Hinge Opening Structure With Anti-Rotation Hold at Full Open

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opening/closing structures for electronic devices, such as those using magnets, friction, or tension of injection-molded products, suffer from weak holding power, durability issues, and operational feel degradation, leading to rattling, movement, and manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a body, hinge member, guide member, and elastic member that includes anti-rotation surfaces and a concave area, allowing for semi-automatic operation and maintaining the operation feeling through elastic force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a separate module structure is used for camera, flash, and sensor, then each component can be independently optimized, but the overall device complexity increases and space efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent component optimizationVSAvoidmodule integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the camera lens, flash lamp, and sensor into a single integrated module structure where multiple functional components are arranged in close proximity and share common structural elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining independent optimization capabilities for each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the sensor is positioned behind the camera lens, and the flash lamp is integrated alongside these components within the same module housing, allowing compact stacking of functional elements to improve space efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple components are integrated into a compact module, then space efficiency improves, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule footprint areaVSAvoidheat accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration, positioning the sensor behind the lens and integrating the flash lamp alongside them, thereby reducing the module's footprint area while creating vertical pathways for heat dissipation

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

3Reliability

If the opening/closing structure is added to protect the camera module, then protection capability improves, but the structure complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera module protectionVSAvoidopening/closing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the opening/closing structure to serve multiple functions: it protects the camera module from damage, prevents foreign objects from entering, and can be integrated with the display structure, thereby reducing the need for separate protective components and simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4492814B1Electronic device comprising opening/closing structure
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4492814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4492814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4492814B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a first body comprising a first anti-rotation surface; an opening/closing structure; a second body connected to the first body via the opening/closing structure; and an accommodation space formed by the first body and the second body. The opening/closing structure may comprise a hinge member, a contact area, a guide member, and an elastic member, and may switch from a first state, in which the accommodation space is closed, to a second state, in which the accommodation space is opened, depending on a position in which the guide member and the contact area are in contact. At least a portion of the first anti-rotation surface may be in contact with a second anti-rotation surface while the accommodation space is maximally opened.