Elastomer-Coated Portable Computer for Solvent Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computers face challenges in adverse environments such as healthcare and manufacturing due to contamination susceptibility, heat dissipation issues, and the trade-off between compactness and robustness, making them difficult to clean and maintain while maintaining performance.
Innovation Solution
A tablet-style portable computer with a semi-sealed design featuring a magnesium alloy frame, elastomer-coated plastic covers for impact resistance and easy cleaning, integrated data capture technologies, and a partially sealed active cooling system to manage heat and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable computers are made compact and lightweight by reducing material for strengthening and cushioning, then portability is improved, but robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a rigid plastic housing with an elastomeric coating layer. The plastic provides structural strength while the elastomeric material provides impact resistance and cushioning. This composite structure allows the device to be compact and lightweight yet maintain robustness through the synergistic properties of the two materials.
2Temperature
If active cooling systems with fans are added to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but susceptibility to contamination by dust, dirt, and germs worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the sealed housing by incorporating an active cooling system with a fan and external air intake/exhaust openings. This allows heat dissipation to occur outside the sealed environment, preventing contamination of internal components while maintaining the sealed, cleanable exterior of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into sealed and unsealed portions. The housing remains sealed and cleanable, while the cooling system has dedicated openings for air flow. This segmentation allows the cooling function to operate independently without compromising the contamination resistance of the main housing.
3Ease of operation
If the exterior of the device is made smooth and sealed for easy cleaning, then ease of disinfection is improved, but heat dissipation capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the sealed exterior surface. The smooth, sealed housing maintains ease of disinfection, while a separate active cooling system with dedicated air openings handles heat dissipation. This separation allows both requirements to be satisfied independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable computer that is ergonomic and solvent resistant is disclosed. The computer may have an exterior surface that is made from a soft polymer, so that it will shield a user from exposure to heat while providing a positive tactile feel and shielding the computer from impact. The computer may comprise a number of input output devices with distinct controls arranged about the body of the computer so that a user may comfortably operate each the devices with one hand. The housing of the computer may be sealed, so that it will be resistant to liquid and particulate infiltration, and may be easily wiped clean and disinfected.