Haptic Actuator Orientation in Foldable Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices, haptic actuators installed in one housing structure face attenuation and interference when passing through the hinge structure, leading to ineffective vibration transfer to the entire display surface, especially during physical deformation between housing structures.
Innovation Solution
The haptic actuator is arranged inside or adjacent to the hinge structure and configured in parallel with the folding axis of the hinge, ensuring that vibrations are directly transmitted to both housing structures, thereby maintaining effective haptic feedback across the entire surface regardless of physical deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a haptic actuator is arranged in one housing structure, then the device structure is simple, but the vibration is attenuated when passing through the hinge structure
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure serves as an intermediary component that directly transmits vibrations from the haptic actuator to both housing structures. By positioning the actuator at the hinge, the vibration transmission path is optimized to reduce attenuation while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a haptic actuator is arranged in one housing structure, then the device structure is simple, but the haptic feedback is interfered with by the other housing structure
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure acts as a mediator that distributes vibrations uniformly to both housing structures, ensuring effective haptic feedback across the entire display surface regardless of the physical deformation state.
3Device complexity
If the haptic actuator is arranged at one side of one housing structure, then the device layout is simple, but the vibration amplitude is not effectively transferred to each housing structure
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic actuator is arranged in parallel with the folding axis of the hinge structure, utilizing the dimensional relationship between the actuator orientation and the hinge rotation axis to achieve effective vibration transfer to both housing structures during folding operations.
4Shape
If the haptic actuator vibrates in the Z-axis direction, then the vibration is perpendicular to the display, but the overall thickness variation reduces haptic effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic actuator is arranged asymmetrically in parallel with the folding axis rather than perpendicular to it, allowing the vibration direction to remain effective despite the thickness variations that occur during folding operations.
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 ensures uniform and effective haptic feedback across the foldable electronic device's surface, even during changes in shape, by directly transferring vibrations through the hinge structure to both housing structures, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic actuator generating vibrations having an amplitude in the Z-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the display) may be arranged in one housing structure
Implementation Method 2
The haptic actuator may generate a vibration force deviation for each location of the electronic device
Implementation Method 3
a hinge structure arranged between the first housing structure and the second housing structure and configured to provide a rotational movement between the first housing structure and the second housing structure
Implementation Method 4
a flexible display extending from the first housing structure across the hinge structure to the second housing structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first housing structure, a second housing structure arranged adjacent to the first housing structure, a hinge structure arranged between the first housing structure and the second housing structure and providing a rotational movement between the first housing structure and the second housing structure, a flexible display extending from the first housing structure to the second housing structure, across the hinge structure, and at least one haptic actuator arranged in the hinge structure or adjacent to the hinge structure. The at least one haptic actuator may be arranged in parallel with the folding axis direction of the hinge structure so as to output vibrations corresponding to the folding axis.