Handheld Device Housing with Nested Camera Array and Wireless Charging Coil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern handheld electronic devices face challenges in integrating multiple subsystems such as touch-sensitive displays, wireless communications, cameras, and batteries into a compact and reliable form that can withstand daily use, while providing a wide range of functionalities.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a mobile phone enclosure with a front cover assembly, rear cover assembly, and a housing subassembly that includes a camera array and battery, with a charging coil for wireless charging, and uses a combination of metals like aluminum alloy for the core and titanium alloy for the cladding to enhance durability and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple subsystems (cameras, battery, wireless charging) are integrated into a compact enclosure, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple components including front cover assembly, rear cover assembly, and housing subassembly with distinct functional zones. The camera array is segmented into multiple cameras positioned in an interior cavity, and the charging coil is separately positioned between the rear cover and lower chassis section, allowing independent assembly and manufacturing of each subsystem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The camera array is nested within the interior cavity defined by the housing subassembly, with cameras extending through the lower chassis section. The charging coil is nested between the rear cover and the second side of the lower chassis section, enabling compact integration of multiple subsystems within the enclosure without increasing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If camera array and battery are positioned in the interior cavity, then device functionality is improved, but available space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera array utilizes the depth dimension by extending cameras through the lower chassis section into the interior cavity, while the battery is positioned in the same cavity but coupled to the first side of the lower chassis section. The charging coil is positioned in a different spatial zone between the rear cover and second side of the lower chassis section, allowing multiple components to coexist in three-dimensional space without significant volume conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the lower chassis section is welded to housing components, then structural strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lower chassis section is constructed from aluminum alloy providing structural strength, while the front cover assembly and rear cover assembly incorporate titanium alloy cladding portions bonded to aluminum alloy core portions. This composite material approach achieves high structural strength and durability while allowing modular manufacturing of different housing components that can be joined through welding and bonding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration allows for a compact, reliable, and versatile mobile phone that effectively integrates various subsystems, enhancing durability and functionality while enabling wireless charging and efficient power management.

Implementation Method 1

a charging coil positioned between the rear cover and the second side of the lower chassis section, the charging coil configured to wirelessly couple to a charging accessory to receive power for the mobile phone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4407968A1Handheld electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 APPLE INC
  • EP4407968A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4407968A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4407968A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A portable electronic device may include a housing component defining a side exterior surface of the portable electronic device and a front cover assembly coupled to the housing component and including a front cover defining a front exterior surface of the portable electronic device and an interior surface opposite to the front exterior surface, a display stack attached to the interior surface of the front cover, a support frame coupled to the display stack and defining a plurality of engagement features, and a molded frame member coupled to the interior surface of the front cover and extending at least partially around a periphery of the display stack, the molded frame member encapsulating at least a portion of the support frame and engaging the plurality of engagement features.