Flexible Display Tension Structure for Slide-Out Surface Quality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with deformable slidable structures face challenges in maintaining surface quality due to lifting and increased frictional forces, especially when the flexible display's bending radius is reduced for slim design, leading to user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A tension-maintaining structure that uniformly tensions the flexible display by pulling both ends, using a pressing member for slide-out and a locker for slide-in, enhancing operational convenience and surface quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the bending radius of curvature of the flexible display is reduced to slim down the electronic device, then the device thickness is reduced, but the pulling force and frictional force increase causing surface quality deterioration and lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidsurface quality and lifting
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tension maintaining structure applies preliminary counteracting force to the lifting phenomenon caused by the flexible display's reaction force. The structure includes tension maintaining members (such as tension belts or springs) that are pre-configured to apply uniform tension across the flexible display, preventing surface quality deterioration before it occurs during slide-in and slide-out operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The tension maintaining structure acts as an intermediary between the flexible display and the slide structure. It includes components such as tension belts, springs, or dampers that are positioned between the flexible display and the housing to distribute and uniformize the tension forces, thereby preventing localized lifting and surface quality issues while enabling the slim design with reduced bending radius.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a greater force is applied by an elastic member (e.g., torsion spring) to press the slide structure in slide-out direction, then the slide-out operation is improved, but user operation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslide-out operationVSAvoiduser operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member (such as a torsion spring) is designed with dynamic characteristics that provide variable force during operation. The spring is configured to exert greater force when needed (during slide-out) but allows for easier return (during slide-in), creating a dynamic balance that improves reliability without permanently compromising user convenience. The spring constant and pre-load are optimized to provide assistance during outward sliding while maintaining manageable return force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member operates in a periodic manner, providing force assistance during the slide-out phase and allowing passive return during the slide-in phase. This periodic action pattern ensures that the elastic force is applied at the appropriate moment in the operation cycle, improving slide-out reliability while minimizing impact on overall user convenience by not continuously resisting user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 tension-maintaining structure ensures excellent surface quality and improved user convenience by maintaining consistent tension during slide-in and slide-out operations, preventing lifting and ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member interconnecting the tension belt and the bendable member such that the tension belt and the bendable member have a mutually pulling tensile force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4187350B1Electronic device having tension-maintaining structure
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4187350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4187350B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4187350B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include: a base bracket including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and at least one first roller and at least one second roller which are respectively rotatably arranged at opposite ends thereof; a slide bracket corresponding to the first surface and slidably coupled to the base bracket; a bendable member connected to an end of the slide bracket and arranged to be at least partially slid in the inner space through a sliding operation of the slide bracket; a flexible display including a first area fixed to the slide bracket and a second area extending from the first area and fixed to the bendable member; a tension belt wound around the at least one second roller to be at least partially supported thereby and having one end fixed to the slide bracket and the other end fixed to the bendable member; and a first elastic member which allows the tension belt and the bendable member to be connected to have a tensile force to pull each other.