Sliding Rollable Display Support for Flatness and Friction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with roll-structured displays face issues of display deformation and damage due to repulsive forces during winding and sliding, leading to protrusions and potential damage from friction with other structures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a sliding structure with elastic and magnetic components to maintain display flatness and prevent damage, using a flexible display supported by a first and second cover, a display support member, and a sliding structure with elastic members and magnetic forces to counteract repulsive forces and reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the display is wound into a roll structure to enable size adjustment, then the display can be compacted and portability is improved, but repulsive forces cause deformation and protrusions in the wound portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoiddisplay flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the display and the housing. This support member provides structural reinforcement to the wound portion of the display, preventing deformation and protrusions caused by repulsive forces during the winding process while maintaining the compact roll structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as a counteracting structure that balances the repulsive forces generated during display winding. By providing opposing structural support, it neutralizes the deformation effects and maintains display flatness in the wound state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display is slid during expansion and contraction, then size adjustability is improved, but friction with other structures causes damage to the display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize adjustabilityVSAvoiddisplay damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member serves as a protective intermediary between the display and the housing structures it contacts during sliding. This intermediary element reduces direct friction and contact stress on the display surface, preventing damage while enabling smooth expansion and contraction movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member provides preemptive protection by being positioned in advance to cushion and distribute contact forces during sliding operations. This prevents direct impact and friction damage to the display before harmful forces can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 effectively maintains display flatness and prevents damage by using elastic and magnetic forces to manage repulsive forces and reduce friction during sliding, ensuring the display remains flat and functional.

Implementation Method 1

a state in which the repulsive force against the winding force may act on the wound part of the display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The design incorporates a sliding structure with elastic and magnetic components to maintain display flatness and prevent damage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3974940B1Electronic device supporting sliding
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3974940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first cover, a second cover coupled to the first cover to slide, a display in which a size of an exposed region is changed corresponding to the sliding of the second cover, a panel support disposed on one side of a back surface of the display with respect to a front surface of the display on which a screen is displayed, and a rotation shaft contacting at least a portion of the panel support and rotating corresponding to the sliding of the second cover, and an attractive force may be formed between the portion of the rotation shaft and the portion of the panel support.