Foldable Terminal Pneumatic Air Bag Screen Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable terminals experience a poor pressing experience due to the suspension of the flexible screen's bendable region when unfolded, which can lead to damage during folding and affects user interaction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first air bag and a second air bag with sealed gas, where the air bags' configuration and elasticity facilitate the support of the flexible screen's bendable region, ensuring it remains flat and preventing damage during folding and unfolding, while allowing for a smooth user experience by adjusting gas distribution between the bags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flexible screen is arranged at the inner side of the fold without support structure, then the terminal can be folded and unfolded, but the bendable region sags and creates poor pressing experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air bags filled with gas to provide pneumatic support for the bendable region of the flexible screen. The air bags are positioned at the middle position of the bendable region and expand to counteract the sagging effect, improving the pressing experience without requiring complex mechanical support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bags function as counterbalancing elements that offset the weight and sagging tendency of the bendable region. By introducing upward pneumatic pressure from the air bags, the system creates a counterbalancing force that maintains the screen in a flat state during folding and unfolding operations.
2Ease of operation
If support structure is added to prevent sagging of the bendable region, then pressing experience improves, but the terminal volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional solid support structures with pneumatic air bags. This substitution significantly reduces the weight and volume of the support mechanism while maintaining the necessary support function. The air bags can be inflated to the required pressure to provide adequate support without adding substantial mass to the terminal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support structure is used to maintain flatness of the flexible screen, then screen stability improves, but flexibility and foldability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air bags provide dynamic support that adapts to the folding and unfolding motions of the flexible screen. Unlike rigid support structures, the pneumatic support can flex and deform with the screen while maintaining contact and preventing excessive sagging. The air bags inflate and deflate in response to the screen's position, providing stable support during unfolded states and accommodating folding movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bags function as flexible pneumatic structures that can conform to the changing geometry of the flexible screen during folding and unfolding. The thin-walled air bag construction allows them to flex without rigid resistance, maintaining screen flatness when needed while accommodating the adaptive movements required for foldability.
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 user's pressing experience by supporting the flexible screen's bendable region, preventing damage and ensuring a smooth folding and unfolding process, while also reducing the terminal's volume and weight through optimized air bag design.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a first air bag and a second air bag with sealed gas, where the air bags' configuration and elasticity facilitate the support of the flexible screen's bendable region
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a first air bag and a second air bag with sealed gas, where the air bags' configuration and elasticity facilitate the support
Implementation Method 3
which can lead to damage during folding and affects user interaction
Data Source
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A foldable terminal is provided and includes a housing, a first air bag and a second air bag. The housing includes two casings and a bendable portion. The bendable portion is capable of being bent and deformed and is connected between the two casings. The first air bag is provided at a position corresponding to the bendable portion. The second air bag is provided at a position corresponding to the casing. The first air bag is in communication with the second air bag, and both of them are filled with gas. When the foldable terminal is in a folded state, the gas is in the second air bag; and when the foldable terminal is in an unfolded state, the gas is moved from the second air bag into the first air bag.