Modular Electromechanical Device Chassis with Self-Identifying Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional consumer electronics have a short life cycle due to being designed as closed systems, leading to wasteful replacement of hardware components that are still usable, as consumers seek the latest technology, resulting in expensive and inefficient electronics disposal.

Innovation Solution

A modular electromechanical device with a chassis that allows connection of various functional modules, enabling users to change the device's functionality based on the modules attached, with a processor module determining the device's function through attributes like module combination, sequence, attachment structures, and trace patterns, and downloading necessary software to operate the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If consumer electronics are designed as closed systems with fixed hardware components, then manufacturing and initial operation are simplified, but the device becomes outdated quickly and hardware components cannot be re-used, leading to short life cycle and waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidlife cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a base unit and separate functional modules that can be independently attached or detached. Each module contains specific hardware components (camera, display, battery, etc.) that can be individually replaced or upgraded without replacing the entire device, thereby extending the device's life cycle while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system where functional modules can be added, removed, or swapped based on user needs. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to new technologies and requirements over time, extending its useful life without requiring complete replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If consumers purchase new electronics for the latest technology, then they access cutting edge features, but they discard still-useable hardware components, resulting in expensive and wasteful replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to latest technologyVSAvoidwaste of usable hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into replaceable functional modules, users can selectively upgrade only the modules containing outdated components (e.g., camera module, display module) while retaining the base unit and other functional modules that remain useful, thereby reducing waste of usable hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables users to discard only the specific functional modules that have become outdated while recovering and continuing to use the base unit and other functional modules that are still operational, thus minimizing hardware waste and reducing the need for complete device replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Duration of action of moving object

If functional modules are made detachable and reconfigurable, then the device's life cycle is extended and waste is reduced, but the device complexity and number of attachment structures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelife cycleVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base unit is designed with universal attachment structures that can accommodate multiple types of functional modules through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same attachment mechanism to work with various modules (camera, display, battery, etc.), reducing the need for multiple specialized attachment structures and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functional modules can be attached to a single chassis, then device versatility and configurability increase, but the complexity of connecting and managing multiple modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configurabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of module connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional modules are equipped with self-identifying features (such as unique identifiers, contactless communication capabilities, or automatic detection mechanisms) that enable the base unit to automatically recognize and configure the attached modules without requiring complex manual setup or configuration by the user, thereby managing connection complexity through automated self-service

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10154601B2Modular electromechanical device

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 META PLATFORMS INC

AI summary

Various embodiments of a modular electromechanical device are described herein. The modular electromechanical device includes a chassis and a plurality of functional modules that can be connected to the chassis. Each module is associated with a different functionality. The functionality of the modular electromechanical device is defined based on various attributes including the functionality of the different functional modules that are connected to the electromechanical device, the sequence in which the different functional modules are connected to the electromechanical device, the specific attachment structures used to attach the functional modules to the electromechanical device, or a pattern of traces formed within the chassis.