Flexible Power Connector for Tablet Stand Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in aligning and removing tablet information handling systems from stands, particularly with lightweight and thin devices, which can lead to damage due to rotational forces required for detachment.

Innovation Solution

A system with power contacts on the tablet's housing that align with a free-floating power connector on the stand, allowing for power transfer without physical constraining structures, enabling rotation and easy removal without damaging the tablet or stand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connector is used to interface the tablet with the stand, then power transfer and physical support are achieved, but alignment difficulty and removal damage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidalignment and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the physical constraining function from the power connector, separating power transfer from mechanical attachment. The power connector is removed from the stand entirely, and power contacts are instead integrated into the tablet housing, allowing power transfer without physical constraint and eliminating alignment and removal difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnets as an intermediary mechanism between the tablet and stand. The magnets provide gentle holding force to maintain contact between power contacts and power transfer surface, enabling reliable power transfer without requiring precise mechanical alignment or constraining structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a physical constraining structure is used to secure the tablet, then the tablet is prevented from falling, but rotational forces during removal can cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetablet stability on standVSAvoidrotational damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes physical constraining structures entirely from the system. Instead of using clips, latches, or locking mechanisms, the design relies on magnets to provide gentle holding force that prevents the tablet from falling while allowing damage-free removal without rotational forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical constraining system with a magnetic field-based system. The magnets provide stable holding force to prevent the tablet from falling off the stand, but unlike mechanical constraints, they allow gentle, damage-free removal without requiring rotational or prying forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Weight of moving object

If the tablet is made lightweight and thin for portability, then convenience and portability improve, but connector alignment and secure attachment become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetablet weightVSAvoidconnector alignment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the connector component entirely, removing the source of alignment difficulty. Power contacts are integrated into the tablet housing and mate with a power transfer surface on the stand, eliminating the need for precise connector alignment while maintaining portability through lightweight and thin design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses magnets as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the lightweight tablet and the stand. The magnetic field provides alignment assistance and holding force, enabling secure attachment of thin, lightweight tablets without requiring precise manual alignment of connectors or complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates easy alignment and secure power communication to the tablet, allowing for flexible positioning and removal without risk of damage, using magnets for alignment and weight-based power transfer.

Implementation Method 1

using magnets for alignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

power contacts on the tablet's housing that align with a free-floating power connector on the stand, allowing for power transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9348376B2Tablet information handling system display stand with flexible power connection

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A tablet information handling system has power contacts disposed on an outer surface of a planar housing to accept power from a power connector without affixing the power connector to the power contacts at the planar housing. For example, the power connector is disposed at a support surface of a stand in a position that aligns with power contacts of the planar housing when the planar housing rests on the support surface. The power connector provides power without a port or similar structure so that the planar housing may be place on and taken off the support surface at a variety of orientations rotated about the axis at which the power connector and power contacts meet.