Flexible Display Screen Rolling Mechanism for Portable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Larger display screens on electronic devices make them inconvenient to carry and are prone to damage when fully retracted, as most of the screen is rolled on a rotating shaft, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring a first and second housing with a flexible display screen connected via elastic pieces, where the screen rolls around a rotating shaft, allowing expansion and contraction to increase display area while minimizing damage through tension and damping mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display screen is made larger to improve visual effect, then the visual experience is improved, but the device becomes inconvenient to carry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay screen areaVSAvoidcarrying convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen transitions from a static fixed size to a dynamic variable size through rolling mechanisms. The screen can be rolled around rotating shafts to reduce the device footprint when not in use, and unrolled to provide a large display area when needed, making the device both portable and visually impressive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen is rolled and stored within the device housing like a nested structure. When retracted, the screen wraps around rotating shafts and nests inside the housing, creating a compact form factor. When extended, the screen unfolds to provide full display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the display screen is fully retracted to minimize device size, then portability is improved, but the display screen is damaged due to excessive rolling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddisplay screen durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing complete retraction of the display screen, the mechanism is designed to stop at a partial retraction point. The rotating shafts are positioned such that the screen rolls partially around them, achieving sufficient size reduction for portability while maintaining a safety margin that prevents complete rolling and potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism incorporates built-in mechanical stops and positioning features that prevent over-rolling of the display screen. These protective elements are designed in advance to cushion against excessive retraction, ensuring the screen never reaches a state where it could be damaged by complete rolling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Volume of moving object

If the display screen is rolled around the rotating shaft to reduce size, then the device size is reduced, but wrinkles are formed on the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidscreen surface flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is designed with differentiated local properties - the central display area maintains high flatness and quality for viewing, while the peripheral areas that contact the rotating shafts during rolling are designed to accommodate curvature and folding without compromising the overall display quality. This local differentiation allows rolling without permanent damage to the critical display region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design enhances user experience by providing a larger display area when needed and preventing damage to the screen through controlled expansion and contraction, maintaining the screen in an unfolded state and reducing wrinkles.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic piece, where a first end of the first elastic piece is connected to the second housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the flexible display screen is in rolling contact with the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS12114443B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

This invention discloses an electronic device, including a first housing; a second housing, where the second housing is slidably connected to the first housing; a first elastic piece, where a first end of the first elastic piece is connected to the second housing; a flexible display screen, where a first end of the flexible display screen is connected to a second end of the first elastic piece, a second end of the flexible display screen is connected to the first housing, and the first housing can drive the second end of the flexible display screen to move; a rotating shaft, where the rotating shaft is rotatably disposed in the second housing, the flexible display screen is in rolling contact with the rotating shaft, and the first housing can drive the flexible display screen to move around the rotating shaft.