Flexible Screen State Detection via Rotating Shaft Magnet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Determining the state of a flexible screen in electronic devices is challenging, as existing technologies lack effective methods for accurately detecting changes in screen position, posture, or attitude, particularly when folded or unfolded.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic field sensor system is employed, comprising at least two sensing elements, such as Hall elements, and a magnet with vertically aligned magnetic poles fixed on a rotating shaft, which detects magnetic field changes to determine the screen's state by measuring magnetic field intensity and direction, allowing for accurate rotation angle determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetic field sensor system with multiple sensing elements is used to detect magnetic field changes, then the measurement precision of screen state is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen state detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field sensor is divided into multiple sensing elements (at least two Hall elements) arranged in specific orientations. Each sensing element detects magnetic field components in different directions, allowing the system to determine the rotation angle and screen state with higher precision by analyzing the combined signals from multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces detection of magnetic fields in multiple directions (spatial dimensions) by arranging Hall elements with different orientations. This multi-dimensional detection approach enables accurate determination of rotation angles and screen states that cannot be achieved with single-direction sensing, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical structures.

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

2Measurement precision

If Hall elements are arranged with mutually vertical extension directions to detect magnetic fields in different directions, then the measurement precision of rotation angle is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation angle detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor element alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the Hall effect parameter change in response to magnetic field orientation. By arranging Hall elements with mutually vertical extension directions, the system detects changes in magnetic field components along different axes. The rotation angle is determined by analyzing the parameter changes (Hall voltages) from these oriented elements, achieving precise measurement while maintaining manufacturability through standard sensor fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables convenient data processing based on the screen's state by accurately detecting the rotation angle of the flexible screen, improving the implementation of state detection for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

the sensing elements may be Hall elements; extension directions of the at least two Hall elements may be mutually vertical; and the at least one detection parameter may include a Hall voltage sensed by the Hall element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3889733B1Methods and devices for detecting state of flexible screen, electronic device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3889733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889733B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3889733B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and device for detecting a state of a flexible screen, an electronic device and a storage medium. The electronic device (100) includes: a flexible screen (110); a rotating shaft (120), positioned on a back surface (112) of the flexible screen (110) and configured to change a state of the flexible screen (110) through rotation of the rotating shaft (120); a magnet (130), at least partially fixed on the rotating shaft (120), a connecting direction of two magnetic poles of the magnet (130) being vertical to an axial direction of the rotating shaft (120); and a magnetic field sensor (140), positioned on the back surface (112) of the flexible screen (110) and configured to detect a magnetic field formed by the magnet (130) moving together with the rotating shaft (120) and obtain a detection parameter indicating the state of the flexible screen (110).