Sliding Display Speaker Layout Using Guide-Member Enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sliding-type electronic devices, arranging speakers is challenging due to the lack of space when a driver is configured to provide sliding movement, making it difficult to accommodate speakers within the housing.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing the inner space of a driver or guide member in the housing as an enclosure for speakers, allowing for the arrangement of stereo speakers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the speaker is fixed at the rear end of the electronic device, then the assembly is simple, but the speaker grille occupies excessive side surface area and affects appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidspeaker grille area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker assembly is made movable relative to the electronic device body through a sliding mechanism. The speaker can be positioned at the rear end when not in use (minimizing grille visibility) and moved to the front end when audio output is needed. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the speaker grille area to be minimized at the side surface when the speaker is retracted to the rear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the speaker is movable between front and rear ends, then the speaker grille area is reduced, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker grille areaVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving assembly that moves the speaker between front and rear positions is integrated with the existing vibration motor assembly. The vibration motor serves dual purposes: generating vibrations for the electronic device and providing the driving force to move the speaker assembly. This merging of functions reduces the overall structural complexity despite adding speaker mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates vibrations for the electronic device operation and simultaneously acts as a driving motor to move the speaker assembly between front and rear positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate driving mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If a separate driving assembly is added to move the speaker, then the speaker positioning is precise, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker positioning precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving assembly is merged with the vibration motor assembly, utilizing the existing motor structure and control system. The same motor that generates vibrations for the device also provides the controlled movement for the speaker assembly, achieving precise positioning without requiring a completely separate driving mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration motor serves universal purposes by both generating device vibrations and controlling speaker positioning. The control system leverages existing vibration control capabilities to also manage speaker movement, achieving precise positioning while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

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

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

This configuration reduces the required space for speaker placement and enhances acoustic performance by using the inner space as an enclosure, improving sound quality.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration motor configured to generate vibrations to move the speaker assembly between a retracted position, in which the speaker assembly is disposed within the electronic device housing, and an extended position, in which the speaker assembly protrudes from the electronic device housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4231116B1Sliding type electronic device including speaker
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4231116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4231116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4231116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sliding type electronic device according to various embodiments may be disclosed. The disclosed electronic device may comprise: a first housing; a second housing which includes a circuit board and which is slidable with respect to the first housing; a display in which a partial area of the second housing is arranged; a guide member which is arranged in the first housing, and which guides the rolling of the partial area of the display according to the sliding movement of the second housing; at least one speaker arranged inside the guide member; and a conductive connection member which is arranged in the guide member so as to be wound or unwound, and which electrically connects the speaker to the circuit board. Other various embodiments are possible.