Sliding Display Mechanism With Parallel Springs for High Stroke

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rollable electronic devices using the link method experience force loss, limited stroke implementation, and permanent deformation of springs due to misalignment between the compression/tension direction of the spring and the sliding direction of the display.

Innovation Solution

A sliding device with a parallel stacked arrangement of elastic members, where the direction of compression/tension aligns with the sliding direction, allowing for high stroke implementation and reduced permanent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the link method is used to generate sliding force, then the spring can be mounted perpendicular to the driving direction, but force loss occurs because the spring compression/tension direction does not align with the sliding direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring mounting orientationVSAvoidforce loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the link structure from the force transmission path, eliminating the directional conversion mechanism. The spring is mounted directly in the sliding direction without perpendicular linkage, removing the source of force loss while maintaining manufacturing flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of mounting the spring perpendicular to the sliding direction and using a link to convert force direction, the patent inverts the approach by mounting the spring parallel to the sliding direction, eliminating the need for directional force conversion and preventing force loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the link structure is used to generate sliding movement, then the spring can be positioned perpendicular to the driving direction, but the stroke is limited above a certain level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring positioningVSAvoidstroke
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The link structure that limited stroke is extracted and removed from the system. The spring is positioned directly in the sliding direction, allowing the full expansion and compression range of the spring to translate into sliding stroke without geometric constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring positioning is inverted from perpendicular to parallel relative to the sliding direction. This inversion allows the spring's full length change to directly contribute to the sliding stroke, enabling high-stroke implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Force

If the spring is used up to its design limit to generate sufficient sliding force, then the required force can be achieved, but permanent deformation occurs in the spring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding forceVSAvoidspring deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force generation system is segmented into multiple components working in parallel: the spring provides elastic force within its safe operating range, while the elastic deformation of the housing structure and guides provides additional force. This segmentation allows the spring to operate below its design limit, preventing permanent deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure and guides are designed with elastic deformation capabilities that act as a cushion, absorbing peak forces and preventing the spring from being overloaded. This beforehand cushioning protects the spring from exceeding its elastic limit

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

4Length of moving object

If a parallel stacked arrangement of elastic members is used, then high stroke can be implemented and force loss prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrokeVSAvoidsliding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides the sliding guide, acts as a spring mount, and functions as an elastic element itself. The guides also serve dual purposes of constraining motion and providing elastic force. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed

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

Solution Approach 2:

The housing, guides, and spring mounting structure are merged into an integrated assembly. The guides are combined with the housing structure, and the spring mounting is integrated into the guide assembly, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high-stroke capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Prevents force loss and enables high stroke implementation while minimizing spring deformation, suitable for narrow structures.

Implementation Method 1

one or more elastic members disposed on the guides... configured to cause the second housing to move elastically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4472178B1Electronic device including sliding device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4472178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4472178B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4472178B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a first housing; a second housing coupled to be slidable with respect to the first housing; a display of which the area visible to the outside increases or decreases as the second housing slides; and a sliding device which has an end coupled to the first housing and the other end coupled to the second housing and which enables the second hosing to elastically move, wherein the sliding device comprises a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of guides, and at least one elastic member arranged on the guides, at least one of the plurality of guides is coupled to the first housing, and at least one of the plurality of guides is coupled to the second housing.