Folding Screen Angle Determination via Resistance Ring Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the folding angle of folding screen terminals have low accuracy due to the complex mechanical structure of gravity sensors, which are affected by temperature factors.

Innovation Solution

A folding screen terminal with a rotary shaft, a resistance ring, and an angle determining circuit comprising a power supply, resistors, conductive elements, and a processor that calculates the folding angle based on voltage and resistance values, without a complex mechanical structure, thereby minimizing temperature's impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a gravity sensor is used to determine the folding angle, then the angle can be measured, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature affecting the sensor data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding angle measurement precisionVSAvoidtemperature effect on sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gravity sensor (mechanical/physical sensing) with a resistance-based measurement system. The resistance ring and conductive elements form an electrical circuit where resistance changes with folding angle, eliminating the temperature-sensitive mechanical gravity sensor while maintaining angle measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from gravity component data (affected by temperature) to resistance values (less sensitive to temperature). By measuring resistance changes in the resistance ring as the conductive elements move with folding angle, the system achieves temperature-compensated angle measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a gravity sensor with complex mechanical structure is used, then angle determination is possible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding angle determinationVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical gravity sensor structure with a simpler electrical resistance-based system. The resistance ring and conductive elements provide a straightforward mechanical-to-electrical conversion mechanism that is easier to manufacture and less prone to mechanical failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the angle-sensing function from the complex gravity sensor assembly and implements it separately through the resistance ring and conductive elements. This separation allows the angle determination to be achieved without the cumbersome mechanical structure of the gravity sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a simple and accurate method for determining the folding angle, improving accuracy by avoiding the effects of temperature on the angle determining process.

Implementation Method 1

a resistance ring fixedly provided outside the rotary shaft... one terminal of the first conductive element slidably abuts against the resistance ring... one terminal of the second conductive element slidably abuts against the resistance ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3855709B1Angle determination circuit and method, and folding screen terminal
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3855709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3855709B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3855709B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This disclosure provides an angle determining circuit, an angle determining method, and a folding screen terminal. The circuit is applied to the folding screen terminal. The folding screen terminal includes a first screen and a second screen that are rotatably connected through a rotary shaft, a resistance ring is fixedly provided outside the rotary shaft, and the circuit includes: a first power supply; a first resistor, where one terminal of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first power supply; a first conductive element fixedly disposed at the first screen, where one terminal of the first conductive element is electrically connected to the other terminal of the first resistor, and the other terminal of the first conductive element slidably abuts against the resistance ring; a second conductive element fixedly disposed at the second screen, where one terminal of the second conductive element slidably abuts against the resistance ring, and the other terminal of the second conductive element is grounded; and a processor, configured to obtain a divided voltage value between the other terminal of the first resistor and the other terminal of the second conductive element, and determine an included angle between the first screen and the second screen based on a voltage value of the first power supply, a resistance value of the first resistor, and the divided voltage value.