Foldable Mobile Terminal Mechanism With V-Shaped Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable mobile terminal mechanisms suffer from high complexity and deformation issues, leading to impaired exterior effects due to mechanical linkage mechanisms, which cannot accommodate large deformations without deforming the exterior of the device.

Innovation Solution

A foldable mechanism utilizing a soft support structure with V-shaped supports and a hard support structure, combined with a blocking layer that compresses and unfolds to form a C-shaped structure, supporting the flexible display screen and maintaining exterior consistency during bending and unfolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical linkage mechanism is used to implement folding, then the folding function is achieved, but the structure complexity increases and the exterior effect is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple V-shaped support units arranged in parallel. Each V-shaped support is an independent structural element that can deform individually, allowing the entire structure to achieve large deformations through coordinated movement of simple segments rather than complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses V-shaped supports made of flexible materials that can bend and deform elastically. These flexible structural elements replace rigid mechanical linkages, enabling the folding function through material flexibility rather than complex mechanical joints, thereby simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical linkage mechanism is used to implement folding, then the folding function is achieved, but the exterior effect is impaired due to unavoidable deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidexterior effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The V-shaped supports are designed as flexible structural elements that can deform elastically during folding. This flexibility allows the support structure to adapt its shape during folding while maintaining a smooth, continuous exterior appearance, avoiding the visible mechanical joints and abrupt deformations characteristic of traditional mechanical linkage mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic flexible form during folding. The V-shaped supports can dynamically adjust their shape and position, allowing the exterior surface to maintain continuity and smoothness throughout the folding motion, thereby preserving aesthetic appearance while enabling folding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the foldable mechanism is bent, then the folding function is achieved, but gaps may appear between structural components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidstructural continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking layers are strategically positioned asymmetrically within the V-shaped supports, specifically at locations where gaps would form during bending. This asymmetric placement ensures that the blocking layers engage only when and where needed during the folding process, maintaining structural continuity without interfering with the normal unfolded configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Blocking layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the V-shaped supports. These blocking layers fill potential gaps and maintain structural continuity during folding by physically connecting adjacent V-shaped supports, ensuring that the overall structure remains stable and continuous throughout the bending motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enhances the continuity and exterior effect of the mobile terminal by allowing large deformations without abrupt structural changes, improving the connection between housings and maintaining a smooth exterior appearance.

Implementation Method 1

when the foldable mechanism of the mobile terminal is bent, bending tip portions of the plurality of V-shaped supports converge, and each blocking layer is compressed into a gap between two V-shaped supports connected by the blocking layer; and when the foldable mechanism of the mobile terminal is unfolded, the bending tip portions of the plurality of V-shaped supports move away from each other, and each blocking layer is unfolded to block the gap between the two V-shaped supports connected by the blocking layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3352044B1Mobile terminal folding mechanism and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3352044B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3352044B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3352044B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a foldable mechanism of a mobile terminal and the mobile terminal. The foldable mechanism includes a soft support structure and a hard support structure embedded in the soft support structure. The foldable mechanism formed by the soft support structure and the hard support structure embedded in the soft support structure is used as a component for connecting a first housing and a second housing. When the mobile terminal is unfolded, the foldable mechanism formed by the soft support structure and the hard support structure is unfolded and turns into a flat structure connected to the first housing and the second housing. When the mobile terminal is folded, one side of the soft support structure away from the hard support structure shrinks inward. Therefore, continuity of connections between the foldable mechanism and the first housing and the second housing is improved, the mobile terminal is prevented from having an abrupt exterior structure, and an exterior effect of the mobile terminal is improved.