Force Dissipation Member for Mobile Device Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective housings for mobile devices are inadequate in dissipating forces effectively, particularly at corners, which are prone to greater damage due to concentrated impact during drops, leading to potential damage to internal components.

Innovation Solution

A protective housing design featuring a screw boss and a force dissipation member with central and outwardly extending arms that attach to the housing walls, redirecting external forces away from the corner impact area to the walls, thereby reducing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional protective housing is used, then device enclosure is provided, but force dissipation capability at corners is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce dissipation capabilityVSAvoidcorner damage from impact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing corner protection is segmented into multiple functional elements: a corner guard member that protrudes from the housing corner, a force dissipation member with arms that attach to the housing walls, and a screw boss for securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function in dissipating and redistributing impact forces away from the corner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force dissipation member acts as an intermediary between the external impact force and the housing structure. It receives impact forces at its arms and transfers them to the housing walls through attachment points, preventing direct transmission of concentrated forces to the corner and internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If corner protection structures are added, then force dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective capabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The corner guard member, force dissipation member, and screw boss are merged into an integrated assembly that functions as a single protective unit. The force dissipation member's arms are configured to attach simultaneously to multiple housing walls, and the screw boss provides unified securing, reducing the need for separate protection components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The force dissipation member serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural reinforcement element, a force distribution mechanism, and an attachment point for the corner guard member. The screw boss simultaneously secures the force dissipation member and provides anchoring for the corner protection structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11934231B2Protective housing for a mobile device

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

A housing of a device comprises a screw boss that extends outwardly from a first base plate proximate to a corner of the housing. Additionally, the housing of the device includes a force dissipation member. The force dissipation member includes a central portion that is sized to detachably attach around the screw boss. The force dissipation member further includes at least two arms that extend outwardly from the central portion, wherein each arm of the at least two arms is attached to a different side of the two walls of the housing.