Multi-Foldable Display Housing Structure for Thin, Parallel Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-foldable electronic devices face increased thickness and visibility issues when folded due to eccentric housing structure alignment and non-parallel display orientation, affecting portability and usability on cradle surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A multi-foldable electronic device design featuring a first and second hinge structure that allows the first and second housing structures to face the same direction in the unfolded state and the third and fourth surfaces to face the same direction, with a recess on the second surface to reduce thickness and ensure parallel alignment with the cradle surface in the folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display is folded with curvature in the vicinity of the hinge structure to allow in-folding, then the display areas can face each other, but the thickness of the multi-foldable electronic device increases in the folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thickness compensation structure that extends in the thickness direction to compensate for the curvature-induced thickness increase. This structure includes a compensation portion that protrudes from the housing structure in the thickness direction, effectively counterbalancing the dimensional change caused by folding curvature and maintaining overall device thickness consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the housing structure by creating an uneven surface with recessed and protruded portions. The compensation structure is positioned asymmetrically relative to the hinge structure, with specific portions extending more than others to precisely counterbalance the thickness variation caused by the folding curvature at different locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display is folded with curvature in the vicinity of the hinge structure, then in-folding is enabled, but the display is not parallel to the cradle surface when placed on a cradle, deteriorating visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness compensation structure extends in the thickness direction to create an uneven housing surface. This dimensional extension compensates for the curvature-induced non-parallelism, ensuring that the outer surface of the housing structure becomes parallel to the cradle surface when folded, thereby improving visibility and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific recessed and protruded portions at different locations of the housing structure. The compensation portions are strategically positioned and sized to locally adjust the surface orientation, ensuring that the display surface becomes parallel to the cradle surface at the critical viewing area while maintaining folding capability at the hinge region.
3Volume of moving object
If housing structures are folded in an out-folding manner with display areas on outer surfaces, then portability is improved, but two housing structures contact each other causing structural constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure into multiple independent portions with distinct functions: support portions that maintain structural integrity, compensation portions that adjust for dimensional changes, and recessed portions that accommodate hinge mechanisms. This segmentation allows each portion to independently address specific structural requirements during folding, reducing overall structural constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness compensation structure acts as an intermediary element between the folding hinge structure and the outer housing surfaces. It mediates the dimensional changes and structural interactions during folding, absorbing and distributing the mechanical stresses to prevent direct contact and constraint between the first and second housing structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes a foldable housing, wherein through a first hinge structure, the second surface of a first housing structure face the fourth surface of a second housing structure in a folded state and the first surface of the first housing structure and the third surface of the second housing structure face in the same direction in an unfolded state, and through a second hinge structure, the third surface faces the fifth surface of a third housing structure in the folded state and the third surface and the fifth surface face in the same direction in the unfolded state; and a flexible display, wherein the second surface includes a recess whose vertical distance to the first surface is shorter than a vertical distance of a nearby site, and the fourth surface includes a portion corresponding to the recess to make surface contact with the second surface.