Foldable Terminal Telescopic Screen Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable terminal devices with flexible screens have limited user experience due to restricted functionality and inefficient folding mechanisms, often requiring users to compromise on viewing angles and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A foldable terminal apparatus with a bendable touch screen that can switch between two states, utilizing a telescopic supporting frame and inductive electromagnets to expand and retract, allowing full or partial display on a flat plane, and a terminal control method to adapt content display based on the screen's state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the bendable touch screen is folded to about one-half of its original size by bending on both sides or once in the middle, then the terminal size is reduced, but the user experience is limited and the degree of performance development is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal sizeVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal body is divided into a front body and a rear body that can relatively move with respect to each other, while the bendable touch screen is segmented into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region, fourth region) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the screen to display content in various configurations (fully expanded, partially expanded, wrapped around the terminal) rather than simply folding to half size, thereby improving user experience while maintaining compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of the bendable touch screen by allowing it to switch between multiple states: fully expanded flat state, partially expanded state, and wrapped state around the terminal. The front and rear bodies can also dynamically adjust their relative positions. This dynamic adaptability enables the terminal to optimize between size reduction and display quality based on user needs, resolving the contradiction between compact size and user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the bendable touch screen surrounds the terminal body in the first state, then the screen area is maximized, but the structural stability during folding is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A supporting frame is introduced as an intermediary structure between the bendable touch screen and the terminal body. This supporting frame provides structural support during the folding and unfolding processes, ensuring stability while allowing the screen to maintain its large display area when expanded. The supporting frame acts as a mediator that enables the screen to wrap around the terminal body without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting frame is designed to be accommodated within the terminal structure in the folded state and expands to support the full display area in the unfolded state. This nesting approach allows the supporting structure to provide stability during folding while being invisible when not needed, maximizing the display area without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the telescopic supporting frame expands into a plane to support the bendable touch screen, then the screen stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting frame utilizes a telescopic structure with connecting sections that can expand and contract like an accordion. This flexible yet stable structure provides the necessary support for the bendable touch screen when expanded, while maintaining a compact form when retracted. The telescopic design offers a balance between providing structural stability and avoiding excessive complexity compared to rigid support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enhances user experience by providing flexible display options, efficient power management, and improved structural stability during folding and unfolding, enabling full or partial screen expansion for optimal content viewing.

Implementation Method 1

the supporting frame is a telescopic supporting frame having one end fixedly connected to the terminal body; the telescopic supporting frame comprises at least two connecting sections having radial dimensions decreasing or increasing progressively in a direction away from the terminal body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTelescopic structure:

Implementation Method 2

the foldable terminal apparatus further comprises an inner and outer sliding gear set arranged between every two adjacent connecting sections of the telescopic supporting frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding gear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 3

The bendable touch screen is switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the bendable touch screen surrounds the terminal body on an outer side of the terminal body, and in the second state, the fixed end of the bendable touch screen is located on the terminal body and the free end is located outside the terminal body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3840342B1Foldable terminal, terminal control method and device, terminal, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 ZTE CORP
  • EP3840342B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3840342B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3840342B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a foldable terminal, a terminal control method and device, a terminal, and a storage medium. The terminal comprises a terminal body and a bendable touch screen. The two ends of the bendable touch screen along a bending direction are respectively a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being connected to the terminal body. In a first state, the bendable touch screen surrounds the outer side of the terminal body; and in a second state, the fixed end of the bendable touch screen is located on the terminal body, and the free end is located outside the terminal body and expands the bendable touch screen. Fig.3.