Electromechanical Slip Ring Assembly for Foldable Display Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld touch screen devices face challenges with precise physical interaction and limited viewing capacity due to their small size, and the rigid nature of standard touch screen displays hinders portability and durability of foldable devices, where flexible circuits often fail from repeated folding.
Innovation Solution
A foldable touch screen display device utilizing electromechanical slip rings for electrical connections between flexible segments, allowing the device to adjust size from compact to expanded states, with integrated sensors and processing modules, and optionally including a flip phone configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible circuits are used to connect electronics between display segments, then the device can be folded, but the flexible circuits wear away and stop functioning after repeated folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slip ring assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second display segments. This slip ring assembly includes a first slip ring on the first segment and a second slip ring on the second segment, with conductive elements that maintain electrical connection through relative rotation. This intermediary mechanism replaces the vulnerable flexible circuit with a more durable rotary connection system that can withstand repeated folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible circuit mechanical system with an electromechanical slip ring system. The slip rings use a combination of mechanical rotation and electrical conduction to achieve the same connection function, but with significantly improved durability for repeated folding. The conductive elements within the slip rings maintain electrical continuity through rotational movement rather than flexible bending.
2Area of stationary object
If the display size is increased to improve viewing capacity, then the device becomes less portable and more cumbersome to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display system where the display segments can rotate relative to each other through the slip ring assembly. This allows the display to transition between different configurations (folded and unfolded states), enabling the device to adapt its effective display area and form factor based on usage needs, thus balancing viewing capacity with portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display into separate segments (first display segment and second display segment) that can be independently positioned and rotated. This segmentation allows the display area to be effectively increased when unfolded while maintaining a compact folded state for portability, resolving the contradiction between display size and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes electromechanical slip rings. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The electromechanical slip rings are utilized to provide multiple electrical connections between the device's display segments and their respective support structures. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.