Waterproof Structure for Foldable Electronic Device Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in mass production due to difficulties in manufacturing waterproof members, which are crucial for preventing moisture and foreign substance intrusion, leading to instability in operation performance.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a waterproof structure comprising a first and second housing with through-holes, flexible circuit boards, support brackets, and waterproof members and sealing members to ensure stable waterproof and dustproof performance, with the waterproof members being integrally formed with the support brackets for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof member is disposed in the electronic device to block moisture and foreign substances, then waterproof performance is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to difficulties in manufacturing the waterproof member and its constituent elements
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member is integrally formed with the support bracket, combining two previously separate components into a single unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes for the waterproof member and support bracket, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining effective waterproofing through the through-hole configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof structure is divided into multiple waterproof members (first waterproof member, second waterproof member, third waterproof member, fourth waterproof member) that are strategically positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each waterproof member to be independently manufactured and positioned to address specific waterproofing needs at different through-holes, simplifying the overall manufacturing process
2Reliability
If multiple waterproof members are used to ensure stable waterproof performance, then waterproof reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member is integrally formed with the support bracket, combining two previously separate components into a single unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes for the waterproof member and support bracket, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining effective waterproofing through the through-hole configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket serves dual functions: providing structural support for the flexible circuit board and serving as an integral part of the waterproof member. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device while maintaining both structural integrity and waterproof performance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge housing disposed between the first housing and the second housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing are configured to have a folded state or an unfolded state with respect to each other, wherein the first housing includes a first through-hole formed in a first proximity of the hinge housing, and the second housing includes a second through-hole formed in a second proximity of the hinge housing; a flexible display including a first display area and a second display area accommodated in the first housing and the second housing, respectively; a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed across the hinge housing such that a first ending portion of the FPCB is located in the first housing via the first through-hole, and a second ending portion of the FPCB is located in the second housing via the second through-hole; a waterproof member disposed in the first through-hole such that the waterproof member is in contact with a portion of the FPCB and a portion of an inner surface of the first through-hole; and a sealing member disposed to substantially cover an ending surface of the waterproof member.