Foldable Device Hinge Structures for Dust Sealing and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining a seal around the hinge structure to prevent contaminants from entering and ensuring components move in an intended manner, which can lead to deformation and functional interference.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of dustproof structures and support structures to maintain a constant gap between housings and the hinge, preventing contamination and ensuring intended component alignment during folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the foldable electronic device is folded, then the screen size can be maintained while improving portability, but contaminants can enter through the hinge structure and components may deform
Solution Approach 1:
A dustproof structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the first housing and the hinge housing. This dustproof structure includes a dustproof protrusion that fits into a dustproof recess, creating a seal that prevents contaminants from entering the device through the hinge structure during folding and unfolding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dustproof structure employs a flexible sealing mechanism where the dustproof protrusion and dustproof recess work together to maintain a seal. The structure allows for movement and deformation during folding while maintaining the seal integrity, preventing contamination without rigid constraints.
2Volume of moving object
If the foldable electronic device is folded, then portability is improved, but components may move in an unintended fashion causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The dustproof structure serves as a mediator that guides and constrains the movement of components during folding. By providing a defined path through the dustproof protrusion and dustproof recess, the structure ensures that components move in an intended fashion and maintain proper alignment, preventing unintended deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure changes the physical parameters of the hinge mechanism by introducing a dustproof protrusion with specific dimensional constraints. This modifies the movement parameters of the components, ensuring they follow the correct trajectory and maintain stable composition during the folding operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge structure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, a hinge housing where the hinge structure is disposed, a first dustproof structure and a second dustproof structure disposed between the first housing and the hinge housing, and a first support structure disposed between the first dustproof structure and the second dustproof structure in a lengthwise direction of the hinge housing. The first dustproof structure and the first support structure make contact with each other or are spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than a length of the first support structure, and the second dustproof structure and the first support structure make contact with each other or are spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than the length of the first support structure.