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SamsungPatent applicationPhones & computersInterest 6/10

Samsung patents phone motor that switches between folding and vibration

Samsung describes a device with a single motor that can either fold a flexible screen or create haptic feedback. A rotating part shifts between two shafts to engage either a gear system for moving the housing or a vibrator for touch sensations.

Why it mattersThis design could make foldable phones more compact by using one component for both the folding mechanism and the vibration alerts.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a first housing part and a second housing part movably coupled with the first housing part, a motor assembly disposed in the housing, the motor assembly including a first shaft, a second shaft separated from the first shaft, a rotating member configured to be fastened to at least one of the first shaft or the second shaft, and a vibrator coupled to a side of the second shaft, a gear assembly linked with the first shaft to move the second housing part with respect to the first housing part according to a driving of the motor assembly, memory comprising one or more storage media, storing one or more computer programs, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the motor assembly and the memory, wherein the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to control the rotating member to be fastened to the first shaft such that the second housing part is movable with respect to the first housing part through the rotating member, and control the rotating member to be fastened to the second shaft such that the vibrator is configured to provide vibration through the rotating member.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing including a first housing part and a second housing part movably coupled with the first housing part; a motor assembly disposed in the housing, the motor assembly including: a first shaft, a second shaft separated from the first shaft, a rotating member configured to be fastened to at least one of the first shaft or the second shaft, and a vibrator coupled to a side of the second shaft; a gear assembly linked with the first shaft to move the second housing part with respect to the first housing part according to a driving of the motor assembly; memory, comprising one or more storage media, storing one or more computer programs; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the motor assembly and the memory, wherein the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: control the rotating member to be fastened to the first shaft such that the second housing part is movable with respect to the first housing part through the rotating member, and control the rotating member to be fastened to the second shaft such that the vibrator is configured to provide vibration through the rotating member.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING MOTOR FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC FEEDBACK AND CHANGING SIZE OF DISPLAY AREA OF FLEXIBLE DISPLAY
Publication number
US20260281218A1
Application number
19674664
Filed
May 12, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
20

Classified under

H04M 1/0237 Electricity & electronicsG06F 1/3203 Physics & computingG06F 3/016 Physics & computingH04M 1/0268 Electricity & electronicsH04M 2201/38 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.