portion of the flexible display remains unfolded, obstructing space for other components.

Innovation Solution

A display rolling guide structure that guides a portion of the flexible display into the housing in a rolling manner, ensuring efficient space utilization and smooth unfolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the flexible display is accommodated in the inner space of the housing in a slide-in state, then the display area is reduced for portability, but mounting space for other electronic components is insufficient because a portion of the flexible display remains unfolded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible display is nested within the housing structure through a rolling guide mechanism. When transitioning to the slide-in state, the flexible display rolls up and is accommodated within the inner space of the housing, similar to how a nested doll places smaller objects inside larger containers. This ensures complete retraction of the display without obstructing mounting space for other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic rolling guide structure that enables the flexible display to transition between unfolded and rolled states. The rolling guide includes movable components that allow the display to dynamically adjust its configuration, ensuring smooth rolling motion and complete retraction into the housing, thereby resolving the contradiction between display area and mounting space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the flexible display is rolled into the housing, then mounting space is secured, but the rolling motion may be unstable without proper guidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting spaceVSAvoidrolling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling guide structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flexible display and the housing. It provides guided pathways and support structures that ensure the flexible display rolls smoothly and stably into the housing without unpredictable movements. The rolling guide includes guide rails, rollers, or other intermediary components that maintain controlled rolling motion, thereby ensuring reliability while securing mounting space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4220337B1Electronic device including display rolling guide structure
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4220337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220337B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4220337B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include a housing; a bendable member accommodated in an inner space of the housing in a slide-in state; a flexible display disposed on the bendable member; and a rolling guide structure for accommodating the bendable member and the flexible display in a rolling manner, wherein the rolling guide structure includes a guide bracket including a guide hole having a spiral shape, a first gear disposed to be rotatable according to a movement of the bendable member, at least one interlocking gear rotatably disposed to receive rotational force transferred from the first gear, a second gear rotatably disposed to receive rotational force transferred from the at least one interlocking gear,a hooking hole formed to have a length in a radial direction from the center at a designated position of the second gear as a hooking structure for moving the bendable member through rotation of the second gear,and ahooking structure including a hooking protrusion protruding from at least a portion of the bendable member and disposed to be hooked in the hooking hole,wherein the hooking protrusion is movable along the hooking hole by rotation of the second gear.