Mobile Terminal Ejection Assembly for Flush Camera Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile phone designs face challenges in maximizing screen ratio without compromising the appearance by avoiding holes in the housing, as methods like independent pop-up cameras or bone conduction technology either affect aesthetics or result in poor sound quality.

Innovation Solution

An ejection assembly with a driving mechanism, decorative members, and lifting mechanisms that allow the camera module to retract flush with the screen assembly and back cover, eliminating visible steps and enhancing user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If an independent pop-up camera is used to maximize screen ratio, then the screen ratio is improved, but a hole must be defined in the housing and the camera protrudes out, affecting the overall appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen ratioVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is designed to be dynamically movable between a retracted state (flush with housing) and an extended state (protruding for photography). This dynamic mechanism allows the device to maintain a clean appearance when the camera is not in use while still providing full functionality when needed, resolving the contradiction between maximizing screen ratio and maintaining appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If bone conduction technology is used to avoid holes in housing, then the appearance is improved, but the sound quality becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the camera module from a fixed position and places it on a movable platform, allowing it to be taken out (extended) only when needed for photography. This extraction approach enables the camera to be hidden within the housing during normal use, maintaining appearance, while still being accessible when required, avoiding the need for bone conduction technology that compromises sound quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the camera module is extended out of the housing, then photography function is improved, but visible steps are created affecting appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotography functionVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is designed to be dynamically movable between a retracted state (flush with housing) and an extended state (protruding for photography). This dynamic mechanism allows the device to maintain a clean appearance when the camera is not in use while still providing full functionality when needed, resolving the contradiction between maximizing screen ratio and maintaining appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The camera module is moved along the vertical dimension (thickness direction) of the device rather than creating horizontal steps on the surface. By extending upward from the housing in the thickness direction, the camera maintains a flush appearance with the housing surfaces while still providing protrusion functionality, eliminating visible steps that would affect appearance.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3525435B1Ejection assembly and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3525435B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3525435B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3525435B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An ejection assembly for a mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a back cover (40) and a screen assembly (30). The ejection assembly (70) includes: at least one driving mechanism (71); a first decorative member (72); a second decorative member (73), wherein the first decorative member (72) and the second decorative member (73) are movable toward each other or away from each other; and at least one lifting mechanism (74), disposed between the first decorative member and the second decorative member (73); driven by the at least one driving mechanism (71), the at least one lifting mechanism (74) is capable of driving the first decorative member (72) and the back cover (40) to move away from each other, such that the first decorative member (72) is substantially flush with the screen assembly (30), and the second decorative member (73) is substantially flush with the back cover (40).