Sliding Mobile Terminal Structure for Stable Extendable Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals face challenges in maintaining a stable extended display without deflection and minimizing the displacement of the center of gravity, which affects usability and increases the exposure of internal components, making them prone to foreign material ingress and usability issues due to shape changes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design featuring a first and second frame that slide relative to each other, with a drive unit, a flexible display unit, and a battery placement that distributes components to maintain stability and minimize center of gravity displacement, using a pinion gear, rack gear, and support links to manage the shape change and maintain a flat display state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display unit is extended to increase screen area, then the display area is improved, but the display may deflect and become unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddisplay stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal is divided into a first frame and a second frame that can move relative to each other. The display unit is segmented into a fixed part coupled to the first frame and a variable part that can extend and retract. This segmentation allows the display area to be increased when needed while maintaining structural stability through the frame division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second frame is designed to move dynamically relative to the first frame in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction. The variable part of the display unit can extend in the first direction and retract, allowing the display area to change while maintaining stability through controlled movement rather than permanent extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the shape of the mobile terminal changes to extend the display, then the display area is improved, but the center of gravity displaces and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal employs a dynamic structure where the second frame moves relative to the first frame, allowing the display area to be extended when needed while returning to a compact form when not in use. This dynamic adjustment enables the terminal to adapt its shape for different usage scenarios while maintaining manageable center of gravity characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If the mobile terminal is extended to provide larger display, then the display area is improved, but internal components are exposed and prone to foreign material ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidforeign material ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The variable part of the display unit can extend in the first direction to increase display area and retract to a compact form. When retracted, the display unit is enclosed within the first frame and second frame, protecting internal components from foreign material ingress. This dynamic extension and retraction mechanism allows the terminal to provide larger display area when needed while maintaining protection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If the display unit is extended to increase screen size, then the display area is improved, but the configuration becomes different from existing form factors and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal features a dynamic structure where the second frame moves relative to the first frame, enabling the display unit to extend and retract. This allows the terminal to transition between a compact form factor familiar to users and an extended form factor with larger display area, combining the benefits of both existing designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design allows for a stable extended display without deflection, minimizes center of gravity displacement, reduces component exposure, and enhances usability by maintaining a flat state and distributing weight evenly, thus preventing foreign material ingress and improving handling stability.

Implementation Method 1

a drive unit switching the mobile terminal to an extended state or a contracted state by moving the second frame against the first frame in the first direction or the second direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion mechanism: Rack and Pinion

Data Source

PatentEP4050453B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4050453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050453B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4050453B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Disclosed is a mobile terminal varying in size, including a first frame, a second frame moving against the first frame in a first direction or a second direction reverse to the first direction, a drive unit switching the mobile terminal to an extended state or a contracted state by moving the second frame against the first frame in the first direction or the second direction, a display unit including a fixed part coupled to a front side of the first frame and a variable part extended in the first direction of the fixed part and bent to a backside by enclosing the second frame, a main board installed in the first frame, and a battery installed in the second frame to move together with the second frame.