Buffer member, buffer frame and electrical device

Solution Overview

Problem

Hard disk drives in laptops face challenges in balancing vibration reduction and secure fixation, as traditional buffer members with lower elasticity may not securely mount the drive, while those with higher elasticity can generate vibrations, affecting the drive's efficiency and lifespan. Additionally, the use of screws incurs extra labor and material costs.

Innovation Solution

A buffer member comprising a first buffer portion with lower hardness, a pin, a bending portion, and a second buffer portion, with a reinforcing member inside the pin, which provides both vibration reduction and secure fixation without the need for screws, by integrating the buffer and fixation effects into a single solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber with lower elasticity (flexible rubber) is chosen to be the frame of the hard disk drive, then vibration is reduced, but the hard disk drive is not securely mounted and is easily failed due to movement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevibrationVSAvoidsecure mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is divided into multiple portions with different hardness values: a first buffer portion with lower hardness for vibration reduction, and a second buffer portion with higher hardness for secure fixation. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the buffer member have different local qualities (hardness values). The first buffer portion has lower hardness to reduce vibration, while the second buffer portion has higher hardness to provide secure mounting. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between vibration reduction and secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If rubber with higher elasticity (rigid rubber) is chosen to be the frame of the hard disk drive, then secure mounting is achieved, but vibration is generated that negatively affects the hard disk drive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidvibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is divided into multiple portions with different hardness values: a first buffer portion with lower hardness for vibration reduction, and a second buffer portion with higher hardness for secure fixation. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the buffer member have different local qualities (hardness values). The first buffer portion has lower hardness to reduce vibration, while the second buffer portion has higher hardness to provide secure mounting. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between vibration reduction and secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If screws are used to mount the hard disk drive, then secure fixation is achieved, but extra labor cost and material cost are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefixationVSAvoidlabor cost and material cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is integrated with fixation portions that directly engage with the hard disk drive, combining the buffer and fixation functions into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate screws, reducing both labor cost and material cost while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member serves multiple functions: it provides vibration reduction through its buffer portions and simultaneously provides secure fixation through its integrated fixation portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware, reducing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The buffer member effectively reduces vibrations and securely fixes the hard disk drive, balancing both effects while eliminating the need for screws, thereby saving labor and material costs.

Implementation Method 1

The buffer member, such as rubber, is used as a frame for fixing the hard disk drive, which significantly enhances the protection of the hard disk drive against vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration reduction through elastic material: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The pin is located on the first buffer portion, and the pin passes through the perforation hole and inserts into the opening of the storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical insertion and fixation: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS9891673B2Buffer member, buffer frame and electrical device

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A buffer member includes a first buffer portion, a pin, a bending portion and a second buffer portion. The pin is located on the first buffer portion. The bending portion is connected with the first buffer portion. The second buffer portion is connected with the bending portion, and the first buffer portion is connected with the second buffer portion via the bending portion. A reinforcing member is located inside the pin for raising the rigidity of the pin. The pin is used for fixing a vibration source. The first buffer portion and the second buffer portion reduce the transmission of the vibration energy from the vibration source.