Modular Housing Cover Removal for Portable System Recycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The recycling and reuse of components in portable information handling systems are challenging due to their compact and lightweight designs, which make disassembly difficult and inefficient, leading to environmental impact and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A modular component architecture that allows for automated assembly and disassembly, tracking of component useful life, and targeted refurbishment and recycling, ensuring components are reused or recycled based on their performance and usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable information handling systems use compact and lightweight designs, then portability and mobility are improved, but disassembly difficulty increases and recycling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple separable components including a first housing portion, second housing portion, and removable cover. These segments are connected through standardized coupling mechanisms that enable automated disassembly while maintaining compact form factor during operation. The segmentation allows robotic systems to easily separate components without requiring manual tools.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized coupling mechanisms and interfaces act as intermediaries between housing components. These intermediaries provide defined separation points that facilitate automated disassembly while maintaining structural integrity during use. The coupling mechanisms include features like snap-fits, bayonet connectors, or tool-less fasteners that enable clean separation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional manual disassembly methods are used, then component separation is possible, but processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing components are designed with self-releasing coupling mechanisms that automatically disengage when subjected to specific forces or sequences. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual tool operation, allowing robotic systems to simply apply force at defined points to achieve separation. The mechanisms include force-directional release features that guide automated disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Coupling mechanisms are pre-configured with alignment features, guide pins, and predetermined separation paths that prepare the components for automated disassembly. The design includes pre-positioned release points and force application zones that enable robots to efficiently separate components without complex manipulation sequences.
3Strength
If housing components are tightly integrated, then structural strength and protection are improved, but automated manipulation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing design applies different structural qualities to different regions: high-strength integrated structures in areas requiring protection, and localized separation features in areas requiring disassembly. Reinforced ribs and bracing provide structural strength where needed, while defined coupling interfaces provide manipulation access points for automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanisms transition from a locked state during operation to an unlocked state during disassembly. The design includes dynamic features such as spring-loaded latches, force-directional releases, or sequential disengagement mechanisms that maintain strength during use but allow easy separation when activated by automated systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system modular hybrid architecture separates components between rotationally coupled housing portions to minimize cabling, connectors and materials, and to provide improved durability that supports recycling and reuse of the components. For example, a plurality of housing cover configurations couple to housing portions of different dimensions with opposing couples and a common keystone element that, when installed, prevents separation of the opposing couplers. Removal of the keystone element provides ready access to the housing portion interior to recycle processing components, such as a secondary board having an embedded controller and charger and a battery interfaced with the secondary board.