Sliding Camera Mounting Box for High Screen-to-Body Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full-screen mobile phones face limitations in increasing screen-to-body ratio due to the occupation of space by front-facing electronic devices such as camera components, earpiece, and light sensors on the front face.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring a sliding mounting box mechanism that allows the camera to retract into a receiving groove, thereby exposing or hiding the camera lens, and using a driving device to extend or retract the mounting box, ensuring the camera does not occupy display screen area and improving the screen-to-body ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If front-facing electronic devices (camera, earpiece, light sensors) are disposed on the front face of the mobile terminal, then the camera can be easily accessed for photography, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced due to space occupation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera accessibilityVSAvoidscreen area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is designed to be movable rather than fixed on the front face. The mounting box can slide along the longitudinal axis of the terminal, transitioning between extended and retracted states. This dynamic positioning allows the camera to be accessible when needed while maintaining a clean front face with maximum screen area when retracted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the camera on the front face (2D surface), the patent moves the camera to a different spatial dimension by using a longitudinal sliding mechanism. The camera module extends from the rear or side of the terminal along the length axis, effectively removing it from the front face plane and allowing unlimited screen area on the front surface.

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

2Area of stationary object

If the camera module is made movable to improve screen-to-body ratio, then the screen area increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional sliding mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen areaVSAvoidsliding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera assembly is segmented into an independent mounting box that can move separately from the main terminal body. This modular design isolates the complexity of the sliding mechanism to a separate component (mounting box with guides and drive) rather than integrating it into the main terminal structure, making the overall system more manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting box serves multiple functions: it houses the camera module, provides the sliding mechanism for movement, offers protection when retracted, and enables positioning adjustment. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of separate parts needed and simplifies the overall structure despite the added mobility feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the camera is exposed continuously for easy photography, then the camera is always accessible, but privacy security is compromised due to accidental exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera accessibilityVSAvoidprivacy security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module transitions between exposed and hidden states dynamically. When not in use, the mounting box retracts into the terminal body, hiding the camera and preventing accidental exposure. When photography is needed, the user can extend the mounting box to access the camera. This dynamic state change provides both security and accessibility as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The camera module is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the terminal body, already in the secure hidden position before use. The user must actively extend it to access the camera, creating a preliminary secure state that prevents accidental exposure while allowing intentional access when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3525426B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3525426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525426B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3525426B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure provides a mobile terminal (100) including a middle frame (20), a main board (30), a display screen module (60), a back plate (80), and a mounting box (41). The display screen module (60) includes a display screen (62) and a positioning frame (64). The positioning frame (64) is disposed on a front side face (21) of the middle frame (20). The back plate (80) is disposed on a back side face (22) of the middle frame (20). A receiving groove (27) is defined by a top face (26) of the middle frame (20), the display screen module (60) and the back plate (80). The mounting box (41) includes a front flange (4135) and a back flange (4145). A first camera (410) is disposed at the mounting box (41). The mounting box (41) is extended out of or retracted into the receiving groove (27). When the mounting box (41) is retracted into the receiving groove (27), the front flange (4135) overlies the positioning frame (64) and the back flange (4145) overlies the back plate (80).