Rack Gear Guide Structure for Stable Rollable Device Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rollable electronic devices face issues with impact resistance and operational stability due to the low rigidity of their rack gear support structures, which can lead to damage from external impacts and increased frictional forces during sliding operations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a rack gear guide structure that includes a guide structure with improved support in multiple directions, reducing frictional forces and enhancing impact resistance by accommodating the rack gear and providing additional support through bearing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the rack gear support structure is made lightweight and compact, then the device portability is improved, but the impact resistance and structural rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the rack gear support structure, combining materials with different properties to achieve both lightweight design and high impact resistance. The support structure integrates rigid and flexible material components that work together to provide structural strength while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure extends into multiple spatial dimensions, creating a three-dimensional framework that provides enhanced structural rigidity and impact resistance without significantly increasing the device's footprint. The rack gear support includes vertical, horizontal, and diagonal elements that distribute loads across multiple dimensions.
2Device complexity
If the rack gear support structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operational stability and rigidity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rack gear support structure is divided into multiple segmented components, each performing a specific function. The support structure includes separate elements for bearing support, rack gear guidance, and structural reinforcement, allowing for modular assembly while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of support elements, creating a stable framework that prevents operational instability without requiring excessive complexity in the design. The multi-dimensional support geometry provides inherent stability.
3Strength
If bearing members are added to support housings in thickness direction, then structural support is improved, but frictional forces and swaying during operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excessive or improperly positioned bearing members that cause harmful frictional forces and swaying. The design selectively eliminates bearing elements that create operational resistance while retaining those necessary for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack gear acts as an intermediary element between the pinion gear and the housing support structure. It transmits motion and force efficiently while reducing direct contact friction between moving parts and the housing, thereby minimizing swaying and frictional forces during operation.
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 improves the impact resistance and operational stability of rollable electronic devices by reducing frictional forces and enhancing the structural integrity of the rack gear guide structure, ensuring stable sliding operations and protection against external impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the guide structure may include at least one bearing member disposed between the rack gear and the guide structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing, and a drive part. The drive part provides a driving force for sliding the second housing and includes a pinion gear and a drive motor configured to rotate the pinion gear. The electronic device further includes a rack gear and a guide structure. The rack gear is gear-coupled to the pinion gear to reciprocate in a predetermined section in accordance with a rotation of the pinion gear. The guide structure includes an accommodation space configured to accommodate at least a part of the rack gear and to guide the moving rack gear.