Shielding Fabric Layout for Thinner Foldable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices, particularly foldable phones, face challenges in achieving a thinning design due to components being stacked in the thickness direction, occupying a large thickness space and failing to meet lightening and thinning requirements.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a circuit board with a conductive fabric electromagnetic shielding assembly and a functional device arranged in a staggered configuration in the projection plane, reducing the overall thickness by staggering the conductive fabric and functional device in the projection plane, and optionally including protection layers for insulation and protection against water and dust.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If components are stacked in the thickness direction of the electronic device, then the device can accommodate multiple functional components, but the overall thickness of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of functional componentsVSAvoidoverall thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a traditional vertical stacking arrangement (thickness direction) to a planar side-by-side arrangement. The first and second functional devices are positioned adjacent to each other in the plane of the circuit board rather than stacked vertically, effectively utilizing the lateral dimensions (length and width) to accommodate multiple components without increasing overall thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the conductive fabric and functional device are arranged in a staggered configuration in the projection plane, then the overall thickness is reduced, but the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall thicknessVSAvoidelectromagnetic shielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive fabric is selectively positioned to provide electromagnetic shielding specifically for the first functional device, while the second functional device operates without this shielding layer. This localized shielding approach maintains electromagnetic compatibility where needed while optimizing the overall thickness reduction through the staggered arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively reduces the overall thickness of the device, meets the design requirements for lightening and thinning, enhances electromagnetic shielding, and improves operational reliability by preventing signal distortion and protecting against liquid damage.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnetic shielding assembly is superposed on a side of the circuit board that has the first board surface, and the electromagnetic shielding assembly includes a conductive fabric. The conductive fabric is in insulated connection to the wiring region.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP4676177A1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4676177A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4676177A1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2
  • EP4676177A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

This application relates to the field of terminal technologies, and discloses an electronic device. The electronic device includes a circuit board, an electromagnetic shielding assembly, and a functional device. The circuit board has a first board surface, and the first board surface includes a wiring region. The electromagnetic shielding assembly is superposed on a side of the circuit board that has the first board surface, and the electromagnetic shielding assembly includes a conductive fabric. The conductive fabric is in insulated connection to the wiring region. An orthographic projection region of the conductive fabric in a projection plane is a first projection region, and the projection plane is perpendicular to a direction in which the electromagnetic shielding assembly is superposed on the circuit board. The functional device is arranged on a side of the electromagnetic shielding assembly that faces away from the circuit board, and an orthographic projection region of the functional device in the projection plane is a second projection region. The first projection region does not coincide with the second projection region. In the electronic device according to this application, the conductive fabric and the functional device are staggered in the projection plane, so that a thickness space is effectively saved, and an overall thickness is reduced.