Elastomeric Guide Pin Dock for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional docks experience wear and misalignment due to shaking, vibration, and shock, particularly when attached to vehicles, leading to a looser fit and poor contact alignment between guide pins and electronic devices, and often result in damage to guide pins and guide holes.

Innovation Solution

The dock employs elastomeric guide pins and support structures with a durometer range of 40 to 90 Shore A, which are independent of the printed circuit board, reducing wear and absorbing shock, and are made of polyurethane to maintain alignment and facilitate easy replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rigid guide pins are used in docks, then structural strength is maintained, but wear and misalignment occur due to shaking, vibration, and shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidwear from vibration and shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin material is changed from rigid to elastomeric, fundamentally altering the physical properties to enable shock absorption and vibration damping while maintaining alignment functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pin is constructed as a composite structure with an elastomeric outer layer for shock absorption and a harder inner core for structural support, combining the benefits of both material types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If guide pins are attached to the printed circuit board, then structural support is provided, but replacement becomes difficult when wear or damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidguide pin replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin is separated from the printed circuit board assembly, allowing it to be independently replaced without affecting the PCB or other dock components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pin is extracted from the integrated PCB structure and made into a separate, removable component that can be easily replaced when worn or damaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional docks are used in vehicles, then power and data transfer are enabled, but shaking and vibration cause misalignment and contact loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidcontact alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric guide pins are designed to absorb and dampen vibrations and shocks before they can cause misalignment or contact loss, providing proactive protection against environmental disturbances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 elastomeric guide pins and support structures effectively reduce wear and misalignment, maintaining contact alignment and ease of replacement, while absorbing shock and vibration, thus enhancing the durability and functionality of the dock.

Implementation Method 1

each of the at least one guide pin is elastomeric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

absorbing shock and vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11652326B2Dock with flexible locator pins and methods of making and using

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 NP LIQUIDATING CO INC

AI summary

A dock for an electronic device includes a base configured to fit over at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device; a tray extending from the base for receiving one side of the electronic device and extending over a portion of the front surface of the electronic device; a contact box attached to at least one of the base or the tray; contacts extending from the contact box through one or more openings in the tray; and at least one guide pin extending from the contact box through one or more openings in the tray, where each of the at least one guide pin is elastomeric.