Foldable Mobile Terminal Roller Groove Tactile Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals with flexible displays struggle to provide a tactile feedback when folded or unfolded to an appropriate position, lacking a clear indication of the correct alignment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a roller and spring mechanism between the rotation assembly and the shell, with a groove in the shell, allowing the roller to elastically engage or disengage during folding and unfolding, providing a tactile feedback to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible display screen is made foldable to enable transformation between folded and unfolded states, then the device becomes more versatile and compact, but the user cannot receive clear tactile feedback to confirm when the device is folded or unfolded to the appropriate position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoldable transformation capabilityVSAvoidtactile feedback clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A roller is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible display screen and the shell. The roller interacts with a groove structure on the shell surface, providing mechanical feedback through engagement and disengagement. This intermediary mechanism translates the smooth folding motion into distinct tactile cues, allowing users to感知 when the device reaches the correct folded or unfolded position without compromising the flexibility's adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a roller and spring mechanism is added to provide tactile feedback, then the user can feel standstill at appropriate positions, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedbackVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roller and spring components are merged into a compact assembly that integrates seamlessly with the existing foldable structure. The groove feature is incorporated directly into the shell rather than being a separate component. This merging approach provides the necessary tactile feedback while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism automatically engages and disengages the roller with the groove features during the folding process without requiring external control. The mechanical interaction between the roller and groove structure self-regulates to provide tactile feedback at the appropriate positions, eliminating the need for additional control systems or complex actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables users to feel a standstill when the mobile terminal is folded or unfolded to the correct position, enhancing the user experience by providing a clear tactile cue.

Implementation Method 1

a roller and spring mechanism between the rotation assembly and the shell, with a groove in the shell, allowing the roller to elastically engage or disengage during folding and unfolding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3627803B1Foldable mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3627803B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3627803B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3627803B1 patent drawingFigure 5

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.