Flexible Display Sliding Drive for Reduced Device Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible displays in electronic devices face stability issues while increasing thickness, as they require additional space and compromise portability due to fixed aspect ratios and sizes, and existing mechanisms like protrusions, chains, and rollers lead to instability and increased size.

Innovation Solution

A flexible display system with a driving mechanism that allows the display to slide between positions, changing its aspect ratio and size, using a motor, air cylinder, or hydraulic cylinder to drive the display between a first and second position, with a guide groove and flexible drive strip to ensure stability and reduce thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a protrusion and recess mechanism is used to drive the flexible display, then the display can be driven to move, but the device thickness increases and engagement stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay movement capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drive belt from the traditional protrusion-recess mechanism and integrates it directly into the housing structure. The drive belt is formed as a continuous loop that engages with the flexible display without requiring additional protruding components, thereby eliminating the need for extra thickness while maintaining driving capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the drive belt with the housing structure, where the drive belt is formed as an integral part of the housing rather than a separate component. This integration eliminates the need for additional protrusions and recesses, reducing device thickness while maintaining the driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a chain transmission mechanism is used to drive the flexible display, then the display can be driven to move, but the device size and weight increase and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay movement capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chain transmission mechanism with a direct drive belt system that integrates with the housing structure. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy chain components and sprockets, significantly reducing device weight while maintaining the flexible display driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If rollers and carrier tracks are used to gear-engage the rollers, then the display can be driven to move, but the device thickness increases and engagement stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay movement capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex roller-and-carrier-track engagement system and replaces it with a simplified drive belt that directly engages the flexible display. This extraction eliminates the need for additional rollers and carrier tracks, reducing device thickness while maintaining driving capability and engagement stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4240123B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4240123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4240123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4240123B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application discloses an electronic device and relates to the field of communication technologies. The electronic device includes: a housing, where the housing is provided with a first surface and a second surface that are back away from each other; a flexible display, where the flexible display is disposed on the housing, and the flexible display includes a first portion; and a driving mechanism, where the driving mechanism is disposed in the housing, the driving mechanism is connected to the flexible display, and the driving mechanism drives the flexible display to slide between a first position and a second position. In a case that the flexible display is located at the first position, the first portion is located on a side on which the first surface is located; and in a case that the flexible display is located at the second position, the flexible display is bent and the first portion slides to a side on which the second surface is located.