Magnetic Splicing Mobile Terminals for Single-Hand Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals have limited display screen sizes that hinder single-hand operation and waste resources due to rapid obsolescence, with previous solutions for enlarging screens being prone to damage and not optimizing display area effectively.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring magnetic adsorbing elements and conductive contacts for seamless splicing with other terminals, allowing for a larger display area and A4 paper ratio without the need for special slots, while reducing environmental impact by reusing old devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display screen area is increased to satisfy large display requirements, then the display area is improved, but the width becomes too large causing single-hand operation to fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay screen areaVSAvoidsingle-hand operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a large display area into multiple separate mobile terminals (e.g., two 4.3-inch screens instead of one 8.6-inch screen). Each terminal maintains a manageable width for single-hand operation while collectively providing a large total display area when spliced together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical latches are used for mechanical and electrical connection, then the connection is established, but the stretched out latches can be damaged very easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidlatch durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical latch system with a magnetic field-based connection system. Magnetic adsorbing elements embedded in the terminals provide automatic attraction and alignment without requiring protruding mechanical components, eliminating the damage risk to stretched latches while maintaining connection reliability.

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

3Device complexity

If a fixed length-width ratio of 16:9 or 16:10 is used, then the display screen design is simplified, but the display area is limited and black borders appear during document display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay screen designVSAvoiddisplay area utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple terminals with fixed aspect ratios that can be spliced together in different configurations (horizontally, vertically, or in combinations) to create various total display aspect ratios including A4 format. This maintains the simplicity of individual terminal design while achieving flexible overall display ratios without black borders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables a larger display area suitable for single-hand operation, eliminates black borders during document display, and facilitates recycling of old terminals by forming combined devices with improved usability and reduced waste.

Implementation Method 1

a first magnetic adsorbing element arranged at said first side surface and a second magnetic adsorbing element arranged at said second side surface, wherein the positions of said first and second magnetic adsorbing elements are arranged on opposite corresponding locations on said first side surface and said second side surface which allows that, when a current and another mobile terminal are spliced, said first magnetic adsorbing element at said first side surface of the current one of said mobile terminals and said second magnetic adsorbing element at said second side surface of the other mobile terminal can attract each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3244282B1Mobile terminals and combined terminal equipment
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 ZHEJIANG GEELY HLDG GRP CO LTD
  • EP3244282B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3244282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3244282B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are mobile terminals (20) and a combined terminal equipment (30) formed by a plurality of mobile terminals (20). The mobile terminals (20) comprise: a display screen (10); a first side surface (SL) and a second side surface (SR), which are located on opposite sides of the display screen (10) and are parallel to each other; and a first magnetically attractive element arranged on the first side surface (SL) and a second magnetically attractive element arranged on the second side surface (SR); when one mobile terminal (20) is joined to a current mobile terminal (20), the first magnetically attractive element on the first side surface (SL) of the current mobile terminal (20) attracts the second magnetically attractive element on the second side surface (SR) of the other mobile terminal (20), such that the first side surface of the current mobile terminal (20) fits, in alignment, with the second side surface (SR) of the other mobile terminal (20). Due to the first magnetically attractive element and the second magnetically attractive element, there is no need to arrange on the mobile terminals (20) dedicated slots used for joining, thus the feeling of tactility when using the mobile terminals (20) is retained.