Integrated Sliding Rail Damping for Compact Foldable Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding mechanisms in electronic devices with movable connections, such as foldable-screen terminals, require separate damping and sliding mechanisms, leading to increased volume and hindering miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A sliding mechanism integrated with a damping assembly, utilizing elastic structures and concave-convex surface regions to provide damping functionality, reducing the need for a separate damping mechanism and minimizing space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate damping mechanism and sliding mechanism are disposed independently, then damping function is achieved, but volume of movable connection apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damping mechanism and sliding mechanism into a single integrated structure. The damping assembly is disposed on the sliding rail, with elastic structures (first and second elastic structures) that interact with concave-convex surface regions to provide damping functionality while the sliding member moves along the sliding rail. This merging eliminates the need for separate damping and sliding components, reducing overall volume while maintaining both damping and sliding functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding rail is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the sliding path for the sliding member while simultaneously housing the damping assembly. The elastic structures on the sliding rail interact with the concave-convex surfaces to provide damping, while the same structure enables sliding movement. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate damping and sliding mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If damping mechanism is integrated into sliding mechanism, then volume is reduced, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping assembly is segmented into distinct functional elements: first elastic structure, second elastic structure, first concave-convex surface region, and second concave-convex surface region. These segmented elements are systematically arranged on the sliding rail, with each element having a specific function. The segmentation allows for modular design and assembly while maintaining clear functional boundaries, making the integrated structure more manageable despite its complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging the first and second elastic structures at different positions on the sliding rail. The first elastic structure interacts with the first concave-convex surface region, while the second elastic structure interacts with the second concave-convex surface region. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple damping elements to coexist without interfering with each other, organizing complexity in three-dimensional space rather than requiring complex two-dimensional arrangements.
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 integrated sliding mechanism reduces the volume of movable connections, facilitating the miniaturization of electronic devices by enhancing continuity and stability of friction forces while maintaining smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
The damping assembly includes a first elastic structure, a second elastic structure, a first concave-convex surface region, and a second concave-convex surface region. One of the first elastic structure and the first concave-convex surface region is disposed on the sliding rail and the other thereof is disposed on the sliding member, and the first elastic structure fits with the first concave-convex surface region.
Implementation Method 2
When the first elastic structure and the second elastic structure fit with the concave surface portions, an elastic force exerted on a first side surface is relatively small, and a friction force Ffriction is relatively small, and may even be zero; and when the first elastic structure and the second elastic structure fit with the convex surface portions, the elastic force exerted on the first side surface is relatively large, and the friction force Ffriction is relatively large.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable-screen terminal is provided. The terminal includes a sliding mechanism to have a damping function. The sliding mechanism includes a sliding rail, a sliding member, and a damping assembly. The damping assembly includes a first elastic structure, a second elastic structure, a first concave-convex surface region, and a second concave-convex surface region. One of the first elastic structure and the first concave-convex surface region is disposed on the sliding rail and the other thereof is disposed on the sliding member, and one of the second elastic structure and the second concave-convex surface region is disposed on the sliding rail and the other thereof is disposed on the sliding member.