Amorphous Alloy Support Assembly for Handheld Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complex and costly assembly process of handheld electronic devices due to the need for high-strength materials like stainless steel or aluminum alloy, which require screw locking or welding for connection.

Innovation Solution

A support assembly fabricated through integral molding of amorphous alloy, where the internal structure support part is formed by extending the appearance part inward, allowing for a one-time near net shape forming with an average thickness less than 2 mm, eliminating the need for screw locking or welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high-strength materials like stainless steel or aluminum alloy are used for appearance parts and internal structure support assemblies, then the strength and hardness are improved, but the assembly process becomes complicated requiring screw locking or welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength and hardnessVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the appearance part and internal structure support assembly into a single integrated component made from amorphous alloy. This merging eliminates the need for separate connection operations (screws or welding) while maintaining the high strength properties of the material, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional crystalline metals (stainless steel, aluminum alloy) to amorphous alloy. This parameter change enables the material to be formed into complex shapes with high strength in a single molding process, eliminating the need for post-assembly operations and simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high-strength materials like stainless steel or aluminum alloy are used, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the appearance part and internal structure support assembly into one integrated amorphous alloy component, the patent eliminates multiple manufacturing steps (separate production, screw locking, or welding operations). This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the high strength properties required for the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If integral molding of amorphous alloy is used, then the assembly process is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases for thin-walled structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidmolding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the unique properties of amorphous alloy material and optimizes molding parameters (temperature, pressure, cooling rate) to achieve precise formation of thin-walled structures. The material's amorphous structure allows for better flow and filling characteristics during molding, enabling high precision formation of complex thin-walled geometries while maintaining assembly simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2814226B1Handheld electronic device, support component, and method for manufacturing support component
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2814226B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2814226B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2814226B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a support assembly mounted between a rear cover and a screen of a handheld electronic device to support and fasten a component of the handheld electronic device. The support assembly includes an appearance part and an internal structure support part, where the appearance part and the internal structure support part are fabricated through integral molding of an amorphous alloy; the internal structure support part is formed by extending the top or the middle of the appearance part inwards; and an average thickness of the internal structure support part is less than 2 mm. The present invention simplifies a process of assembling the handheld electronic device. The present invention further provides a support assembly fabricating method and a handheld electronic device.