Terminal Screen Fall Protection via Internal Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal screen protection solutions, such as adding a spring or plastic/rubber parts, compromise the appearance and increase the thickness of the terminal, thereby reducing user experience and failing to effectively prevent screen damage from falls.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air duct with a fan within the terminal body, controlled by a sensor, which blows air to slow down the impact when the terminal is falling, using existing ports and sound holes as air inlets and outlets to distribute airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection part (spring, plastic or rubber) is added on the screen panel to prevent screen damage during falling, then the screen protection is improved, but the appearance of the terminal is affected and the thickness of the terminal is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the protection part from the front screen panel area and relocates it to the backplane of the terminal. The backplane includes a cushioning component that can deform to absorb impact energy, and a lifting component that can lift the screen assembly away from the ground during falling. This extraction resolves the contradiction by providing screen protection without affecting the front appearance or increasing overall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning component and lifting component are nested within the backplane structure. The cushioning component is positioned between the screen assembly and the backplane, while the lifting component is integrated into the backplane framework. This nesting approach provides protection functionality while maintaining a compact structure that does not increase terminal thickness or compromise appearance.
2Reliability
If a protection part (spring, plastic or rubber) is added on the screen panel to prevent screen damage during falling, then the screen protection is improved, but the thickness of the terminal is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism is extracted from the front screen assembly and relocated to the backplane, eliminating the need for additional thickness at the front. The cushioning and lifting components are positioned in the rear space, maintaining the terminal's overall thickness profile while providing effective screen protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding protection in the thickness dimension (z-axis) at the front, the invention utilizes the depth dimension (x-axis) at the backplane. The cushioning and lifting components are arranged in the horizontal space of the backplane, providing protection functionality without increasing the terminal's thickness.
3Device complexity
If existing ports and sound holes are used as air inlets and outlets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airflow distribution effectiveness may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The existing ports (headphone port, USB charging port) and sound holes (handset sound hole, speaker sound hole) are designed to serve dual functions: their original audio/charging functions and new air inlet/outlet functions for the cushioning component. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by avoiding additional dedicated openings while still providing effective airflow distribution through strategically positioned existing structures.
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 airflow generated by the fan reduces the impact force upon landing, protecting the screen without altering the terminal's appearance or thickness, thus enhancing user experience and preventing screen damage.
Implementation Method 1
the air duct is provided with a fan therein... controlling a switch of the fan through the main control chip... the fan blows air to slow down the impact
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for preventing a terminal screen from being damaged during falling comprises a terminal body, and an air channel and a sensor that are disposed in the terminal body. A fan is disposed in the air channel. The sensor is electrically connected to the fan by using a main control chip in the terminal body. The sensor can receive a signal indicating that the terminal body falls to the ground and control the fan to be turned on or turned off by using the main control chip. An air inlet and an air outlet are respectively formed at two ends of the air channel. The air outlet of the air channel is formed on the terminal body. The structure can relieve a force generated when the terminal screen hits the ground during falling.