Metal-Plastic Locking Groove Structure for Scratch Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component integrating structures for small and thin electric devices face challenges in achieving sufficient scratch resistance and bonding strength due to the inferior surface hardness of injection molded plastic components compared to metal, complicating design configurations for smaller devices like mobile phones.
Innovation Solution
A components integrating structure featuring a metallic member with a locking groove and a plastic member integrally formed with it, where a portion of the plastic member is received in the groove to enhance bonding strength, using materials like aluminum alloy for the metallic member and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer for the plastic member, and employing methods like insert molding for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic components are used instead of metal, then production cost is reduced and fluidness is improved, but surface hardness and scratch resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic and metal in a single integrated component. The component includes both plastic portions and metal portions that are coupled together, allowing the plastic to provide cost-effectiveness and ease of molding while the metal portions provide enhanced surface hardness and scratch resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by leveraging the advantages of both materials simultaneously.
2Strength
If fastening and latching members are used to connect metal and plastic components, then bonding strength is improved, but design configuration complexity increases for small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function into the integral structure between metal and plastic portions. Instead of using separate fastening and latching members, the metal portions are directly coupled to the plastic portions in an integrated manner, eliminating the need for additional connecting components. This merging approach maintains bonding strength while significantly reducing design configuration complexity for small devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the separate fastening and latching members from the design, removing these additional components entirely. By integrating the connection function directly into the structure where metal portions are coupled to plastic portions, the design eliminates unnecessary elements, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining the required bonding strength for small electronic devices.
3Device complexity
If integral formation of metal and plastic portions is achieved, then assembly complexity is reduced, but bonding strength between materials must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges metal and plastic portions into an integral formation where they are coupled together as a unified structure. This merging approach simultaneously achieves reduced assembly complexity (as no separate assembly steps are needed) and ensures bonding strength (as the metal and plastic portions are structurally integrated). The coupling mechanism is built into the design itself, resolving the apparent contradiction between simplicity and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary components integrating structure (10) includes a metallic member (12) defining a locking groove (126) and a plastic member (14) integrally formed with the metallic member. A portion of the plastic member is received in the locking groove of the metallic member.