Hinge Cable Protection Using Foam Barrier and Hydrophobic Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged electronic devices face challenges in securely routing signals between housing sections while protecting cables from liquid ingress and debris, especially as devices become smaller and thinner, leading to increased failure risks and user experience degradation.
Innovation Solution
A portable computing device design featuring a flexible band with a barrier device, such as a foam or hydrophobic material, positioned between the band and housing portions to prevent liquid ingress and debris accumulation, along with a mandrel surface to guide cables and limit bending, and channels or protrusions on the housing surface to direct fluids away from sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are routed around the hinge mechanism or through the clutch assembly, then signal transfer between housing sections is achieved, but the cables are exposed to liquid ingress and debris accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
A foam barrier material is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the hinge/clutch assembly. This barrier material fills the gap and prevents liquid and debris from reaching the cable, while still allowing the cable to function for signal transfer. The barrier material acts as a mediator that protects the cable without interfering with its electrical function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a foam barrier material that can conform to the flexible cable's movements. The foam material creates a protective barrier that flexes with the cable while maintaining its protective function against liquid ingress and debris accumulation in the hinge area.
2Volume of moving object
If devices are made smaller and thinner, then device portability is improved, but space for protecting cables and hinges is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The foam barrier material is applied as a thin layer or coating on the cable or within the housing, providing protection without adding significant thickness. This allows the device to remain compact while still incorporating effective cable protection against liquid and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier material is nested within the existing housing structure or cable assembly, utilizing available space efficiently. The protection structure is integrated into the existing design rather than adding external components, maintaining the device's compact form factor.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cables are protected from over-bending, then cable lifespan is extended, but more space is required for proper cable routing and protection
Solution Approach 1:
The foam barrier material provides a protective layer that prevents over-bending and mechanical damage to the cable while maintaining flexibility. The thin film nature of the barrier allows it to protect the cable without requiring additional space for bulky protection structures.
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
The solution effectively reduces liquid ingress and debris buildup, ensuring smooth operation and extending the lifespan of the device by protecting cables and components from damage, while maintaining the device's compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier device positioned between the top surface of the flexible band and at least one of the upper and lower housing portions... The barrier device can comprise a foam material
Implementation Method 2
The barrier device can comprise a foam material or a hydrophobic material
Data Source
AI summary
Invasive material ingress mitigation and control features are positioned in a hinge that uses a flexible cable and cable cover at a gap between housings of a portable electronic device. The features include hydrophobic materials on the cover or a cover-facing surface of the device housing, a barrier between the cover and the device housing, channels or protrusions on the cover-facing surface of the top case, a series of different top case surface feature modifications, and a flex cover profile modification that controls and limits contacting surface area between the cover and the top case.