Retractable Screen Device With Damping and Constant Tension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices with flexible display screens face issues of creases, damages, or cracks during transitions between unfolded and retracted states due to tensile stress and material fatigue, limiting the size of the display screen.
Innovation Solution
A retractable screen mobile device with a main unit and retractable unit, featuring comb-tooth columns, a damping element, and constant force springs, allowing the screen to switch between states while providing damping and tension to prevent damage, and a locking mechanism to maintain desired positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the display screen size is increased to meet user demand, then the display area is improved, but the risk of creases, damages, or cracks increases during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into a fixed display area and an extended display area that can be independently controlled. The extended display area is supported by the retractable unit with comb-tooth columns that engage with corresponding grooves, allowing segmented support during transition to prevent creases and damages while maintaining large display area.
Solution Approach 2:
A damping element is provided in advance to cushion the transition motion between the fixed and extended display areas. The damping element absorbs excess kinetic energy and controls the movement speed, preventing sudden stresses that could cause cracks or damages during state transitions.
2Area of moving object
If the flexible display screen is made larger, then the display capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable unit is nested within the main body of the mobile device. The comb-tooth columns are integrated into the supporting structure, and the extended display area is folded back into the accommodating space when retracted. This nesting approach allows large display area while minimizing structural complexity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with movable components. The retractable unit can slide between retracted and extended positions, and the comb-tooth columns can engage or disengage from grooves. This dynamic design allows the display area to be adjusted based on usage needs, balancing display capability with structural simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the comb-tooth columns are made narrower to fit tighter, then the retraction precision is improved, but the engagement reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The comb-tooth columns have varying width dimensions at different locations. The width in the first direction (horizontal) is smaller than the depth in the second direction (vertical), creating a tapered engagement profile. This local quality variation allows precise retraction while maintaining engagement reliability through the deeper vertical engagement distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure uses composite design elements combining rigid materials for the comb-tooth columns and flexible materials for the damping element. This composite approach allows precise mechanical engagement while providing cushioning to maintain reliability during the transition process.
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 smooth and damage-free transitions between retracted and outstretched states, enhancing the display area without compromising durability, and providing a harmonious user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a constant force spring, including a winding part and a telescopic part, wherein the winding part is disposed on the first shell; and a flexible display screen, including a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is disposed on the first supporting plate, the flexible display screen covers the first supporting surface and is wound and deflected around the pivot, the free end is fixed to the telescopic part of the constant force spring, wherein the constant force spring provides constant tension on the flexible display screen
Implementation Method 2
a damping element connects the second shell; the connecting plate is disposed on the second shell; the second supporting plate is hung on the pivot and has a second supporting surface and a plurality of second comb-tooth columns, wherein the second supporting surface and the first supporting surface is coplanar to each other, a width of each of the second comb-tooth columns is slightly smaller than a width of the first gap, the first comb-tooth column and the second comb-tooth column are correspondingly staggered and can slide relative to each other; and the damping element provides a damping force when the retractable unit moves with respect to the main unit
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable screen mobile device comprises a main unit, a retractable unit, an elastic member, and a flexible display screen. The retractable unit is disposed on the main unit along a telescopic axis, and both ends of the elastic member are respectively disposed on the main unit and the retractable unit; wherein the retractable unit can be shifted between a retracted state and an outstretched state relative to the main unit, and thereby change the display area of the flexible display screen.