Docking Station Support Structure for Accurate Notebook Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deformation of the support plate in docking stations due to the weight of notebook computers leads to inaccurate docking and unsuccessful connections with electrical connectors, posing a challenge in maintaining stable and reliable connections.
Innovation Solution
The docking station incorporates protrusion structures with wide and narrow portions on its upper surface, enhancing structural strength to prevent deformation and ensure accurate docking, along with a floating seat and buffering components to absorb impacts and tolerate assembly variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple support plate structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the support plate deforms under weight causing docking failure
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate incorporates protrusion structures with varying cross-sectional areas (wide portion and narrow portion) at specific locations to concentrate structural strength where needed. This local reinforcement approach maintains overall structural simplicity while preventing deformation at critical docking areas, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable docking accuracy.
2Reliability
If the support plate is made stronger to prevent deformation, then the docking accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: a wide portion for load bearing, a narrow portion for flexibility, and protrusion structures for localized reinforcement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding complex reinforcement mechanisms.
3Strength
If a rigid support structure is used, then the structural strength is improved, but the impact from docking errors cannot be absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow portion of the support plate acts as a pre-designed flexible zone that can elastically deform to absorb impact forces from docking errors or accidental drops. This beforehand cushioning approach allows the structure to remain rigid where needed while providing built-in impact absorption capacity without requiring additional cushioning components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A docking station (10) is configured for an electronic device (20) to be docked thereto. The docking station includes a casing (100), a circuit board (200) and at least one electrical connector (300). The casing has an accommodation space (130), an upper surface (1211) and at least one protrusion structure (1213). The upper surface faces away from the accommodation space, the protrusion structure protrudes from the upper surface, the protrusion structure has a wide portion (1213a) and a narrow portion (1213c) connected to each other, and a width (W1) of the wide portion is greater than a width (W2) 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.