Middle Frame Assembly Interference Fit Stamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing middle frame assembly manufacturing methods face challenges in reducing space requirements and improving structural integrity while maintaining cost-effectiveness and productivity, particularly in the integration of segmented frames and bearing plates for electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

The proposed middle frame assembly features a frame body with through holes and a bearing plate with extending portions that provide an interference fit, allowing for a compact design and enhanced structural integrity, along with a manufacturing method involving machining and stamping operations to achieve precise connections and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If riveting process is used to fix segmented frames and bearing plate, then structural integrity is improved, but space requirement increases due to through holes for rivets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the rivet fastening components entirely and replaces them with an integrated stamping connection. The segmented frames and bearing plate are directly connected through stamping-formed interference fits and abutting surfaces, extracting the unnecessary rivet elements and their required through holes to reduce overall space requirements while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the segmented frames and bearing plate into a more integrated assembly through stamping connections. The first and second extending portions are stamped to form interference fits with the bearing plate, and the abutting surfaces create direct load paths, combining multiple fastening functions into a unified stamping-based connection system that eliminates separate rivet components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional manufacturing method with rivets is used, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision and structural integrity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the extending portions and abutting surfaces through stamping operations before final assembly. The interference fit geometries and connection surfaces are created in advance during the stamping process, ensuring precise alignment and fit when the segmented frames are assembled to the bearing plate, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If more space is allocated for rivet containment, then structural connection is improved, but device compactness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rivet fastening system with a stamping-based interference fit system. The extending portions are stamped to create interference fits with the bearing plate, and abutting surfaces provide direct load paths, substituting the traditional rivet mechanical connection with a more compact stamping-formed connection that maintains strength while improving device compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3522506B1Middle frame assembly, electronic apparatus and method for manufacturing middle frame assembly
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3522506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3522506B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3522506B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A middle frame assembly (30) may include a middle frame (20) and a bearing plate (40), the middle frame (20) may include a frame body (22) having a first face (222) and a second face (224) opposite to the first face (222), the frame body (22) defines a first through hole (22a) penetrating the first face (222) and the second face (224), the bearing plate (40) may include a bearing body (42) having a third face (422) and a fourth face (424) opposite to the third face (422), and a first extending portion (44, 44a) protruding from the third face (422) and configured to pass through the first through hole (22a) and fitting with the frame body (22), such that the bearing body (42) may be connected to the frame body (22) and that the first face (222) and the third face (422) may abut against each other.