Modular Main Board Reuse for Automated Laptop Refurbishment

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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, and varying usage models that affect component lifespan and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A modular component architecture that allows for automated assembly and disassembly, tracking of component useful life, and targeted refurbishment and recycling based on performance metrics and usage patterns, enabling efficient distribution and reuse of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If compact design is used for portable information handling systems, then portability and space efficiency are improved, but disassembly difficulty and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoiddisassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into modular components (main board, display assembly, keyboard assembly, battery, housing sections) that can be independently removed and reassembled. This segmentation allows automated disassembly processes to efficiently separate components without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing disassembly time while maintaining compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic coupling mechanisms such as snap-fit connectors and magnetic attachments that allow components to be quickly engaged and disengaged. These dynamic connections enable automated systems to rapidly assemble and disassemble compact components without requiring complex fastening operations, resolving the contradiction between compactness and disassembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If modular component architecture is implemented, then automated assembly and disassembly efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly automation efficiencyVSAvoidmodular architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal connectors and standardized interface designs that work across multiple component types and system configurations. This universality reduces the complexity of modular architecture by using common coupling mechanisms throughout the system, while still enabling automated assembly and disassembly processes to efficiently handle various components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter-based component identification and sorting mechanisms that automatically adjust assembly parameters based on component type. This approach manages modular architecture complexity by using software-controlled parameter changes rather than requiring complex mechanical differentiation, enabling automated systems to handle diverse components through programmable logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If component tracking and performance monitoring are implemented, then component reuse optimization is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent reuse reliabilityVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Components are equipped with embedded sensors and identification tags that automatically track their own usage metrics, performance parameters, and operational history. This self-service approach to component monitoring reduces the complexity of external tracking systems while improving component reuse reliability through accurate, automated data collection from each component's perspective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where component performance data is continuously monitored and used to automatically determine reuse eligibility and optimal allocation. This feedback mechanism optimizes component reuse reliability by using real-time performance information to make informed decisions, while the automated nature of the feedback process minimizes the complexity of the tracking infrastructure required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230185285A1Information handling system main board disposition automated using performance metrics

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

End users subscribe to use information handling systems having a selected of available performance characteristics defined by a main board processor, memory and graphics configuration selected to build the information handling systems. A manufacturer meets subscriptions with information handling systems built from an inventory of new main boards, deployed main boards of information handling system in use by subscribers, and separated main boards taken from returned information handling systems and re-used. End user subscriptions are met in part by building replacement information handling systems with separated components having a useful life remaining that aligns with end user usage patterns tracked over time, benchmarked performance metrics and end user subscription performance characteristics.