Rollable Mobile Terminal Display Control for Stable One-Hand Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rollable mobile terminals face issues with the display extension process causing the device to depart from a user's hand, necessitating a new method to maintain convenience and stability during display extension.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal with a flexible display and a sensing unit that adjusts the size of the display based on input signals, such as touch or force, to maintain a constant total display area, preventing departure by reducing one display area as the other increases, using a controller to manage these changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the display is extended by withdrawing it from the body, then the display size increases, but the center of gravity changes causing the terminal to depart from the user's hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoidterminal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterweight unit that generates a counterweight force to compensate for the change in center of gravity during display extension. The counterweight unit includes a counterweight member and a force generator that applies force to offset the gravitational moment change, preventing the terminal from rotating or slipping out of the user's hand during the extension process.

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

2Ease of operation

If a physical button is used to control display extension, then the operation is simple, but the button location is limited and may interfere with user grip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidbutton placement constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button system with a sensor-based detection system. The sensor unit detects user grip characteristics (such as grip position, grip force, or hand geometry) and automatically triggers display extension without requiring a physical button. This eliminates the need for dedicated button space and allows the control mechanism to be integrated into the existing device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display extension mechanism is added, then the display size is variable, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay size variabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic display extension mechanism where the display can be extended or retracted based on real-time sensor input. The system includes a display assembly that can change its extended state, a sensor unit that monitors user interaction, and a controller that coordinates the extension/retraction action. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt its display size to user needs while maintaining a relatively compact base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4027627B1Mobile terminal and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4027627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027627B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4027627B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present specification provides a mobile terminal in which a display unit can expand, and a control method therefor. In the mobile terminal of the present invention, when an input signal detected by a sensing unit is equal to or larger than a threshold value, an operation that expands or contracts the display unit according to a touch drag direction is performed, thus allowing a user to intuitively control the mobile terminal. Further, there is an advantage in that the mobile terminal can be prevented from being dislodged from the user's hand while the display unit is in the process of expanding.