Curved Plate Frame Structure Impact Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face challenges in achieving slimness and durability due to the minimum injection thickness requirement of metal frames, which hinders their portability and resistance to external impacts.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure featuring a main frame with an opening portion, a recess portion, and a thin plate with curved sections that absorb external impacts, supported by ribs or adhesive materials, allowing for reduced thickness while maintaining structural integrity and preventing plastic deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal frame is used to replace a plastic frame, then durability and strength are improved, but the minimum injection thickness requirement prevents the device from being thinner

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is divided into a main frame and a separate plate structure that is installed on the main frame. The plate has frames that are seated on recess portions of the main frame, creating a segmented assembly that achieves the required strength without requiring the entire frame to meet minimum injection thickness requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate structure is installed on the surface of the main frame, utilizing the surface dimension rather than increasing the thickness dimension. The recess portions are formed along the frame of the opening portion lower than the surface of the main frame, allowing the plate to be mounted in a way that adds structural strength without increasing the overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the frame thickness is reduced to achieve slimness, then portability is improved, but resistance to external impacts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidresistance to external impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

At least one of the frames of the plate is formed of a curved portion that is curved inwardly. This curved structure is designed to absorb external impacts by deforming in a controlled manner, preventing plastic deformation of the overall frame while maintaining a thin profile. The curvature allows the frame to flex and absorb impact energy without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Length of moving object

If a thin plate structure is used, then device slimness is improved, but structural integrity and resistance to deformation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The plate structure is combined with the main frame through the recess portions and seating arrangement. The frames of the plate are seated on the recess portions of the main frame, creating a merged structural system where the thin plate gains support from the main frame and the overall structure achieves both slimness and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved portions are strategically positioned in the plate frames to provide localized impact absorption where needed. The recess portions in the main frame are formed at specific locations to provide optimal seating support for the plate frames. This local quality approach ensures structural integrity is maintained at critical points while keeping the overall device thin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively absorbs external impacts, preventing plastic deformation and enhancing device reliability by dispersing forces across the frame structure, thus improving the durability and slimness of electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the frames of the plate is formed of a curved portion that is curved inwardly... effectively absorbs external impacts, preventing plastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2755367B1Frame structure for preventing deformation, and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2755367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2755367B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2755367B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main frame, an opening portion formed in the main frame, a recess portion formed along a frame of the opening portion lower than a surface of the main frame, and a plate having frames seated on the recess portion, wherein at least one of the frames of the plate is formed of a curved portion that is curved inwardly. Accordingly, it is possible to absorb an external impact and prevent deformation just by a simple structure change of the plate.