Rollable Screen Linkage Mechanism for Full Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with rollable screens cannot be completely rolled or unfolded, resulting in a large overall volume and inefficient space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A foldable mechanism comprising a first and second movable plate with a linkage structure, driven by a motor and transmission members, allows the rollable screen to switch between rolled and unrolled states through horizontal movement of the first movable plate, enabling complete retraction and extension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the rollable screen is completely rolled or unfolded, then the space utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the linkage structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage structure enables the second movable plate to nest within or alongside the first movable plate when the screen is in the rolled state, achieving complete retraction. The nested arrangement allows maximum space utilization while the compact folded configuration of the linkage mechanism minimizes the added structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage structure dynamically transforms the spatial relationship between the first and second movable plates during rolling and unrolling. By using movable connections and mechanical linkages, the system adapts its configuration between extended and retracted states, improving space utilization without requiring a permanently complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the first movable plate moves horizontally to drive the linkage structure, then the screen can be completely retracted, but the transmission mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretraction distanceVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage structure converts the horizontal movement of the first movable plate into vertical or diagonal movement of the second movable plate. This dimensional transformation allows the screen to be completely retracted into the device body without requiring the first movable plate to travel an excessively long horizontal distance, simplifying the transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first movable plate's horizontal movement and the second movable plate's position change. This intermediate mechanical system translates and amplifies the driving motion, achieving complete retraction while keeping the individual component movements manageable and the overall mechanism simpler.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4116797B1Foldable mechanism, rollable screen structure and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4116797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4116797B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4116797B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A foldable mechanism includes a first movable plate (3), a second movable plate (4) and a linkage structure (5). The first movable plate is below and supports an object to be rolled. The second movable plate is spaced apart from the first movable plate along a first direction, is connected to a first end of the object to be rolled, and is below and supports the object to be rolled. The linkage structure is movably connected between the first movable plate and the second movable plate. The first movable plate is configured to move along a second direction to drive the linkage structure to fold or unfold, and the linkage structure is configured to drive the second movable plate to move close to or away from the first movable plate along the first direction, to switch the object to be rolled between a rolled state and an unrolled state.