Modular Mobile Terminal Segmentation for Portability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of traditional mobile terminals faces a bottleneck as the requirements for lightness and thinness conflict with performance demands, limiting the integration of advanced features without compromising portability.

Innovation Solution

A modular design is implemented, featuring a hand-held portion with a first communication module, power supply, and display screen that can be detachably connected to a host portion with additional communication and camera modules, allowing for lightweight and thin construction while maintaining functionality through wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth or WiFi.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile terminal integrates more communication modules and advanced features to improve performance, then the functionality and communication capabilities are enhanced, but the device becomes heavier and thicker, compromising portability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into two separate modules: a host portion containing communication modules (second communication module, third communication module), camera module, and second power supply module, and a hand-held portion containing first communication module, first power supply module, and display screen. These modules can be detachably connected or used independently, allowing users to carry only the necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand-held portion is designed to be universally compatible with the host portion through detachable connections. The first power supply module can charge both the hand-held portion and the host portion when connected, providing multi-functional power management. The modular design allows the same hand-held portion to work with different host portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile terminal integrates more communication modules and advanced features to improve performance, then the functionality and communication capabilities are enhanced, but the device thickness increases, compromising portability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into two separate modules: a host portion containing communication modules (second communication module, third communication module), camera module, and second power supply module, and a hand-held portion containing first communication module, first power supply module, and display screen. These modules can be detachably connected or used independently, allowing users to carry only the necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of moving object

If a larger battery is integrated to improve endurance, then the power supply capacity is enhanced, but the device becomes heavier and thicker, affecting portability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveenduranceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent power supply modules: a first power supply module in the hand-held portion and a second power supply module in the host portion. This allows the larger second battery to be located in the host portion, improving its endurance without affecting the weight and portability of the hand-held portion that users carry frequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first power supply module acts as an intermediary that can charge the second power supply module when the hand-held portion is connected to the host portion. This power transfer mechanism allows the hand-held portion to benefit from the larger battery capacity of the host portion without permanently carrying the additional weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Weight of moving object

If electronic components are reduced in the hand-held portion to improve portability, then the device becomes lighter and thinner, but the functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into two separate modules: a host portion containing communication modules (second communication module, third communication module), camera module, and second power supply module, and a hand-held portion containing first communication module, first power supply module, and display screen. These modules can be detachably connected or used independently, allowing users to carry only the necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand-held portion is designed to be universally compatible with the host portion through detachable connections. The first power supply module can charge both the hand-held portion and the host portion when connected, providing multi-functional power management. The modular design allows the same hand-held portion to work with different host portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Weight of moving object

If electronic components are reduced in the hand-held portion to improve portability, then the device becomes lighter and thinner, but the endurance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoidendurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent power supply modules: a first power supply module in the hand-held portion and a second power supply module in the host portion. This allows the larger second battery to be located in the host portion, improving its endurance without affecting the weight and portability of the hand-held portion that users carry frequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first power supply module acts as an intermediary that can charge the second power supply module when the hand-held portion is connected to the host portion. This power transfer mechanism allows the hand-held portion to benefit from the larger battery capacity of the host portion without permanently carrying the additional weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3734944B1Mobile terminal and mobile phone
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3734944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3734944B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3734944B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile terminal (10) comprises a hand-held end (100) and a host end (200). The hand-held end (100) comprises a first communication module, a first power supply module (110) and a display screen (120). The host end (200) comprises a camera module (210), a second communication module, a third communication module, and a second power supply module. The third communication module is configured to be in a communication connection with an external apparatus. The host end (200) has a front surface (221), a back surface (223) and a side surface (225). The front surface (221) is provided with a first installation recess (230). The back surface (223) is provided with a second installation recess (240). A light-entering surface of the camera module (210) is positioned at the front surface (221). The hand-held end (100) can be installed in the first installation recess (230) or the second installation recess (240). The hand-held end (100) can be detached from the host end (200). The second communication module can be in a communication connection with the first communication module after the hand-held end (100) has been detached from the host end (200).