Foldable Hinge Signal Switching for Fewer Cross-Board Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face challenges with an excessively large number of cross-hinge signal lines and circuit board area occupancy due to high-speed signal requirements, leading to low space utilization and increased device size.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a switch assembly that switches between mutually exclusive branches of signal lines, reducing the need for multiple signal lines by reusing the same line for different modules, and using flexible printed circuits to connect boards, thereby minimizing the number of cross-hinge signal lines and connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If more cross-hinge signal lines are used to support high-speed signals, then signal transmission capability is improved, but circuit board area and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single cross-hinge signal line to serve multiple modules through the switch assembly. The signal line can be dynamically allocated to different modules (e.g., display module, image capture module, audio module) based on operational needs, allowing one physical line to fulfill multiple communication functions and reducing the total number of lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the switch assembly that can dynamically reconfigure signal line connections in real-time. The switch assembly responds to control signals to change which module is connected to which signal line, allowing the system to adapt its signal routing based on current operational requirements, thereby optimizing resource utilization and reducing permanent wiring requirements.
2Reliability
If more board-to-board connectors are fastened to support increased signal lines, then signal connectivity is improved, but space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly provides universal connectivity by allowing a single physical connector to serve multiple modules through dynamic switching. Instead of requiring separate dedicated connectors for each module, the system uses one connector with a switch assembly that can route signals to any connected module, significantly reducing the number of connectors needed and improving space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple signal routing functions into a single connector assembly by integrating the switch assembly with the connector. This consolidation combines what would traditionally require multiple separate connectors into one unified interface, reducing the physical footprint and simplifying the overall connector architecture while maintaining full signal connectivity capabilities.
3Reliability
If cross-hinge signal lines are increased for high-speed signals, then transmission quality is improved, but wiring area and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly ensures continuous useful action by maintaining active connections only to modules that currently need signal transmission. By dynamically switching connections based on operational state, the system ensures that signal lines are continuously utilized for their intended purpose without idle connections, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the wiring area and reducing resource waste.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An embodiment of this application provides a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device includes a main board, a sub-board, a processor, a first switch assembly, a first signal line, a first module, and a second module. The main board and the sub-board are connected through a hinge. The first module and the second module operate in a mutually exclusive manner. The processor is located on the main board. The first module and the second module are located on the sub-board. The first switch assembly is connected between the processor and the first module through the first signal line to form a first branch. The first switch assembly is connected between the processor and the second module through the first signal line to form a second branch. The first signal line is located in the hinge. The first switch assembly is configured to conduct the first branch or the second branch. Based on the technical solutions of this application, the switch assembly is disposed to switch between the branches between the processor and the modules that operate in the mutually exclusive manner to reuse the cross-hinge signal line, thereby reducing a quantity of lines during wiring and a wiring area, avoiding a resource waste, and reducing difficulty in designing the hinge.