Flexible Cable Hole Cover for Foldable Device Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices, flexible cables passing through hinges can cause deterioration of waterproof performance due to separation of cable layers, leading to gaps that allow water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A cable hole cover is designed to partially close the cable hole, featuring a shaping guide surface matching the cable's curvature, a cable holder with an elastic material, and a waterproof member filled inside, along with a screw fastening mechanism to maintain the cable's shape and ensure uniform adhesive application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal or waterproof adhesive is disposed in the cable hole region to achieve waterproofing, then waterproof performance is improved, but the flexible cable may flow during assembly process deteriorating the waterproof performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cable hole cover is pre-formed with a cable receiving groove and adhesive applying groove before assembly. The waterproof adhesive is pre-applied to the cable hole cover surface, and the flexible cable is pre-positioned in the receiving groove. This preliminary preparation ensures that during assembly, the cable maintains its position and the adhesive remains in place, preventing deterioration of waterproof performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable hole cover acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the flexible cable. It provides a structured interface with a receiving groove to hold the cable and an adhesive applying groove to secure the waterproof adhesive. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact and potential damage between the cable and the adhesive, while maintaining waterproof integrity.
2Reliability
If a seal or waterproof adhesive is disposed in the cable hole region, then waterproof performance is improved, but gaps may form due to separation of multiple cable layers allowing water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The cable hole cover is pre-formed with a cable receiving groove that matches the cable's cross-sectional shape and a cable shaping groove that guides the cable's path. The waterproof adhesive is pre-applied to the cable hole cover surface. This preliminary structuring ensures that during assembly, the cable maintains its layered composition and the adhesive remains in place, preventing gaps and water ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable hole cover provides localized structural support at critical areas where the cable passes through. The receiving groove and shaping groove are specifically positioned to match the cable's geometry, providing tailored support to maintain the cable's layered structure and prevent separation that would create gaps for water ingress.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flexible cable is allowed to pass through the cable hole freely, then ease of assembly is improved, but the cable shape cannot be maintained leading to waterproof degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable hole cover is pre-formed with a cable receiving groove and a cable shaping groove before assembly. The waterproof adhesive is pre-applied to the cable hole cover surface. This preliminary preparation allows the cable to be easily inserted while automatically guiding it into the correct shape and position, maintaining both assembly ease and cable shape integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable hole cover's receiving groove and shaping groove are designed to automatically guide and shape the flexible cable during assembly. As the cable is inserted, the grooves naturally constrain it to the correct path and shape without requiring additional external tools or complex assembly procedures, achieving self-service cable positioning and shaping.
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 enhances waterproof performance by maintaining cable shape and ensuring consistent adhesive application, thereby preventing water ingress and improving device durability.
Implementation Method 1
a cable holder that includes an elastic material and holds the flexible cable by pressing the flexible cable against an end of the other side of the cable hole
Implementation Method 2
a cable sealing member configured to seal the cable hole, and a waterproof member configured to fill a remaining space defined by the cable hole cover, the cable sealing member, and the flexible cable
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device including a flexible cable cover. The foldable electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include multiple housings including a hinge, coupled to each other to be rotatable by the hinge, and having an inner space for receiving multiple electrical components, and a flexible cable for electrically and mutually connecting the multiple electrical components of the housing. The housing may include a cable hole through which the flexible cable extends, a cable seal for closing one side of the cable hole, the one side being disposed in a first direction, and a cable hole cover which is disposed to cover the other side of the cable hole and at least partially closes the cable hole while holding the flexible cable with respect to the cable hole, the other side being disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction.