Foldable Hinge Cable Routing and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with waterproof hinges face challenges in maintaining waterproofness due to complex structures and compromised sealing around the hinge connections, leading to potential water and moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a joint with a connection and fixed portion that rotatably connects movable and main housings, featuring a seal structure that seals between the movable and main housings, and between the joint's connection and fixed portions, ensuring the cable extends internally to maintain waterproofness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric connection member is inserted into the hinge which connects a plurality of housings, then electrical connection is achieved, but the structure of the hinge becomes complicated and waterproofness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is inserted through the interior space of the connection portion, nesting the cable within the hinge structure rather than having it pass through separate openings. This integrates multiple functions (structural support, cable routing, sealing) into a single nested configuration, simplifying the overall hinge structure while maintaining waterproofness
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the hinge's structural framework, creates the rotational joint between housings, contains and protects the cable within its interior space, and works with the seal structure to prevent water ingress. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function
2Ease of manufacture
If the hinge structure is simplified, then manufacturing becomes easier, but waterproofness around the hinge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal structure is positioned within the interior space of the connection portion, nesting the sealing function inside the existing hinge structure. This eliminates the need for separate external sealing components and complex assembly steps, making manufacturing easier while ensuring waterproofness through the integrated seal-hinge configuration
3Ease of operation
If multiple openings are provided in housings for cable passage, then cable routing is simplified, but waterproofness deteriorates due to increased ingress points
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is nested within the connection portion's interior space, allowing the cable to pass through the hinge structure itself rather than requiring separate openings in the housings. This single integrated routing path simplifies cable installation while eliminating multiple potential water ingress points, as the seal structure protects the entire cable passage area
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus of an embodiment includes a movable housing, a main housing, a joint, a cable, and a seal structure. The joint includes a connection portion connected to the movable housing, and a fixed portion connected to the main housing. The cable extends from an inside of the movable housing to an inside of the main housing through an inside of the connection portion and an inside of the fixed portion. The seal structure seals between the movable housing and the connection portion, and seals between the main housing and the fixed portions.