Foldable Middle Frame Reinforcement Against Hinge Impact Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable electronic devices with inward-folding screens face issues of local collapse and deformation at the middle frame adjacent to the folding mechanism due to impact forces, necessitating high-strength materials that increase weight and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design incorporating a reinforcement member with higher yield strength and/or micro Vickers hardness than the middle frame, strategically positioned to absorb impact forces, reducing the need for high-strength materials across the entire middle frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-strength material is used to manufacture the entire middle frame, then impact resistance and deformation resistance are improved, but weight and manufacturing costs increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using high-strength material only for the reinforcement member at the specific location adjacent to the rotating shaft where impact forces occur, rather than using high-strength material for the entire middle frame. This localized application of high-strength material provides targeted impact resistance while keeping the overall weight low.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle frame is segmented into different material zones: a reinforcement member made of high-strength material at the critical impact zone, and the rest of the middle frame made of lighter material. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized material properties for its specific function.
2Strength
If high-strength material is used to manufacture the entire middle frame, then deformation resistance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
High-strength material is applied locally only where deformation resistance is critical (adjacent to the rotating shaft), rather than throughout the entire middle frame. This reduces the total amount of expensive high-strength material needed, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate deformation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle frame structure is segmented into a reinforcement member portion and a main body portion, with different material specifications for each segment. This allows cost-effective material selection for each part based on its functional requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the middle frame structure is simplified without reinforcement, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but local collapse and deformation occur due to impact force
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member acts as an intermediary element between the folding mechanism's rotating shaft and the middle frame. It absorbs and distributes the impact forces generated during folding operations, protecting the middle frame from local collapse and deformation while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is pre-installed at the critical location to cushion against future impact forces from the folding mechanism. This beforehand protective measure prevents damage before it occurs, ensuring reliability without requiring a complex overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
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AI summary
This application provides a foldable electronic device and a housing apparatus. A side portion that is of a first middle frame of the electronic device and that is close to a second middle frame is provided with a first mounting groove. A first groove end wall and a second groove end wall of the first mounting groove are disposed opposite to each other. A first groove side wall of the first mounting groove is connected between the first groove end wall and the second groove end wall. A first reinforcement member is fastened to the first groove end wall. A first end portion and a second end portion that are disposed opposite to each other are included in a length extension direction of a folding mechanism. A first stop block is disposed at the first end portion. When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first reinforcement member is located between the first groove side wall and the first stop block and abuts against the first stop block. Yield strength of the first reinforcement member is greater than yield strength of the first middle frame, and/or micro Vickers hardness of the first reinforcement member is greater than micro Vickers hardness of the first middle frame. The first reinforcement member can avoid a problem of local collapse of the first middle frame caused by collision between the first stop block and an adjacent part of the first middle frame.