Electronic Device Housing Deformation Channels for Impact Absorption

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic communication devices in incarceration facilities are prone to damage from physical forces beyond their operational limits, such as being used as projectiles or subjected to impact, which can cause temporary or permanent damage.

Innovation Solution

The development of electronic device housings featuring a rigid exterior member coupled with a semi-rigid interior member, including deformation channels with shock-absorbing spacers, which absorb forces and prevent damage while allowing access for use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid housing structure is used to protect electronic devices, then device protection is improved, but the housing cannot absorb impact forces and is prone to damage from physical forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct members: a rigid exterior member for structural integrity and a semi-rigid interior member for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the rigid exterior resists penetration while the semi-rigid interior absorbs impact forces through deformation channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing combines two materials with different mechanical properties - a rigid material for the exterior member and a semi-rigid material for the interior member. This composite structure leverages the strength of rigid materials for protection while utilizing the energy-absorbing characteristics of semi-rigid materials to mitigate impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the housing is made fully rigid to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the housing cannot absorb shock and is more susceptible to damage from impact

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct members: a rigid exterior member for structural integrity and a semi-rigid interior member for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the rigid exterior resists penetration while the semi-rigid interior absorbs impact forces through deformation channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing combines two materials with different mechanical properties - a rigid material for the exterior member and a semi-rigid material for the interior member. This composite structure leverages the strength of rigid materials for protection while utilizing the energy-absorbing characteristics of semi-rigid materials to mitigate impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If deformation channels are added to absorb shock, then impact resistance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct members: a rigid exterior member for structural integrity and a semi-rigid interior member for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the rigid exterior resists penetration while the semi-rigid interior absorbs impact forces through deformation channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing combines two materials with different mechanical properties - a rigid material for the exterior member and a semi-rigid material for the interior member. This composite structure leverages the strength of rigid materials for protection while utilizing the energy-absorbing characteristics of semi-rigid materials to mitigate impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 housings effectively mitigate damage to electronic devices by absorbing shock and preventing unauthorized access or tampering, ensuring continued functionality for communication purposes.

Implementation Method 1

a semi-rigid interior member (SRIM) disposed within an internal volume of the REM, the SRIM including a cavity to house an electronic device, where the SRIM includes shock adsorbing spacers projecting from a main body of the SRIM to form a deformation channel between the REM and the main body of the SRIM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10082835B2Electronic device housings including deformation channels

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 HANK TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

Electronic device housings including deformation channels can, for example, include a rigid exterior member (REM) and a semi-rigid interior member (SRIM) disposed within an internal volume of the REM and including a cavity to house an electronic device, where the SRIM includes shock adsorbing spacers projecting from a main body of the SRIM to form a deformation channel between the REM and the main body of the SRIM.