Slide Rail Mechanism with Elastic Pre-Tension for Retractable Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retractable screen structures face issues such as screen bulging, swelling, and distortion during expansion and retraction due to insufficient tensioning mechanisms, which affect the smooth operation and durability of flexible display screens.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail mechanism with an elastic assembly that includes a fixed seat, a sliding member, and elastic members coupled to both, where the sliding member drives the flexible display screen to move along a direction, stretching the elastic assembly to generate pre-tension, ensuring smooth expansion and retraction without bulging or distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a retractable screen structure is implemented to increase display area, then the display flexibility is improved, but screen bulging and distortion occur during expansion and retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area flexibilityVSAvoidscreen flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic assembly is pre-loaded to generate preliminary tension on the flexible display screen before expansion begins. This pre-tensioning action prevents the screen from bulging or distorting during the expansion and retraction process, maintaining screen flatness while enabling display area flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic assembly changes the tension parameter of the flexible display screen dynamically during expansion and retraction. By adjusting the tension force through the elastic members, the system maintains optimal screen flatness across different display states, resolving the contradiction between area flexibility and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the flexible display screen is allowed to bend and expand freely, then the operational smoothness is improved, but screen distortion and durability issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpansion smoothnessVSAvoidscreen durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic assembly applies preliminary tension to the flexible display screen before expansion occurs. This pre-tensioning ensures that the screen maintains its structural integrity during bending and expansion, preventing distortion and improving durability while preserving operational smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic members provide beforehand cushioning by storing elastic potential energy that counteracts the stresses during screen expansion and retraction. This cushioning effect protects the screen from excessive tension and distortion, enhancing reliability without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no tensioning mechanism is provided for the flexible display screen, then the device complexity is reduced, but screen bulging and distortion occur during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidscreen flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic assembly provides self-service tensioning through its inherent elastic properties. The elastic members automatically generate and maintain tension on the flexible display screen during expansion and retraction without requiring external control systems or complex actuation mechanisms, achieving screen flatness with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic assembly acts as an intermediary between the sliding member and the flexible display screen. It transfers and regulates the tension force smoothly, providing the necessary screen flatness control while adding minimal complexity to the overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 mechanism ensures the flexible display screen remains flat and avoids issues like bulging and distortion by applying pre-tension, enhancing the operational stability and durability of the screen during sliding operations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic assembly (23) having a first end coupled to the fixed seat (21) and a second end coupled to the sliding member (22)... stretching the elastic assembly (23) to generate pre-tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4109210B1Slide rail mechanism, retractable screen structure and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

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AI summary

A slide rail mechanism for a retractable screen structure includes a holder assembly (10) including a holder (11); and a slide rail assembly (20) including a fixed seat (21) fixedly coupled to the holder (11), a sliding member (22) coupled to a flexible display screen (90) of the retractable screen structure and arranged on the fixed seat (21) and slidable along a first direction (X), and an elastic assembly (23) having a first end coupled to the fixed seat (21) and a second end coupled to the sliding member (22). The second end of the elastic assembly (23) and the flexible display screen (90) are driven to move together when the sliding member (22) slides along the first direction (X) relative to the fixed seat (21).