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Samsung patents foldable phone design with signal converters in the hinge

Samsung has filed a patent for a foldable device that uses two special circuits to manage electrical signals. One circuit reduces the number of data lines before they cross the hinge, and another expands them back to the original number on the other side. This setup allows a flexible circuit board to pass signals through the hinge area more efficiently.

Why it mattersThis design could help engineers fit more components into the tight space of a foldable hinge without losing signal quality.

In the filing’s own words

A foldable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device includes a first housing part, a second housing part, a hinge housing part that is disposed at least partially between the first housing part and the second housing part, a hinge assembly, a flexible display, a processor, a first aggregator circuit that converts a first control signal input from the processor through a first number of ports into a second control signal that is output through a second number of ports smaller than the first number of ports, a second aggregator circuit that receives the second control signal through the second number of ports and that converts the second control signal into a third control signal that is output through a third number of ports greater than the second number of ports, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that is connected to the first aggregator circuit and the second aggregator circuit.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A foldable electronic device comprising: a housing including a first housing part, a second housing part, and a hinge housing part disposed at least partially between the first housing part and the second housing part; a hinge assembly accommodated at least partially in the hinge housing part and rotatably connecting the first housing part and the second housing part; a flexible display accommodated in the first housing part and the second housing part and configured to be folded or unfolded in response to folding or unfolding of the housing; a processor accommodated in the first housing part; a first aggregator circuit accommodated in the first housing part and configured to convert a first control signal input from the processor through a first number of ports into a second control signal output through a second number of ports smaller than the first number of ports; a second aggregator circuit accommodated in the second housing part and configured to receive the second control signal through the second number of ports and convert the second control signal into a third control signal output through a third number of ports greater than the second number of ports; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the first aggregator circuit and the second aggregator circuit, wherein a portion of the FPCB is coupled at least partially to the hinge assembly or accommodated at least partially in the hinge housing part and configured to transmit the second control signal.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
Publication number
US20260261611A1
Application number
19394232
Filed
Nov 19, 2025
Published
Sep 3, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

H04M 1/0277 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/0216 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/0268 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/0274 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.