Movable Magnetic Shield for Foldable Device Digitizer Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in maintaining a folded state due to elastic forces, and magnetic fields from magnets used for folding can interfere with touch inputs and attract foreign materials, causing errors or contamination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic shield member that is movable relative to the magnets, allowing it to overlap them only in the unfolded state, reducing magnetic interference and preventing foreign materials from adhering to the screen in the folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a magnet is disposed in the housing to maintain the folded state, then the folded state stability is improved, but magnetic interference with touch inputs and attraction of foreign materials occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic shield member is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnet and the digitizer/display. This shield member selectively blocks magnetic field lines, preventing them from reaching the digitizer and causing interference with touch inputs, while allowing the magnet to maintain its function of holding the folded state
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into multiple sections with the magnetic shield member positioned in a specific region between the magnet and the digitizer. This segmentation allows the magnetic field to be contained in specific zones, maintaining folded state stability in one region while protecting sensitive components in another region from magnetic interference
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the magnetic shield member is positioned to overlap the magnet in the unfolded state, then magnetic interference is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic shield member is designed to be movable relative to the magnet, changing its position based on whether the device is in folded or unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the shield member is positioned to block magnetic field interference with the digitizer. In the folded state, the shield member moves away from the magnet position, allowing the structure to remain compact without requiring additional complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shield member serves multiple functions: it blocks magnetic interference with the digitizer when the device is unfolded, maintains structural integrity during folding, and can be integrated into existing housing components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby minimizing overall device complexity
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 magnetic shield effectively maintains the folded state of the device by reducing magnetic interference with touch inputs and preventing foreign material adherence, enhancing the device's functionality and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic shield member configured to reduce the influence of the magnet on the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include: a foldable housing including: a hinge; a first housing connected to the hinge and including a first face facing a first direction and a second face facing a second direction opposite the first direction; and a second housing connected to the hinge and including a third face facing a third direction and a fourth face facing a fourth direction opposite the third direction, the second housing configured to be folded relative to the first housing about the hinge, wherein, in a folded state, the first face faces the third face, and, in an unfolded state, the third direction is the same as the first direction; a display including a first portion and a second portion extending from the first face to the third face to form the first face and the third face, respectively; a digitizer including a third portion disposed between the first portion of the display and the second face and a fourth portion disposed between the second portion of the display and the fourth face; a first magnet disposed in the first housing to overlap the third portion of the digitizer when viewed from above the second face; a second magnet disposed in the second housing to overlap the fourth portion of the digitizer when viewed from above the fourth face and to face the first magnet in the folded state; a first magnetic shield fixed to the hinge and at least partially disposed in the first housing, the first magnetic shield configured to be movable relative to the first magnet wherein, when viewed from above the second face, the first magnetic shield member does not overlap the first magnet in the folded state and overlaps the first magnet in the unfolded state; and a second magnetic shield fixed to the hinge and at least partially disposed in the second housing, the second magnetic shield configured to be movable relative to the second magnet wherein, when viewed from above the second face, the second magnetic shield member does not overlap the second magnet in the folded state and overlaps the second magnet in the unfolded state.