Hard Disk Drive Case with Corner Slits for Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic apparatuses with hard disk drives face challenges in reducing impact shock while maintaining a thin case thickness, as existing solutions do not effectively absorb vibrations and impacts without compromising the structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a case with slit openings at the corners, made from flexible acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, which absorbs impact by elastic deformation, allowing for a thinner design while enhancing shock resistance by fitting the hard disk drive's corners within the slit openings, thereby reducing the overall thickness and improving impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the case thickness is reduced to achieve a thinner design, then the overall size and portability are improved, but the shock resistance and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The case utilizes flexible acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin material that can elastically deform to absorb impact shocks. This flexible material allows the case to maintain thin dimensions while providing adequate shock protection through material-level flexibility rather than relying on increased thickness
Solution Approach 2:
Slit openings are pre-formed at the corner portions of the case to create cushioning zones before impact occurs. These slits allow the case structure to deform and absorb impact energy in advance, protecting the hard disk drive corner from direct shock transmission even when the case is thin
2Strength
If conventional rigid case structures are used to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but impact shock absorption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The case material properties are changed by using flexible acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin instead of conventional rigid materials. This parameter change allows the material to exhibit both sufficient structural integrity for strength and elastic deformation capability for shock absorption, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and impact resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The slit openings at the case corners act as intermediary elements between the external impact force and the hard disk drive. These slits allow controlled deformation and energy dissipation, mediating the transmission of impact shocks while maintaining overall case structural integrity
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
This configuration effectively reduces impact shock and vibration transmission to the hard disk drive, allowing for a thinner case design while maintaining the structural integrity and shock resistance of the electronic apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
made from flexible acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, which absorbs impact by elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A slit opening 8 is formed on a lower principal surface 6a of a hard disk case 6, in the vicinity of the inner side of an angle part formed by a lower left lateral wall 6e and an opposing lower lateral wall 6c. A hard disk drive 7 is placed in the hard disk case 6. When the hard disk drive 7 is subjected to vibration caused by disturbance on the hard disk case 6, elastic deformation of an angle part 8a of the slit opening 8 occurs using an axis 8b as a center to reduce vibration of the hard disk drive 7. Thus, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the hard disk case 6. With such a configuration, a hard disk case that is for housing an electronic component and that can have a small thickness can be provided.