Handheld Device Linkage Mechanism for Expanded Display Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld electronic devices face challenges in maximizing display area while maintaining portability, as traditional designs often compromise on screen size due to compact form factors.

Innovation Solution

A handheld electronic device design featuring a linkage mechanism and elevating mechanism allows the second body to be stacked between the first and third bodies, enabling the second body to be exposed and the third body to descend, thereby increasing the available display area, with magnetic and elastic elements facilitating operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the device uses a compact stacked form factor, then portability is improved, but the display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into three separate body portions (first body, second body, third body) that can be stacked compactly for portability yet separated to provide a larger display area. The display portion is segmented across multiple body sections that can be independently positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a two-dimensional compact stacked arrangement to a three-dimensional expanded configuration by separating the body portions along the longitudinal axis, thereby increasing the available display area while maintaining compact storage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the device separates body portions to increase display area, then display area is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage mechanism incorporates dynamic movement capabilities allowing the body portions to transition between stacked and separated states. The mechanism includes movable connections that enable flexible reconfiguration without requiring complex fixed structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member provides automatic restoring force that helps return the body portions to their stacked position after separation, reducing the need for complex motorized actuators or control systems to maintain the expanded configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If magnetic and elastic elements are added to facilitate operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic element replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms or motorized actuators for positioning the body portions. Magnetic attraction provides automatic alignment and positioning forces, simplifying the mechanical structure while improving ease of operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member provides automatic restoring force that helps return the body portions to their stacked position after separation, reducing the need for complex motorized actuators or control systems to maintain the expanded configuration.

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

This design provides a larger display area and greater flexibility in configuring device components, enhancing user interaction while maintaining a compact form factor.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic elements may be disposed on the first and second bodies, respectively, to provide a magnetic force to position the third body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

Elastic members may further be disposed between the base and link rods of the linkage mechanism to provide an elastic force to drive the linkage mechanism to operate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2413576B1Handheld electronic device
Publication Date: 2013.02.20 HTC CORP
  • EP2413576B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2413576B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP2413576B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

A handheld electronic device includes first (110), second (120) and third (130) bodies, a rod, and an elevating mechanism (150) disposed on the first body. The rod has a first end, a second end, and a pivot portion pivotably mounted to the first body. The second body is slidably disposed on the first body and coupled to the first end. The second body is stacked between the first body and the third body. The third body is slidably disposed on the elevating mechanism and coupled to the rod. When the third body moves relative to the first body in a first operation direction to drive the first rod to pivot, the second body is driven by the first rod to move relative to the first body in a second operation direction opposite to the first operation direction, such that the second body is exposed out of the third body and the third body is descended by the elevating mechanism to move toward the first body.