Magnetic Foldable Support Structure for Stable Expanded Operable Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable supports for electronic devices struggle to provide a larger operable space while maintaining good support performance, which affects the user experience.

Innovation Solution

A foldable support design featuring a bottom plate, first and second support plates that rotate relative to each other, and magnetic members that attract or repel to adjust the angle of the support plates, allowing for a larger operable space and improved stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the foldable support uses a larger operable space design, then user operable space increases, but support performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperable spaceVSAvoidsupport performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple segments (first support plate and second support plate) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the structure to expand the operable space while maintaining support performance through the rotational joints that preserve structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support plates are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing rotation between different angles. The magnetic members provide dynamic control over the relative positioning of support plates, enabling the structure to adapt between compact and expanded configurations while maintaining stability in each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of moving object

If the foldable support structure is expanded to increase operable space, then user space increases, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperable spaceVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Magnetic members are pre-installed on the support plates to automatically engage and lock the plates at predetermined angles. This preliminary magnetic positioning ensures structural stability is maintained when the operable space is expanded, as the magnetic force pre-establishes stable relative positions between support plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If magnetic members are used to control support plate angles, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical locking mechanisms are replaced with magnetic members that use magnetic attraction and repulsion forces to control the angles between support plates. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, springs, and latches while improving ease of operation through automatic magnetic engagement and disengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design effectively increases the operable space for users while ensuring good support performance and stability, enhancing the overall user experience by allowing for various usage configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the first magnetic member is configured to attract the second magnetic member in a case that an included angle between the first support plate and the bottom plate is less than a preset angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the first magnetic member is further configured to repel the second magnetic member in a case that the included angle between the first support plate and the bottom plate is greater than or equal to the preset angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

the rotary mechanism has a first conductive contact point; and the first conductive contact point is configured to conduct with the first magnetic member in a case that the included angle between the first support plate and the bottom plate is less than the preset angle, to enable magnetism of the first magnetic member to attract that of the second magnetic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4220001B1Foldable support and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4220001B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4220001B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4220001B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a foldable support and an electronic device. The foldable support includes a bottom plate, a first support plate, a second support plate, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member; the first support plate is connected to the bottom plate, and is capable of rotating relative to the bottom plate; the second support plate is connected to the first support plate, is capable of rotating relative to the first support plate, and is configured to match an external structural member to support the first support plate; and the first magnetic member is arranged on the first support plate, the second magnetic member is arranged on the second support plate, and the first magnetic member is configured to attract the second magnetic member in a case that an included angle between the first support plate and the bottom plate is less than a preset angle, to enable the second support plate to be fitted with the first support plate, and is further configured to repel the second magnetic member in a case that the included angle between the first support plate and the bottom plate is greater than or equal to the preset angle, to enable the second support plate and the first support plate to be arranged at an included angle. Technical solutions of this application can increase an operable space that can be operated by a user on a basis of ensuring that the foldable support has good support performance.