Foldable Electronic Device Hinge Structure for Speakerphone Sound Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In foldable electronic devices, the quality of speakerphone communication is poorer in the folding state due to multiple acoustic holes being adjacent to the speaker hole, causing sound interference.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device includes a housing with a hinge connecting two housings, a flexible printed circuit board, and a microphone module positioned to maintain an appropriate distance from the speaker hole, with additional acoustic holes and a soundproof member to improve sound quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple acoustic holes are formed through the housing to enable functions in folding state, then portability and functionality are improved, but sound interference occurs between speaker and acoustic holes reducing communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality in folding stateVSAvoidsound interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A soundproof member is introduced as an intermediary element between the speaker hole and acoustic holes. This soundproof member includes a soundproof chamber that acoustically isolates the speaker hole from the acoustic holes, preventing sound interference while allowing the device to maintain multiple acoustic holes for functionality in folding state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If acoustic holes are positioned close to speaker hole for compact design, then device size is reduced, but communication quality deteriorates due to sound leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The soundproof chamber is nested within the housing structure, creating a hierarchical arrangement where the speaker hole, soundproof chamber, and acoustic holes are arranged in nested layers. This allows compact positioning while maintaining acoustic isolation through the intermediate soundproof chamber layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If speaker hole and acoustic holes are adjacent in folding state, then compact folding structure is achieved, but sound quality decreases due to multiple holes being adjacent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding structure compactnessVSAvoidspeakerphone communication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The soundproof member acts as a mediator that enables the speaker hole and acoustic holes to be positioned adjacently in the folding state for compactness, while simultaneously preventing sound interference through its soundproofing function. The soundproof chamber provides the necessary acoustic isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12457280B2Electronic device including hinge structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a first housing and a second housing, a hinge configured to rotatably connect the first housing and the second housing, a flexible printed circuit board including a connection part disposed at the hinge, and configured to connect an electronic component disposed at the first housing and an electronic component disposed at the second housing, and a microphone module disposed at the connection part of the flexible printed circuit board.