Guide Rail Structure for Rollable Displays Under Impact

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing guide structures for flexible displays in rollable electronic devices experience reduced contact area between guide protrusions and guide slits, leading to deformation and reduced reliability due to external impacts.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a guide rail system with first and second guide protrusions, where the first protrusions are guided through a linear section of the guide slit and the second protrusions are guided through a curved section, increasing the contact area and enhancing support and impact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If guide protrusions are designed with large contact area for linear sections, then support stability is improved, but guiding smoothness in curved sections deteriorates due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidguiding smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide protrusion is divided into two distinct segments: a first guide protrusion with larger contact area for linear sections, and a second guide protrusion with smaller contact area for curved sections. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific functional requirement, resolving the contradiction between stability and smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the guide structure are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The first guide protrusion has dimensions optimized for linear guidance stability, while the second guide protrusion has dimensions optimized for curved section smoothness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate qualities to appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If guide protrusions have reduced contact area for curved section guiding, then guiding smoothness is improved, but support stability and impact resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding smoothnessVSAvoidsupport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide protrusion is divided into two distinct segments: a first guide protrusion with larger contact area for linear sections, and a second guide protrusion with smaller contact area for curved sections. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific functional requirement, resolving the contradiction between stability and smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the guide structure are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The first guide protrusion has dimensions optimized for linear guidance stability, while the second guide protrusion has dimensions optimized for curved section smoothness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate qualities to appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If single guide protrusion design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to handle both linear and curved sections optimally deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide structure complexityVSAvoidguiding performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide protrusion is divided into two distinct segments: a first guide protrusion with larger contact area for linear sections, and a second guide protrusion with smaller contact area for curved sections. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific functional requirement, resolving the contradiction between stability and smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-guide-protrusion structure serves multiple functions: the first guide protrusion handles linear section guidance and stability, while the second guide protrusion handles curved section guidance and smoothness. This multi-functionality allows a single guide rail assembly to optimally handle both linear and curved sections, improving overall guiding performance despite increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250374451A1Electronic device including guide rail

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device may include a flexible display, a first housing, a second housing movably coupled to the first housing, and a support member which supports at least a portion of the flexible display and moves according to movement of the second housing. The support member may include support bars which support the rear surface of the flexible display, first guide protrusions protruding from opposite ends of each of the multiple support bars, and second guide protrusions extending from the first guide protrusions. The electronic device may include a guide rail disposed in the first housing. The guide rail may include a guide slit. The guide slit may include a linear section, a curved section extending from the linear section, a first guide slit extending from the linear section to the curved section, and a second guide slit provided in the curved section.