Zigzag Spring Slider Mechanism for Portable Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing slider mechanisms in portable terminals, particularly those using torsion springs, face issues with inadequate resilient force leading to early failure, increased bulkiness, and difficulty in controlling sliding force, which compromises portability and service life.
Innovation Solution
A slider mechanism employing a zigzag spring with distinct spring characteristics in different portions, allowing for smooth sliding and minimized thickness, where one end is rotatably supported on each slider member, enabling balanced opening and closing operations without the need for separate stoppers or impact absorbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If two torsion springs are employed to compensate for deficient resilient force, then the resilient force is sufficient, but the terminal becomes bulky and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate torsion springs into a single integrated zigzag spring structure. This merged spring provides the necessary resilient force while reducing the overall space required, thereby solving the contradiction between sufficient force and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The zigzag spring employs a curved/wavy geometric structure instead of straight torsion springs. This curved configuration allows the spring to achieve greater elastic deformation within a smaller space, providing adequate resilient force without increasing terminal thickness.
2Ease of operation
If the torsion spring is compressed and restored in a wide range, then the opening and closing operations are achieved, but the spring easily ages due to fatigue and leads to earlier failure
Solution Approach 1:
The zigzag spring features portions with different spring characteristics - some sections have tighter zigzag patterns while others have looser patterns. This local variation allows different parts of the spring to distribute the mechanical stress differently, reducing fatigue concentration and extending service life while maintaining operational range.
3Force
If the wire diameter and winding numbers of the torsion spring are increased, then the resilient force is improved, but the spacing between main body and slider body is widened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing wire diameter or winding numbers in the traditional torsion spring configuration, the patent transitions to a zigzag spring structure that generates resilient force through bending deformation in a different geometric dimension. This allows achieving sufficient force without increasing the spacing between terminal components.
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 zigzag spring mechanism provides enhanced resilient force distribution, reduces terminal thickness, and extends service life by ensuring smooth sliding and stable open/closed states, thereby improving portability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A zigzag spring is disposed between the first and second slider members. One end portion of the zigzag spring is rotatably supported on one of the first and second slider members and the other end thereof is rotatably supported on the other one of the first and second slider members.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are provided of slider mechanisms for slidably opening and closing portable communications terminals. In one exemplary embodiment, a portable communications terminal includes a main body and a slider body sliding on the main body. The slider mechanism includes a first slider member fixed to one of the main body and slider body and a second slider member fixed to the other one. The second slider member is slidably engaged with the first slider member. A zigzag spring is disposed between the first and second slider members. One end portion of the zigzag spring is rotatably supported on one of the first and second slider members and the other end thereof is rotatably supported on the other one of the first and second slider members. The zigzag spring is formed of a first zigzag portion and a second zigzag portion having spring characteristics different from the first zigzag portion.