Foldable Hinge Slider Mechanism for FPCB Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction in hinge size in foldable electronic devices increases the curvature and stress on the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), leading to potential cracks due to bending fatigue in both the unfolded and folded states.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hinge mechanism that includes a hinge body, support plates, and sliders that allow the FPCB to move along these support plates during unfolding, reducing curvature and stress by moving both ends of the FPCB apart, thereby minimizing the risk of cracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hinge size is reduced to expand internal space, then the internal space of the foldable electronic device is increased, but the curvature and stress on the FPCB increase leading to potential cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the FPCB to move dynamically along the support plate during hinge rotation. The FPCB is not fixed at both ends but can slide along the support plate, allowing it to adjust its position and reduce curvature stress during folding and unfolding operations. This dynamic movement capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while accommodating the reduced hinge size.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate serves as an intermediary element between the hinge and the FPCB. It provides a guided path for the FPCB to move along, mediating the stress and deformation during hinge rotation. The support plate with its specific surface features (grooves, ridges, or inclined surfaces) acts as a mediator that controls and distributes the mechanical stress, preventing direct concentration on the FPCB and thus preventing cracks while enabling the compact hinge design.
2Shape
If the FPCB length is increased to reduce curvature, then the curvature of the FPCB is reduced, but the FPCB may be caught on hinge components during folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate acts as an intermediary that guides the FPCB movement and prevents it from being caught on hinge components. The support plate's surface features (grooves, ridges, or inclined surfaces) provide a controlled path that directs the FPCB away from potential catching points on the hinge components during the folding operation, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced curvature and preventing catching.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPCB, through its ability to move along the support plate, serves itself by automatically adjusting its position to avoid being caught on hinge components. The movement capability allows the FPCB to navigate the folding motion independently, using the support plate as a guide, thus preventing the harmful catching effect without requiring additional active control mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the hinge size is reduced, then the compactness of the device is improved, but the degree of deformation of the FPCB increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the FPCB to move along the support plate during hinge rotation. This movement capability enables the FPCB to accommodate the increased deformation caused by the reduced hinge size without suffering damage. The FPCB dynamically adjusts its position and shape during the folding operation, resolving the contradiction between compact hinge design and FPCB deformation control.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various example embodiments, a foldable electronic device configured to move a flexible printed circuit board along a support plate during an unfolding operation may include: a hinge configured to support a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the hinge may include: a hinge body, a support plate rotatably connected to the hinge body, a slider slidable along the support plate and configured to support the flexible printed circuit board, and a connecting part configured to connect the support plate and a connecting plate.