Foldable Frame Magnet Integration for Space-Efficient Component Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

The mounting of magnets on middle frames in foldable electronic devices occupies significant space, reducing the utilization of internal components and affecting the arrangement of other electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The magnets are integrated onto the electronic components themselves, with recesses and adhesive grooves to secure them in place, reducing the overall thickness and improving structural stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnets are mounted on the middle frame to maintain folded state, then mechanical feel and secure connection are improved, but space utilization is reduced due to large magnet volume and required clearance distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the magnet with the electronic component by disposing the magnet on the electronic component rather than separately mounting it on the middle frame. This integration eliminates the need for separate magnet mounting space and reduces the required clearance distance, as the magnet becomes part of the electronic component assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the magnet within or on the electronic component structure. The electronic component serves as the container or carrier for the magnet, allowing the magnet to occupy space that would otherwise be unused or require additional clearance, thereby improving overall space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If magnets are mounted on the middle frame with required clearance, then mechanical feel during folding is improved, but the distance between electronic component and magnet reduces space for component arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical feelVSAvoidcomponent arrangement space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet is merged with the electronic component, eliminating the clearance gap that would otherwise be required between separately mounted magnets and electronic components. This integration maintains the mechanical feel during folding while maximizing the available area for component arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If larger magnets are used to improve magnetic attachment, then secure connection in folded state is improved, but space occupied by magnet and electronic component increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic attachmentVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the magnet with the electronic component, the patent allows for larger magnet volumes without proportionally increasing the overall space occupied. The magnet utilizes the volume of the electronic component assembly, making the increased magnet size more space-efficient while maintaining or improving magnetic attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances the utilization of space within the foldable device, allows for larger components, and improves the mechanical stability and audio performance, resulting in a lighter and thinner device.

Implementation Method 1

the first middle frame and the second middle frame are magnetically attached to each other via the magnet assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

By dispensing an adhesive in the adhesive accommodating groove, the first magnet located in the recess can be bonded to the side wall of the recess

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4730753A1Folding electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4730753A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4730753A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4730753A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application relates to a foldable electronic device including a first middle frame, a second middle frame, an electronic component, and a magnet assembly. The second middle frame is rotatably connected to the first middle frame, the electronic component is disposed on the first middle frame or the second middle frame, the first middle frame and the second middle frame are magnetically attached to each other via the magnet assembly, the magnet assembly includes a first magnet, and the first magnet is disposed on the electronic component, so that there is only a distance of a gap between the first magnet and the electronic component, reducing space occupied by the first magnet and the electronic component in a first direction and a second direction in the foldable electronic device, and improving utilization of space inside the foldable electronic device, for the first magnet or the electronic component to have more mounting space in the first direction and the second direction. In this way, a volume of the first magnet or the electronic component can be designed to be larger, to improve performance of the first magnet or the electronic component, improving user experience.