Foldable Device Camera Notch Merging Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with multiple camera modules face space and weight constraints due to increased camera module occupancy, which reduces space for other components and increases device weight.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design featuring a housing with a notch that allows the second and third camera modules to be exposed through the notch and face the same direction as the first camera module when folded, optimizing camera placement and reducing overall device thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional camera modules are added to foldable electronic devices to enable photography in folded state, then camera functionality is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple camera modules (first, second, and third camera modules) are combined and exposed through a single notch on the first housing, consolidating what would traditionally require separate housing areas into one integrated space. This merging approach enables multiple cameras to work together while avoiding the weight penalty of additional distributed camera components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional camera layout (cameras distributed on front and rear surfaces) to a three-dimensional arrangement where cameras are stacked and exposed through the notch. The first camera module is exposed through the first surface while the second and third camera modules are exposed through the notch, creating a vertical stacking arrangement that saves space and weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional camera modules are added to foldable electronic devices, then camera functionality is improved, but space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The second and third camera modules are nested within the housing structure and exposed through the notch, similar to how the nested doll principle places objects within other objects. This nesting approach allows multiple camera modules to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial regions without requiring proportional increases in total device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) by stacking camera modules vertically and exposing them through the notch, rather than spreading them out in two dimensions across the housing surfaces. This dimensional transition efficiently packs multiple cameras into limited space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If camera modules are distributed on front and rear surfaces, then camera functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple camera modules into a single exposed location (the notch), simplifying the overall device architecture. Instead of managing separate camera systems on front and rear surfaces, the unified notch exposure consolidates control and reduces structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable electronic device (101) is provided. The electronic device (101) includes a housing (120) including a first housing (121) and a second housing (122), a flexible display (110) including a first display part (110a) and a second display part (110b), a first camera module (130) mounted in the first housing (121) and disposed adjacent to the cutting structure, and a second camera module (140) and a third camera module (150) mounted in the second housing (122), in which the first housing (121) includes a notch (121a) having any suitable shape. At least one of the second camera module (140) or the third camera module (150) is disposed to face the same direction as the first camera module (130) when the first housing (121) and the second housing (122) are folded.