Movable Functional Component in Electronic Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic apparatuses lack the ability to integrate diverse configurations and functions, resulting in suboptimal user experience due to limited screen-to-body ratios and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A functional device with a housing that includes a movable functional component and a driving mechanism, allowing the component to extend out of the housing for use and retract into it, thereby increasing the screen-to-body ratio by not occupying display area when not in use, utilizing a pair of first wheels and a driving assembly to facilitate movement between positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a functional component is permanently exposed outside the housing, then it is easily accessible and protected, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced due to the occupied display area

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of functional componentVSAvoidScreen-to-body ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The functional component is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. This enables the component to be accessible when needed while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, thereby improving the screen-to-body ratio without sacrificing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The functional component can be nested within the housing when not in use, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the component to be stored inside the device body, freeing up display area while remaining easily accessible when extended outward, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and screen-to-body ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the functional component is always extended outward, then it is easily accessible, but it is vulnerable to damage from external factors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of functional componentVSAvoidDamage risk to functional component
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The functional component's movable design allows it to dynamically adjust its exposure level. When not in use, it can be retracted into the housing for protection, and only extended when needed for operation. This dynamic positioning reduces vulnerability to external damage while maintaining accessibility during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure provides preliminary protection by allowing the functional component to be retracted into a protected state before potential damage occurs. This preventive measure shields the component from external harmful factors such as dust, moisture, and physical impact when it is not actively being used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If conventional fixed configurations are used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot meet diverse user requirements and has limited functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructural simplicityVSAvoidDiverse configurations and functions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable functional component introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the device without significantly complicating the overall structure. The component can be extended or retracted based on different usage scenarios, enabling diverse configurations and functions while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The functional component serves multiple purposes - it can be extended for active use and retracted for protection or aesthetic purposes. This multi-functionality allows a single component to meet diverse user requirements, enhancing device versatility without requiring multiple separate structures.

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

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

Enhances user experience by providing a higher screen-to-body ratio and protecting the functional component from damage, while allowing for diverse configurations and convenient operation.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the pair of first wheels is arranged to contact with the housing by a surface contact and abut against both the top plate and the bottom plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3477920B1Functional device and electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3477920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477920B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A functional device is described. The functional device includes a housing (210), a functional component (220) disposed in the housing (210) and movable between a first position at which the functional component (220) extends out of the housing (210) and a second position at which the functional component (220) retracts into the housing (210), and a driving mechanism (230). The driving mechanism (230) is disposed in the housing (210) and includes: a first wheel (231) connected to the functional component (220), abutting against an inner wall of the housing (210) and rotatable relative to the housing (210) to drive the functional component (220) to move between the first position and the second position, and a driving assembly (232) connected to the first wheel (231) and configured to drive the first wheel (231) to rotate. An electronic apparatus is further provided.