Foldable Hinge Housing Layout for a Thinner Folded Phone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable mobile phones are thick in the folded state, leading to poor appearance and handling experience.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electronic device with a hinge apparatus connecting two housings, featuring a flexible display and uneven thickness distribution, allowing for a thin folded state and improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional foldable mobile phone structure is used, then the device can be folded, but the device becomes thick in folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a traditional side-fold configuration to a top-fold configuration. The hinge apparatus is positioned at the top end of the device rather than at the side, allowing the device to fold in a different dimensional orientation. This enables the device to achieve a thinner profile in the folded state by utilizing the top surface area for folding rather than adding thickness at the sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the thickness distribution of the second housing. The second housing has different thicknesses at its two ends, with the end away from the hinge apparatus being thinner. This asymmetric design allows the device to achieve an aesthetically pleasing thin appearance at the bottom end when folded, while maintaining structural integrity near the hinge apparatus where greater thickness is needed for mechanical support.
2Ease of manufacture
If the second housing has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simpler, but appearance experience is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the second housing at different locations. Specifically, the second housing has a first thickness at the end close to the hinge apparatus and a second, smaller thickness at the end away from the hinge apparatus. This localized variation in thickness allows the device to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance with a thin bottom end, while maintaining sufficient structural strength near the hinge mechanism where it is most needed.
3Length of stationary object
If the device is made thin in folded state, then appearance and handling are improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in the thickness distribution of the second housing. The second housing has different thicknesses at its two ends, with the end away from the hinge apparatus being thinner. This asymmetric design allows the device to achieve an aesthetically pleasing thin appearance at the bottom end when folded, while maintaining structural integrity near the hinge apparatus where greater thickness is needed for mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the second housing at different locations. Specifically, the second housing has a first thickness at the end close to the hinge apparatus and a second, smaller thickness at the end away from the hinge apparatus. This localized variation in thickness allows the device to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance with a thin bottom end, while maintaining sufficient structural strength near the hinge mechanism where it is most needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides an electronic device, including a first housing, a hinge apparatus, a second housing, and a flexible display, where two opposite ends of the hinge apparatus are respectively connected to the first housing and the second housing, and the hinge apparatus can be deformed, so that the first housing is folded or unfolded relative to the second housing, and the flexible display is mounted on the first housing and the second housing; and a thickness of one end that is of the second housing and that is close to the hinge apparatus is different from a thickness of one end that is of the second housing and that is away from the hinge apparatus, and in a folded state, a thickness of one end that is of the electronic device and that is close to the hinge apparatus is different from a thickness of one end that is of the electronic device and that is away from the hinge apparatus. The electronic device in this application is thin when being folded. This implements good appearance experience, and is conducive to holding the electronic device by a hand.