Hidden Magnetic Dampers in Foldable Hinges for Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges in protecting their external appearance from impacts without compromising the expansion of the display area, as traditional impact-absorbing members often require significant space, making it difficult to integrate them effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a foldable electronic device design that includes a hinge structure with a locker & closer mechanism and damper members, such as magnetic substances, to absorb impacts and maintain the device's folding status or unfolding status based on external forces, allowing for a wider display area without the need for extensive impact-absorbing components on the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an impact absorbing member is provided on the surface of the housing, then impact protection is improved, but the display area is reduced due to narrow space for disposing the member
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorbing member is moved from the surface dimension to the internal dimension of the housing. By placing the member inside the housing along the folding axis, the patent eliminates the need for surface space while maintaining impact protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact absorbing member is nested within the housing structure, specifically positioned in the interior space along the folding axis. This nesting approach allows the protective member to occupy internal volume rather than surface area, preserving the display area.
2Area of stationary object
If a wide display part is secured, then the display area is expanded, but the space for disposing the impact absorbing member becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the impact absorbing member from surface placement to internal placement along the folding axis. This dimensional change allows the member to utilize the housing's internal volume rather than competing for surface space needed for the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the surface area is dedicated to the display, while the internal volume along the folding axis is allocated to the impact absorbing member. This segmentation resolves the spatial conflict between display expansion and protective member placement.
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
This design effectively alleviates impact damage while maintaining the device's functionality and display expansion, ensuring the electronic device can withstand external forces without compromising its folding or unfolding status.
Implementation Method 1
a first damper member disposed to a location that is farther than the locker & closer with reference to the hinge structure in the interior of the first housing structure, and including a magnetic substance; and a second damper member disposed at a location that is symmetrical to the first damper member with reference to the hinge structure in the interior of the second housing structure, and including a magnetic substance such that a repulsive force is applied when being adjacent to the first damper
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electronic device including a foldable housing including: a hinge structure; a first housing structure connected to the hinge structure; and a second housing structure connected to the hinge structure and being foldable with the first housing structure about the hinge structure. The foldable electronic device further including a flexible display disposed to be viewable from outside of the device; a locker & closer configured such that the foldable housing maintains an unfolding status or a folding status; a first damper member disposed in the interior of the first housing structure and including a magnetic substance; and a second damper member disposed in the interior of the second housing structure and including a magnetic substance such that a repulsive force is applied when being adjacent to the first damper member. In addition, electronic devices according to various embodiments can be provided.