IHS Chassis Support Member for Tolerance-Induced Wobble
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support members for information handling system (IHS) chassis often fail to prevent rocking and wobbling due to manufacturing distortion tolerances, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in ensuring stable engagement with the support surface.
Innovation Solution
A support member comprising a coupling piece and a support piece, where the coupling arm of the coupling piece fits into the coupling arm aperture of the support piece, and a support surface engagement member with a stop member that engages the support surface, fabricated from resilient and hard materials respectively, to ensure stable and cost-effective assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If relatively hard, solid support members are used, then the support member provides stable support, but manufacturing distortion tolerances cause rocking and wobbling
Solution Approach 1:
The support member transitions from a rigid state during assembly to a compliant state during operation. The resilient material allows the support surface engagement member to deform and adapt to manufacturing tolerances, ensuring stable engagement while maintaining sufficient rigidity for support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member combines two distinct materials: a hard coupling piece for secure attachment to the chassis and a soft resilient material for the support surface engagement member. This composite structure allows each material to perform its optimal function - the hard material provides structural integrity while the soft material provides tolerance compensation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If relatively soft solid support members are used, then manufacturing tolerances are accommodated, but rocking and wobbling occur due to incomplete engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient material's elasticity allows the support surface engagement member to deform under load, ensuring that all support members can engage the support surface simultaneously even when manufacturing tolerances cause slight misalignments in the chassis.
3Reliability
If careful control of distortion tolerances is implemented, then rocking and wobbling are prevented, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameter from rigid to resilient, the system naturally accommodates manufacturing tolerances without requiring tight control, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable rocking prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a composite structure with a resilient support surface engagement member allows for more relaxed manufacturing tolerances on the chassis while still achieving stable, non-rocking support, simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 solution effectively prevents rocking and wobbling of the IHS chassis by ensuring all support surface engagement members engage the surface simultaneously, reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining stability under varying forces and distortions.
Implementation Method 1
a support piece made of a soft, resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
A support member includes a coupling piece that defines a support piece aperture extending through the coupling piece and that includes a coupling arm that extends from a location on the coupling piece that is spaced apart from the support piece aperture. The support member also includes a support piece that defines a coupling arm aperture, wherein the coupling arm is located in the coupling arm aperture. A support surface engagement member extends from the support piece and through the support piece aperture, wherein the support surface engagement member comprises an engagement surface and a stop member that extends from a surface on the support surface engagement member that is opposite from the engagement surface.