Link Supporter Mechanism for Sliding Mobile Terminal Display Flatness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile terminals with flexible displays face challenges in maintaining screen flatness and preventing damage during size adjustments, as stress concentration and tilting issues arise during state transitions.
Innovation Solution
The mobile terminal employs a link supporter mechanism that adjusts thickness and supports the sliding movement, incorporating a rolling hinge and elastic members to maintain screen flatness and reduce tilting, allowing for stable extension and contraction of the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the flexible display is extended to increase screen size, then the display area is improved, but the screen flatness deteriorates due to stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into a fixed display unit and a movable extended display unit that can be independently positioned. The link supporter structure segments the stress distribution by providing multiple support points (first link supporter and second link supporter) that distribute the mechanical stress along the extended display, preventing concentration at a single point and maintaining flatness during size extension.
2Area of stationary object
If the display unit is extended while sliding, then the screen size is increased, but tilting occurs during state transition
Solution Approach 1:
The link supporter acts as an intermediary mechanical structure between the fixed display unit and the extended display unit. It provides a stable connection mechanism that mediates the transition during sliding, ensuring smooth state changes without tilting. The link supporter's designed geometry and material properties allow it to absorb and distribute mechanical stresses during transition, maintaining overall structural stability.
3Shape
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain screen flatness, then the screen flatness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link supporter is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its configuration based on the display's operational state. During extension, the link supporter activates to provide support, while during retraction, it folds or repositions to minimize complexity. This dynamic behavior allows the structure to maintain screen flatness only when needed, reducing overall device complexity compared to a permanently rigid support system.
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 effectively prevents screen waviness and damage by distributing stress evenly, maintaining flatness and reducing tilting during state transitions, thus enhancing both portability and utility.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a rolling hinge and elastic members to maintain screen flatness and reduce tilting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2(b)
Figure 3~3(b)
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a mobile terminal including: a body including a first frame and a second frame configured to slide in a first direction with respect to the first frame and slide in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the body is configured to transition to either a first state or a second state; a flexible display configured to cover a part of the body, wherein a front surface area of the flexible display is configured to vary according to the sliding of the second frame; and a link supporter disposed between the first and second frames, wherein the link supporter is configured to fold in the first state and stretch in the second state, wherein the link supporter includes: a first link, wherein a first end of the first link is hinge-coupled to the first frame; a second link, wherein a first end of the second link is hinge-coupled to the first link and a second end of the second link is coupled to the second frame; and a hinge cam configured to penetrate a second end of the first link and the first end of the second link, wherein a location of the hinge cam is configured to vary depending on an angle between the first and second links.