Laptop Support Structure With Variable Rigidity Against External Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in suppressing the influence of external forces on the units accommodated in the housing, leading to potential damage and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a support unit with elastically deformable support members that absorb external forces by allowing the intermediate portions to deform more easily than the end portions, reducing stress concentration and preventing damage to internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid support unit is attached to the housing unit, then the housing unit gains structural support, but external forces are transmitted directly to the accommodated units causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidexternal force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member's rigidity parameter is changed by making it elastically deformable rather than rigid. The support member is configured with different rigidity at different portions: the intermediate portion has lower rigidity to absorb external forces through elastic deformation, while the end portions have higher rigidity to maintain attachment strength. This parameter variation allows the support unit to provide structural support while preventing harmful force transmission to internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support member is made uniformly rigid, then structural stability is improved, but stress concentration occurs at connection points when external forces are applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstress concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed with non-uniform local quality, where different portions have different rigidity characteristics. The intermediate portion is made more flexible with lower rigidity to absorb stress and prevent concentration, while the end portions near the attachment points are made more rigid to ensure stable connection to the housing unit. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between overall structural stability and local stress management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 absorbs external forces, preventing damage to internal components and maintaining device stability while reducing air entrainment between intake and exhaust ports.

Implementation Method 1

a rigidity of the intermediate portion located between one end and the other end is lower than a rigidity of both end portions in the support unit 190

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3995930B1Electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 DYNABOOK INC
  • EP3995930B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3995930B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3995930B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is an electronic apparatus that can suppress the influence of a force applied from the outside on a unit contained inside a housing. A laptop 100 according to an embodiment has a base housing unit 150 (housing unit) provided with a rectangular lower surface 150a (surface), and a support unit 190 attached to the lower surface 150a to support the base housing unit 150. The support unit 190 is provided continuously from one end 150m side to the other end 150n side of the lower surface 150a, and the stiffness of an intermediate portion located between the one end 150m side and the other end 150n side is configured to be less than the stiffness of portions at both ends of the one end 150m side and the other end 150n side.