Magnetic Connection Members for Foldable Electronic Device Body Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with foldable body parts often experience loose connections and damage to connection terminals due to repeated opening and closing, leading to unreliable electrical communication.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetically coupled connection members with flat and curved areas on the first and second body parts allows for secure coupling without insertion, utilizing magnets and metal bodies to maintain contact and prevent magnetic leakage, enabling easy folding and unfolding while minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional insertion structures (connection terminals in grooves) are used to connect body parts, then electrical communication can be established, but repeated opening and closing causes the connection to become loose and damages the connection terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical insertion connection system with a magnetic connection system. Magnets are embedded in connection members that protrude from each body part, creating a magnetic attraction force that holds the bodies together without physical insertion into grooves. This substitution eliminates wear and loosening issues associated with repeated mechanical insertion and removal, while maintaining secure connection and electrical communication throughout the device's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces connection members as intermediary elements between the first and second body parts. These connection members contain magnets that generate magnetic force to attract and hold the body parts together. The connection members also contain connection terminals for electrical communication. This intermediary structure protects the connection terminals from direct exposure and damage while enabling both mechanical coupling and electrical connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If connection terminals are disposed within grooves for protection, then they are shielded from damage, but repeated opening and closing still causes connection loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the groove-based mechanical retention system with a magnetic attraction system. Instead of relying on connection terminals being inserted into and retained by grooves, the connection members with embedded magnets create a magnetic field that holds the body parts together. This eliminates the loosening problem that occurs with repeated mechanical insertion and removal while keeping the connection terminals protected within the connection members.
3Ease of operation
If magnets are used for magnetic coupling, then secure connection without insertion is achieved, but magnetic leakage may occur affecting aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces connection members as intermediary elements that contain both the magnets and the connection terminals. These connection members act as mediators that shield the magnetic fields from direct exposure to the external environment, preventing magnetic leakage while maintaining the magnetic coupling function. The connection members can be designed with aesthetic finishes that hide the magnetic components, eliminating visible distortion or attraction of nearby metallic objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds magnets within the connection members, creating a nested structure where the magnetic elements are contained inside the connection member housing. This nesting approach prevents magnetic leakage to the external environment while maintaining the magnetic attraction function for coupling body parts. The connection terminals are also nested within the same structure, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
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 solution ensures stable and reliable electrical communication by maintaining a secure connection between the body parts, reducing the risk of damage and improving the aesthetic appearance of the device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first connection member and the second connection member includes a magnet and a metal body magnetically coupled to the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device provided. The electronic device includes a first body part including a first connection member and a second body part including a second connection member. At least one of the first connection member and the second connection member includes and a portion having a first flat area and a second area. The second area having a generally curved configuration and extending from the first flat area for magnetically coupling the first body part and the second body part to each other.