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SamsungGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 3/10

Samsung patents guide member for wiring in foldable devices

This patent describes a specific internal structure for foldable electronic devices, such as phones or tablets. It details how a flexible circuit board passes through a hole in the device's frame using a guide member with stopper ribs to keep the wiring in place. The design also includes a waterproof member to protect the connection between the two halves of the device.

Why it mattersThis is a routine hardware improvement that helps manage internal wiring and water resistance in foldable screens, which is standard practice for manufacturers building durable devices.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device includes first and second housings, first and second display areas disposed on the first and second housings, respectively, and a folding area disposed between the first and second display areas and at least one flexible printed circuit board including at least one fixed plate disposed on one surface thereof. The at least one flexible printed circuit board extends from the first housing to the second housing. At least one of the first and second housings includes a support plate supporting at least a portion of either of the first and second display areas, and in which at least one through hole is formed. A guide member is disposed in the through hole with a wiring hole. At least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board may pass through the wiring hole. The fixed plate may be disposed on an inner wall of the wiring hole.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing including a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected or coupled to each other by a hinge module; a display including a first display area disposed on the first housing, a second display area disposed on the second housing, and a folding area disposed between the first display area and the second display area; the hinge module disposed inside the housing; and at least one flexible printed circuit board including at least one fixing plate disposed on one surface thereof, and extending from the first housing to the second housing across the hinge module, wherein at least one of the first housing or the second housing includes: a support plate supporting at least a portion of one of the first display area and the second display area, and forming at least one through hole penetrating respective surfaces thereof; and a guide member disposed in the through hole and forming a wiring hole, the guide member comprising stopper ribs in the wiring hole, and wherein at least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board is disposed to pass through the wiring hole, and the fixing plate is disposed on an inner wall of the wiring hole, characterized by further comprising: a waterproof member disposed at least partially in the wiring hole between the flexible printed circuit board and the hinge module, wherein only one side of the at least one flexible printed circuit board contacts a portion of a surface of the waterproof member inside of the wiring hole and an opposite side of the at least one flexible printed circuit board contacts the fixing plate and the stopper ribs of the guide member.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
Electronic device comprising guide member for wiring
Patent number
US12750962B2
Application number
18805792
Filed
Aug 15, 2024
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
20

Classified under

H05K 5/0247 Electricity & electronicsH05K 5/0226 Electricity & electronicsH05K 5/06 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.