Hinge Connection Strength in CFRP Laptop Chassis

Solution Overview

Problem

Laptop PCs with fiber-reinforced plastic chassis face challenges in forming a boss for hinge connection, leading to insufficient strength for expanded usage scenarios when using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Innovation Solution

A laminated structure with multiple fiber-reinforced plastic layers, including a recess for a metal connector with orthogonal fiber arrangement, enhances the connection strength by using a light metal connector and adhesive for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If fiber-reinforced plastic is used to make the chassis thinner and lighter, then portability is improved, but the connection strength for hinge attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis weightVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite material for the chassis to achieve both light weight and high strength. The FRP combines resin matrix with reinforcing fibers to create a material that is both lightweight and mechanically strong, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating a recess portion in the chassis at the hinge attachment location. This recess concentrates the attachment area and allows for optimized fiber orientation specifically at the connection point, providing localized strength enhancement where needed without compromising overall chassis weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a boss is integrally formed during injection molding for resin chassis, then hinge attachment is simplified, but this method cannot be applied to fiber-reinforced plastic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge attachment processVSAvoidmaterial compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hinge attachment structure into a separate connector component that interfaces with the FRP chassis through the recess. This segmentation allows the chassis to be molded without complex integral bosses, while the separate connector provides the necessary attachment functionality, making the process compatible with FRP materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component between the hinge and the FRP chassis. This connector mediates the attachment process, allowing the hinge to be securely fastened to the FRP chassis through the recess without requiring integral boss formation, thus bridging the gap between FRP material properties and hinge attachment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If the chassis is made thinner for portability, then device thickness is reduced, but connection strength for expanded usage scenarios becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis thicknessVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating a recess portion in the chassis at the hinge attachment location. This recess concentrates the attachment area and allows for optimized fiber orientation specifically at the connection point, providing localized strength enhancement where needed without compromising overall chassis weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite material for the chassis to achieve both light weight and high strength. The FRP combines resin matrix with reinforcing fibers to create a material that is both lightweight and mechanically strong, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution significantly improves the connection strength, enabling 100,000 hinge rotations, withstanding 4 times the drop test, and resisting 2.5 times the forced-opening force compared to conventional structures.

Implementation Method 1

one of the fiber-reinforced plastic layers making up a bottom of the recess and is directly attached to the connector is a layer, in which fibers are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis of the hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical bonding through fiber arrangement:

Implementation Method 2

The connector is attached and fixed to a recess in the laminated part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9910456B2Information processing device

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

An information processing device is disclosed. The information processing device includes a first chassis and a second chassis that are connected rotatably via a hinge, and includes a connector to connect the first chassis to the hinge. The first chassis includes a laminated part having a lamination of a set of fiber-reinforced plastic layers in each of which resin is reinforced by fibers arranged in a predetermined direction. The connector is attached and fixed to a recess in the laminated part, with the recess having a shape corresponding an outer shape of the connector. Directly attached to the connector, one of the fiber-reinforced plastic layers making up a bottom of the recess and is a layer in which fibers are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis of the hinge.