Hingeless Electronic Device with Shape-Preserving Cover

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with hinge structures face challenges in reducing thickness and weight, as the hinge increases the device's thickness when folded, limiting design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design that maintains an angle between two display units without a hinge, utilizing a cover unit with shape-preserving members that allow the display units to be connected and maintained at a specific angle through external force, using materials like ethylene homopolymers or ethylene-α-olefin copolymers for the shape-preserving members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hinge structure is used to connect two display units, then the display units can be connected and maintained at a certain angle, but the thickness of the electronic device increases when folded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle maintenanceVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinge structure entirely from the system and replaces it with shape-preserving members integrated into the cover unit. This extraction of the problematic hinge component eliminates the thickness increase while maintaining the angle maintenance function through the elastic deformation characteristics of the shape-preserving members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cover unit by incorporating shape-preserving members made of specific elastic materials. These members can deform elastically under external force and return to their original shape, enabling angle maintenance without the mechanical complexity and thickness of a hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a hinge structure is used to connect two display units, then the display units can be connected and maintained at a certain angle, but the weight of the electronic device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle maintenanceVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinge structure entirely from the system and replaces it with shape-preserving members integrated into the cover unit. This extraction of the problematic hinge component eliminates the weight increase while maintaining the angle maintenance function through the elastic deformation characteristics of the shape-preserving members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cover unit by incorporating shape-preserving members made of specific elastic materials. These members can deform elastically under external force and return to their original shape, enabling angle maintenance without the mechanical complexity and weight of a hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a hinge structure is used to connect two display units, then the display units can be connected, but the design flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinge structure entirely from the system and replaces it with shape-preserving members integrated into the cover unit. This extraction of the problematic hinge component eliminates the weight increase while maintaining the angle maintenance function through the elastic deformation characteristics of the shape-preserving members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cover unit by incorporating shape-preserving members made of specific elastic materials. These members can deform elastically under external force and return to their original shape, enabling angle maintenance without the mechanical complexity and weight of a hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables reduced thickness and weight by eliminating the need for hinges, allowing for more design flexibility and maintaining a desired angle between display units, enhancing portability and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a connection unit including a shape-preserving member, which is configured to allow the display unit and the functional unit to be maintained at a certain angle, when an angle between the first cover part and the second cover part is changed by an external force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3041202B1Electronic devices

Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device capable of maintaining an angle between two display units at a certain angle, without any hinge structure is provided. The electronic device includes a display unit including a first display unit and a functional unit spaced apart from each other, the functional unit being equipped with an electronic component, a cover unit including a first cover part and a second cover part, to which the first display unit and the functional unit are respectively attached, and a connection unit including a shape-preserving member, which is configured to allow the display unit and the functional unit to be maintained at a certain angle, when an angle between the first cover part and the second cover part is changed by an external force.