Foldable Mobile Terminal Roller Groove Tactile Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable mobile terminals lack a mechanism to provide a tactile feedback of reaching an appropriate position when folded or unfolded, making it difficult for users to determine the exact state of the device.
Innovation Solution
A foldable mechanism incorporating a first and second rotation assembly with sliding plates, rotation shafts, and connection rods, along with spring clamps and rollers, which allow the shells to adapt to length differences and provide resistance feedback during folding and unfolding, ensuring the user feels a standstill at appropriate positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display screen is used to enable folding, then the mobile terminal can be transformed between folded and unfolded states, but the user cannot feel when the device reaches an appropriate folding position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tactile feedback mechanism through the interaction between the roller and groove structure. When the sliding plate moves to a predetermined position during folding, the roller engages with the groove to generate tactile feedback, allowing the user to feel when the device has reached an appropriate folding position. This resolves the contradiction by adding feedback without compromising the folding capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge mechanism is added to provide folding support, then the device can be folded, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folding mechanism into distinct functional components: a sliding plate for movement, a roller for tactile feedback, and grooves for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and not excessively complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure consisting of the roller and groove interaction. This intermediary mechanism mediates between the sliding plate's movement and the user's tactile perception, providing folding functionality while maintaining a relatively simple structure through the use of basic mechanical elements rather than complex hinge systems.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanism is added to provide tactile feedback at folding positions, then user experience improves, but the device structure becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the flexible display screen itself as part of the feedback mechanism. The flexible screen's ability to bend and deform provides inherent tactile feedback when folded, reducing the need for additional complex components. The roller and groove structure leverages this flexibility to create simple yet effective tactile cues.
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 mechanism effectively allows users to feel a standstill when the device is folded or unfolded to the correct position, enhancing user experience by providing tactile feedback and ensuring stable positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring clamp may include two engaging portions, each of the two engaging portions may correspond to each of two extreme positions
Implementation Method 2
the roller may elastically abut against or move out of the groove during folding and unfolding of the foldable mobile terminal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A foldable mobile terminal, comprising: a flexible display screen (10); a housing assembly (30) comprising a first housing (31) and a second housing (32), the flexible display screen being provided on the first housing and the second housing; a first rotating assembly (50) that is at least partially received in the first housing and can extend or retract with respect to the first housing in a sliding manner, the first rotating assembly being provided with a first groove (514); a second rotating assembly (60) that is at least partially received in the second housing and can extend or retract with respect to the second housing in a sliding manner; and a first roller (58) and a first spring (59) provided between the first rotating assembly and the first housing. When the first rotating assembly extends or retracts with respect to the first housing in a sliding manner, the first roller can enter or leave the first groove.