Gapless Flexible Backside Coverings for Foldable Hinges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable computer devices have a gap in the hinge area due to bulky, inflexible covers, which is aesthetically unpleasing and allows foreign objects to intrude, causing mechanical interference and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A gapless flexible backside covering with accordion-style folds or pleats that extends across the hinge area, maintaining a smooth surface in both folded and unfolded positions, using a combination of pleated elastic support material and a flexible outer layer to prevent sagging and provide rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If solid inflexible covers are provided on the backside, then the device looks like a conventional laptop when folded closed, but a gap must be provided along the hinge area to allow mechanical clearance, creating an aesthetically unpleasing appearance and allowing foreign objects to intrude

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance of backside coveringVSAvoidgap allowing foreign object intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces solid inflexible covers with a flexible backside covering that can dynamically adapt its shape. The flexible material allows the covering to conform to the hinge area without requiring gaps, eliminating the aesthetic and functional problems of the conventional approach while maintaining the laptop-like appearance when folded closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The backside covering transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its configuration. When the device is folded closed, the flexible covering maintains a smooth appearance; when opened, it naturally flexes to accommodate the hinge movement, eliminating the need for permanent gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If inflexible solid material covers are used, then structural support is provided, but the covers are bulky and require gaps for mechanical clearance during opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support of backside coveringVSAvoidbulkiness of covers

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible backside covering provides structural support through its material properties and attachment design rather than through bulk. The thin flexible material eliminates the need for bulky covers while maintaining adequate support for the backside of the device during both folded and unfolded states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the backside covering from rigid and thick to flexible and thin. This parameter change allows the covering to provide necessary structural support through elasticity and tensile strength rather than through bulk and rigidity, reducing the volume required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If gaps are provided for mechanical clearance, then opening and closing of the device is enabled, but the gap creates an undesirable open space that is not aesthetically pleasing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing mechanismVSAvoidaesthetic appearance of backside surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible backside covering dynamically adapts to the hinge movement during opening and closing operations. The material flexes and stretches to accommodate the mechanical clearance needed for hinge rotation, eliminating the need for permanent gaps while maintaining a continuous aesthetic appearance across the entire backside surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible covering acts as a continuous membrane that can deform to accommodate hinge movement. This eliminates the need for discontinuous gaps while maintaining both aesthetic appearance and functional clearance, as the flexible material naturally conforms to the changing geometry during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution allows for seamless folding and unfolding without gaps, maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing surface throughout the device's operation, while ensuring durability and functionality over multiple cycles.

Implementation Method 1

A gapless flexible backside covering may be provided which extends across a hinge area of a foldable information handling system and which maintains a relatively smooth, clean, and gapless backside outer surface across a foldable hinge area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the backside material that extends across the hinge area may be configured with accordion-style folds or pleats to create alternating outward-facing peaks and inward-facing valleys that run parallel to the hinge area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20220229471A1Flexible Backside Coverings And Methods For Hinged Information Handling Systems

Publication Date: 2022.07.21 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods that may be implemented to provide gapless flexible backside coverings for foldable information handling systems. The disclosed apparatus and materials may be configured in one embodiment to provide an integrated and flexible backside covering that is continuous across at least the backside hinge area of a foldable computer device, and that allows the foldable computer device to open and close (or unfold and fold) without the presence of any gaps in the covering.