Hinge Cover for Foldable Electronic Device Appearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining a good appearance while allowing for deformation, as mechanical structures exposed during folding or unfolding can impair the device's aesthetics and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a hinge cover that is designed to be in harmony with the device's appearance, providing a comfortable grip even when exposed. This hinge cover is strategically positioned between the housings and is coupled to surround at least a part of the hinge module, with inclined faces that form a continuous surface with the housings, minimizing visual and tactile discontinuities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical structures are exposed outward to enable folding or unfolding deformation, then the device can be deformed for portability, but the appearance of the electronic device is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
A hinge cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second housings. The hinge cover surrounds the hinge module and is configured to be substantially continuous with the outer faces of the housings, thereby mediating between the mechanical folding structure and the external appearance, allowing deformation while maintaining aesthetic continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge cover is designed with different characteristics for different regions: it provides structural coverage and continuity for appearance maintenance in exposed areas, while allowing mechanical functionality in the hinge region. The outer face of the hinge cover forms a substantially continuous inclined face or curved face with the housings, creating local aesthetic quality that harmonizes with the overall device appearance
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical structures are exposed outward during folding or unfolding, then the device can be deformed, but the tactile experience and sense of grip are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge cover is designed with specific surface characteristics that differ from the housings in certain regions, creating a harmonious tactile transition. The outer face forms continuous inclined or curved faces that provide smooth tactile surfaces, enhancing grip comfort while allowing the mechanical folding function to operate underneath
3Shape
If the hinge cover is positioned to surround the hinge module, then the mechanical structure is protected and appearance is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge cover is integrated with the first and second housings such that its outer face forms a substantially continuous surface with the housings' outer faces. This merging of surfaces eliminates the need for separate aesthetic treatments or additional components, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining appearance continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the hinge module, maintains appearance continuity, provides tactile harmony, and structurally connects the first and second housings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include: a first housing, a second housing rotatably coupled with the first housing and configured to rotate between a first position at which the second housing at least partially faces the first housing and a second position at which the second housing is unfolded at a specified angle from the first position, a hinge module including a hinge providing at least one folding axis and rotatably coupling the first housing and the second housing about the folding axis, and a hinge cover disposed between the first housing and the second housing and coupled to surround at least a part of the hinge module, and at least one part of the hinge cover may be configured to be located closer to the hinge module at the second position than at the first position.