Flexible Display Slide Mechanism for Hidden Component Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices face challenges in maximizing the screen-to-body ratio while accommodating additional components like cameras and sensors without increasing the assembly space, which limits their design flexibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible display system that integrates a first and second display portion, which can slide relative to a slide rail and engage with a gear mechanism, allowing the display to retract and extend, thereby exposing hidden regions for functional components while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a display screen is disposed on one surface with other components (camera, sensor, receiver) in the same surface, then the assembly space is occupied, but the screen-to-body ratio cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves components from the 2D surface plane to the 3D depth dimension by creating a hidden region through relative movement of the first and second displays. The receiver, camera, and sensor are positioned in this hidden region that is formed when the second display slides relative to the first display, thereby separating component placement from the visible screen area and enabling higher screen-to-body ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic sliding mechanism where the first and second displays can move relative to each other along a sliding direction. This dynamic structure allows the hidden region to be formed or eliminated based on operational needs, enabling the components to be exposed or concealed while maintaining a compact form factor, thus resolving the space occupation issue.
2Quantity of substance
If the device thickness is increased to accommodate components, then component space is available, but the lightweight and thin design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the receiver, camera, and sensor within the layered structure formed by the first and second displays. The components are positioned in the hidden region that exists between or behind the display layers, allowing them to be accommodated within the existing device thickness without requiring additional thickness, thus maintaining the thin design while providing component space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If components are exposed on the front surface, then functionality is improved, but the operational area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism allows the system to dynamically switch between two states: when the second display is in the first position, the hidden region exposes the receiver, camera, and sensor for functionality; when the second display slides to the second position, the hidden region is eliminated and the operational area is restored. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by making the component exposure temporary and context-dependent.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes a body and a flexible display. The body is provided with a slide rail and includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a side surface coupling the first and second surfaces. The flexible display is disposed on the body and includes a first and a second display portion. The first display portion is mounted with a bracket, and the bracket slides relative to the slide rail to switch the flexible display between a retracted state and a slide-out state. When in the retracted state, the first display portion covers the first surface and the side surface, and the second display portion covers at least a part of the second surface; wherein when switched to the slide-out state, a free end of the first display portion approaches the side surface to expose a hidden region of the first surface.