Flexible Board Offset Folding for Thin Foldable Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a thin and durable design while allowing for flexible display configurations, as the flexible boards often form waves or bent shapes during rotation, leading to potential damage and increased thickness to accommodate extra length, which can interfere with internal components.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus incorporates a hinge system with flexible boards featuring offset folded portions that are fixed to the chassis, allowing for smooth rotation and expansion/contraction management, maintaining a thin design and preventing damage to the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible board is made longer to accommodate the rotation range, then the rotation flexibility is improved, but the chassis thickness increases and internal components are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible board is folded into a compact configuration that nests within the chassis structure during rotation, allowing the board to accommodate its full length without increasing the external dimensions of the chassis. The folded portions are positioned to fit within the internal space of the chassis, enabling the flexible board to serve multiple rotation positions while maintaining a thin overall profile.
2Length of stationary object
If the flexible board is made thinner to maintain a thin chassis design, then the chassis thickness is reduced, but the flexible board durability decreases and damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible board is divided into multiple folded portions with fixed and movable sections. The folded portions are secured to the chassis at specific locations, creating a segmented structure that distributes mechanical stress across multiple attachment points. This segmentation allows the flexible board to be thin while maintaining durability, as the segmented design prevents stress concentration and potential damage during rotation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the flexible board is fixed rigidly to the chassis, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the folding smoothness decreases and waves or bent shapes form
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible board employs a dynamic fixing mechanism where the folded portions are secured to the chassis at multiple locations, allowing the board to maintain its shape during normal operation while enabling smooth folding during rotation. The dynamic nature of the fixation points allows them to adapt to the folding motion, preventing wave formation and bent shapes while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a first chassis accommodating a first electronic component; a second chassis accommodating a second electronic component; a hinge connecting the first chassis and the second chassis in a relatively rotatable manner; and a flexible board connecting the first electronic component and the second electronic component. The flexible board includes a first folded portion that is offset from adjacent ends of the first and second chassis in the direction toward the first chassis, the first folded portion being folded from a first direction, which is directed from the second chassis to the first chassis, to a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.