Flexible Hinge with Magnetic Sections for Thin Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in reducing overall thickness due to the physical size of traditional hinges, which increases the device's thickness, especially with cylinder-type hinges requiring a specified diameter.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible hinge connecting the upper and lower plate parts of an electronic device's housing, utilizing a thermosetting plastic material for strength and a cover with magnetic sections for secure alignment, allowing for adjustable angles and minimizing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylinder type hinge is used to connect the display and keyboard, then the hinge provides stable rotation and support, but the overall thickness of the electronic device increases due to the required diameter of the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cylinder hinge with a magnetic field-based hinge system. Magnets are embedded in the hinge structure to provide rotational support and positioning forces, eliminating the need for a large-diameter mechanical cylinder while maintaining hinge stability and functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the hinge by transitioning from a mechanical structure requiring a minimum diameter to a magnetic field-based structure where the effective thickness is determined by magnet size and field strength rather than mechanical clearance requirements, enabling significant thinning of the device
2Length of stationary object
If a flexible hinge is used to reduce device thickness, then the overall thickness is minimized, but the structural strength and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction in the hinge, combining flexible materials that enable thin profiles with embedded magnetic elements and reinforcement structures that provide the necessary mechanical strength and stability, achieving both thinness and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic components in the flexible hinge act as counterweights, providing the necessary gravitational and positional support forces that compensate for the reduced structural mass, maintaining hinge stability despite the flexible, thin construction
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
This solution enables the creation of an ultra-thin electronic device by reducing the overall thickness through the use of a flexible hinge, allowing for various mounting forms and angles while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a cover with magnetic sections for secure alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a housing comprising an upper plate part portion and a lower plate part portion; and a flexible hinge connecting the upper plate part portion and the lower plate part portion. The upper plate part portion comprises a first surface facing in a first direction, a second surface facing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a third surface partially surrounding the space between the first surface and the second surface. The lower plate part portion comprises a fourth surface facing in the first direction, a fifth surface facing in the second direction, and a sixth surface partially surrounding the space between the fourth surface and the fifth surface. The fourth surface faces the second surface of the upper plate part portion in a first state. The flexible hinge comprises: a first segmented portion having a first magnetic body arranged therein, the first magnetic body having a magneticity equal to or larger than a first designated magnitude, the first segmented portion being made of a first material having a strength equal to or larger than a second designated magnitude; a second segmented portion having a second magnetic body arranged therein, the second magnetic body having a magneticity equal to or larger than a third designated magnitude, the second segmented portion being made of a second material having a strength equal to or larger than a fourth designated magnitude; and a cover portion at least partially surrounding the first segmented portion and the second segmented portion, the cover portion being made of a third material having a strength below a designated fifth magnitude. When changing from the first state to a second state, the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body bind the first segmented portion and the second segmented portion in a substantially straight type. In the second state, the upper plate part portion is cradled on the lower plate part portion while forming a first designated angle with the lower plate part portion. Besides, various embodiments inferable from the specification are possible.