Foldable Hall Sensor Layout for Low-Interference State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to minimize the impact of magnetic fields from magnets on the performance of components within electronic devices that utilize a hall sensor to identify folding states, while maintaining effective state detection.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device design includes a hall sensor mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) spaced apart from magnets, with specific positional arrangements to minimize magnetic interference and ensure accurate state identification, using a combination of magnets and antenna contacts to maintain the folding state without affecting camera module performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnets are used to maintain or identify folding states, then the folding state identification capability is improved, but magnetic field interference affecting component performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating magnet-free zones in specific locations where magnetic field interference would affect component performance. The housing is designed with designated areas that exclude magnets, allowing magnetic fields to be present in some regions (for state identification) while absent in others (to protect components). This spatial differentiation of magnetic field presence resolves the contradiction between needing magnets for state detection and avoiding them for component protection.
2Measurement precision
If hall sensor is positioned close to magnets for accurate state detection, then measurement precision is improved, but magnetic interference on other components worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the housing structure as an intermediary element that spatially separates the hall sensor from other components. The sensor is positioned in a location where it can detect magnetic fields from magnets for state identification, while the housing physically isolates it from camera modules and antenna contacts that would be adversely affected by magnetic interference. This intermediary positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the sensor to be functionally close to magnets while physically isolated from vulnerable components.
3Reliability
If multiple magnets are used to maintain folding states, then state identification capability is improved, but the number of components and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnets multi-functional by designing them to serve both as state maintenance elements and state identification triggers. The same magnets that hold the device in folded or unfolded positions also generate the magnetic field signals detected by the hall sensor for state identification. This eliminates the need for separate identification magnets, reducing overall component count while maintaining reliable state identification and maintenance functions.
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 effectively reduces magnetic interference, allowing for reliable detection of unfolding and folding states while preventing performance degradation of components like camera modules, ensuring robust and accurate state identification.
Implementation Method 1
a hall sensor that identifies the various states using a magnetic field from at least some of the plurality of magnets
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is disclosed, including: a first housing, a second housing, a folding housing that pivotably connects the first housing and second housing, a flexible display spanning the first, second and folding housings, a printed circuit board (PCB), a first camera module at least partly visible through a surface of the second housing, a first magnet disposed in the first housing, a second magnet disposed in the second housing, and a hall sensor disposed on the PCB, the hall sensor configured to detect magnetic flux caused by motion of the first and/or second magnet in folding and unfolding of the electronic device so as facilitate determination of a configuration state of the electronic device.