Flexible Display Sliding Mechanism Antenna Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in expanding display area without compromising portability, particularly in slidable types where the sliding structure moves relative to a fixed structure, affecting the exposure area of the flexible display.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device utilizes a side cover as an antenna radiator by incorporating an antenna contact structure, where at least part of the side cover passes through a guide rail, allowing for an expanded display area while maintaining portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a guide rail is disposed to face a side cover that operates as an antenna radiator, then the sliding structure can move relative to the fixed structure to expand the display area, but the antenna radiation function may be compromised due to interference from the guide rail structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidantenna radiation function
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is divided into a first guide rail and a second guide rail that are disposed at different positions. The first guide rail is positioned to avoid interfering with the antenna radiation, while the second guide rail provides the necessary sliding guidance. This segmentation allows the sliding structure to function without compromising the antenna radiation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails are disposed in different spatial dimensions and orientations. By positioning the guide rails at different locations and angles, the design creates three-dimensional spatial separation that allows both the sliding mechanism and antenna radiation to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the side cover passes through the guide rail to implement antenna contact structure, then the antenna radiation function is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna radiation functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side cover serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component that passes through the guide rail and as an antenna radiator. By making the side cover multi-functional, the design reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while improving antenna radiation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna contact structure is merged with the side cover and guide rail assembly. Rather than adding a separate antenna mechanism, the design combines the antenna radiation function with existing structural elements, reducing overall structural complexity while achieving reliable antenna radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4167050B1Electronic apparatus comprising flexible display
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4167050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4167050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4167050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment comprises: a first structure; a second structure slidably coupled to the first structure in a first direction or an opposite direction to the first direction; a display of which a partial area is arranged in the second structure so as to move together with the second structure, and of which at least part of a remaining area is positioned in the first structure, wherein the size of an area of the display that forms the front surface of the electronic apparatus changes in response to the sliding motion of the second structure; and a plurality of substrates which are arranged in the first structure and include at least one printed circuit board, wherein the first structure may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and used as an antenna radiator. Various other embodiments identified through the specification are possible.