Rotating Circular Waveguide for Foldable Device Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for routing high-data rate signals in foldable electronic devices are inadequate due to mechanical stress, reliability issues, and increased costs associated with high-speed interconnects, particularly in thinner form factors where bend radii are smaller, leading to performance degradation and frequent cable failures.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable circular waveguide structure that leverages existing rotating hinge metal structures to route data signals via electromagnetic radiation, eliminating the need for wired connections and reducing mechanical stress, using circular waveguide sections and RFIC transitions to enable bidirectional data communication between device portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed interconnect cables are routed through the hinge to support high data rates, then data transmission capability is improved, but mechanical reliability deteriorates due to repeated bending and rotational stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired interconnects (cables, FFCs, FPCs) with wireless communication technology. The hinge structure incorporates wireless transceivers and antennas that enable high-data-rate communication without physical cables passing through the rotating hinge, thereby eliminating mechanical wear and reliability issues associated with repeated bending and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the wired interconnect components from the hinge assembly. By eliminating cables, connectors, and printed circuit boards from the rotating hinge structure, the design removes the source of mechanical stress and failure points, achieving both high data rates and improved reliability simultaneously.
2Speed
If multiple high-performance cables and connectors are assembled through the hinge to support higher data rates, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical assembly of multiple high-speed cables, connectors, and rigid/flexible printed circuits with an integrated wireless communication system. The hinge contains wireless transceivers and antenna elements that provide high-data-rate transmission without requiring manual assembly of multiple precision components, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high-speed data transmission, eliminates the need for separate cable assemblies, removes connector requirements, and simplifies the overall hinge structure. This multi-functional approach reduces both device complexity and assembly steps while maintaining high data rate capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the hinge bend radius is reduced to achieve thinner form factors, then device portability is improved, but mechanical stress on wired interconnects increases leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical interconnects entirely by implementing wireless communication through the hinge. This allows the hinge to be designed with minimal bend radius for thin form factors without compromising reliability, as there are no cables or connectors subjected to bending stress. The wireless signals pass through the hinge structure without physical contact, maintaining both thinness and reliability.
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 provides reliable, high-data-rate communication with reduced mechanical stress, assembly complexity, and cost, while minimizing power consumption and equalization needs, and eliminates the need for regulatory approvals, ensuring secure and interference-free data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a first circular waveguide coupled to a display portion of an electronic device; and a second circular waveguide coupled to a chassis portion of the electronic device, wherein the first circular waveguide and the second circular waveguide are coupled to one another via a coupling section that is routed through a hinge of the electronic device, and wherein the first circular waveguide, the second circular waveguide, and the coupling section are configured to enable a propagation of data signals between the chassis portion and the display portion of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable circular waveguide structure is described that may comprise circular waveguide sections configured to propagate electromagnetic radiation. The circular waveguide sections may enable data signals to be transmitted between portions of an electronic device, such as a chassis and display portion, which may be rotatable with respect to one another. The rotatable circular waveguide structure may comprise one or more circular waveguide sections that are routed through a hinge of the electronic device, as well as one or more rotatable junctions. The rotatable junctions enable a rotation of circular waveguide sections with respect to one another as the coupled portions of the electronic device are also rotated. The rotatable circular waveguide structure may replace the use of data cables that are conventionally used to carry data signals between portions of an electronic device.