Collapsible Interface Components for Thin Electronic Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to reduce the size and height of electronic devices, such as laptops, for easier storage and transportation while maintaining their functional capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The design involves a rotatable display unit and a main body unit with sidewalls that can move relative to each other, featuring interface components like vents and connectors that collapse or pivot to reduce the overall height when transitioning from an active to a storage state, allowing the device to be thinner and more compact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interface components are included in the main body unit, then functional capabilities are maintained, but the height and size of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface component is designed with movable members that can transition between an operative position (protruding from the main body unit) and a collapsed position (retracted into the main body unit). This dynamic configuration allows the device to maintain full functionality when needed while reducing its height for portability when the interface component is not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface component is divided into multiple members that can move independently relative to the main body unit. These segmented members can be positioned to provide functionality or retracted to minimize device height, resolving the contradiction between maintaining capabilities and reducing size.
2Ease of operation
If the main body unit is made compact for portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but space for internal components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interface component utilizes movable members that can extend and retract. When retracted, these members allow the main body unit to achieve a compact form factor for easy carrying. When extended, they provide the necessary internal space and functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and internal space.
3Reliability
If interface component members are positioned for functionality, then operational capability is maintained, but device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface component is designed with members that can dynamically adjust their position. In the operative position, members are positioned to ensure reliable functionality. In the collapsed position, members are retracted to minimize device height. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining operational capability and reducing device height.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface component is segmented into multiple movable members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the device to achieve a compact height when members are retracted while maintaining full operational capability when members are positioned for functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided that includes a display unit, a memory storing program instructions, a processor to execute the program instructions in connection with operating the electronic device, and a main body unit housing the memory and processor. The display unit is rotatably mounted to the main body unit. The main body unit has a sidewall divided into first and second sidewall segments that are moved relative to one another corresponding to the main body unit being shifted between active and storage states. An interface component is mounted within the sidewall of the main body unit. The interface component includes members spaced apart from one another by gaps. The members are moved relative to one another between an operative position corresponding to the main body unit in the active state and a collapsed position corresponding to the main body unit in the storage state.