Docking Station Support Structure for Accurate Notebook Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Notebook computers often experience unsuccessful connections with docking stations due to deformation of the support plate under the weight of the device, making accurate docking difficult.
Innovation Solution
The docking station features protrusion structures with varying widths and angled sides to enhance structural strength, combined with movable components and positioning features to ensure precise alignment and stability during docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the support plate is made thinner to reduce material usage and cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the support plate deforms under the weight of the notebook computer over time
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is divided into multiple sections with protrusion structures created by dividing the plate into regions separated by grooves. This segmentation allows the plate to maintain strength while using less material, as the protrusion structures provide structural support where needed without requiring a fully solid plate throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate features localized protrusion structures with varying heights and widths at specific positions rather than uniform thickness throughout. This local quality approach concentrates material where structural support is most needed (under connector areas) while reducing material in less critical areas, resolving the contradiction between material usage and strength.
2Strength
If the support plate is made thicker to increase structural strength, then deformation is prevented, but material usage and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into multiple regions with protrusion structures that provide localized strength enhancement. This segmentation allows the plate to achieve necessary structural strength through distributed support features rather than requiring uniform thickness increase throughout the entire plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate employs a composite structure combining flat regions with raised protrusion structures, creating a multi-level surface that provides enhanced strength at critical areas without the material usage penalty of a uniformly thick plate. The varying heights and widths of protrusions create a composite geometry that optimizes strength-to-material ratio.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the casing is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then docking accuracy is maintained, but the casing becomes heavier and more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The casing incorporates protrusion structures that segment the support surface into distinct regions. This segmentation provides structural reinforcement at key locations without requiring the entire casing to be manufactured as a single rigid piece, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing features localized protrusion structures with specific height and width variations at strategic positions to provide rigidity where needed for docking accuracy, while other areas of the casing can be lighter and easier to manufacture. This local quality approach maintains stability without uniformly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station is configured for an electronic device to be docked thereto. The docking station includes a casing, a circuit board and at least one electrical connector. The casing has an accommodation space, an upper surface and at least one protrusion structure. The upper surface faces away from the accommodation space, the protrusion structure protrudes from the upper surface, the protrusion structure has a wide portion and a narrow portion connected to each other, and a width of the wide portion is greater than a width of the narrow portion. The circuit board is located in the accommodation space. The electrical connector protrudes from the upper surface of the casing and electrically connected to the circuit board.