Foldable Hinge Cover Structure for Heat Recirculation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic devices face poor heat dissipation due to hot air recirculation caused by the hinge module pushing the host off the platform during unfolding, leading to inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device design featuring a hinge module with a protruding rod that drives a cover to rotate synchronously, providing additional exhaust openings and blocking recirculation paths to ensure cold air intake and improve heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge module is used to enable the first body and second body to rotate relative to each other for folding and unfolding, then the device achieves foldability and portability, but the hinge module pushes the host off the platform during unfolding, creating a gap that allows hot air to recirculate back to the fan inlet
Solution Approach 1:
A cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the first body and second body. The cover is driven by the hinge module to rotate synchronously with the first body, and it blocks the gap between the first body and second body during folding and unfolding, preventing hot air from recirculating to the fan inlet while still allowing the hinge module to push the host off the platform for foldability
2Speed
If the hinge module pushes the host off the platform during unfolding, then the host is elevated to create space for airflow, but this action creates a gap between the screen and host that allows hot air to escape and recirculate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful hot air recirculation path created by the hinge module's action of pushing the host off the platform, while allowing the airflow speed benefit to be maintained through the controlled exhaust openings
3Device complexity
If exhaust openings are provided only on the rear side of the host, then the structure is simple, but the heat dissipation efficiency is limited due to hot air recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust opening function is segmented between two locations: the rear side of the host and the second body. The cover rotates to control the exhaust opening on the second body, creating additional exhaust pathways that improve heat dissipation without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust opening configuration is made dynamic through the rotating cover. The cover rotates synchronously with the first body during folding and unfolding, dynamically opening and closing exhaust passages on the second body to optimize heat dissipation at different device states
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
Enhances heat dissipation performance by increasing airflow discharge areas and preventing hot air recirculation, maintaining effective cooling even during folding and unfolding processes.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge module has a protruding rod eccentric to a rotation center of the hinge module. The cover is pivoted to the second body. The cover is located on a moving path of the protruding rod. The hinge module drives the cover to be rotated relative to the second body via the protruding rod.
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal fan is installed in the host, so that the cold air flows into the host and the fan from the bottom of the host, and then the hot air flows out of the host from the rear side of the host
Implementation Method 3
Some of the electronic components inside these foldable electronic devices usually generate heat during operation
Implementation Method 4
a cooling element, such as a cooling fan, is usually arranged inside the device to help dissipate the heat generated by the electronic components to the outside of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device including a first body, a second body, a hinge module, and a cover is provided. The hinge module is connected to the first body and the second body, such that the first body and the second body are rotated relatively to be folded or unfolded via the hinge module. The hinge module has a protruding rod eccentric to a rotation center of the hinge module. The cover is pivoted to the second body and located on a moving path of the protruding rod. The hinge module drives the cover to be rotated relative to the second body via the protruding rod.