Floating Docking Connector Structure for Impact-Resistant Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The plastic plates used for screwing screws in docking stations are prone to damage due to external forces when notebook computers are placed on them, leading to structural weakness.
Innovation Solution
A docking station design featuring a metal substrate with fasteners screwed into it, allowing electrical connectors to move relative to the casing, and incorporating a floating seat with a support plate and buffering components to absorb impacts, enhancing structural strength and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic plate is used for screws to be screwed thereto, then the docking station can be manufactured with ease and lower cost, but the plate may be easily damaged at positions where the screws are screwed due to downward force or external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal substrate (providing strength) with a plastic support plate (providing ease of manufacture and electrical insulation). The metal substrate is positioned at the damaged position to bear the load and prevent damage, while the plastic support plate maintains manufacturing simplicity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and strength.
2Reliability
If the electrical connectors are fixed rigidly to the casing, then the connection position is precise and stable, but the connectors cannot accommodate relative movement or misalignment between the notebook computer and docking station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support plate movable relative to the metal substrate through a buffering component. This allows the electrical connectors to accommodate relative movement and misalignment between the notebook computer and docking station while maintaining stable connection. The buffering component enables dynamic adjustment, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A docking station (10) includes a casing (100), a floating seat (400), a circuit board (200) and an electrical connector (300). The casing has an accommodation space (130), and a first through hole (1220a) and a second through hole (1220b) connected to the accommodation space. The floating seat includes a metal substrate (410), a support plate (420) and a fastener (430). The metal substrate is located in the accommodation space, the support plate is located outside the accommodation space, the fastener is disposed through the support plate and the first through hole and is screwed into the metal substrate, and a size of the first through hole is greater than a size of the fastener. The circuit board is fixed to the metal substrate. The electrical connector is disposed on the circuit board and disposed through the second through hole and the support plate. A size of the second through hole is greater than a size of the electrical connector.