ODD Unit Forward Shift for Thin Electronic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses face challenges in reducing thickness while accommodating a relatively large battery pack and additional devices like a PC card slot and mini-PCI module, as simply stacking these components vertically leads to increased thickness.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus is designed with a housing configuration where the optical disk drive (ODD) unit is shifted forward, allowing additional devices to overlap its back end portion vertically, creating space for a larger battery pack and reducing overall thickness by arranging the battery pack in the back section and the ODD unit closer to the front, with additional devices like the card slot and mini-PCI module positioned under the ODD unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional devices and battery pack are stacked vertically in the conventional manner, then all components can be mounted, but the overall thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a purely vertical stacking arrangement to a hybrid arrangement that utilizes both vertical and horizontal dimensions. The ODD unit is positioned forward (horizontally shifted) while additional devices are placed in the vertical space above it, creating a three-dimensional layout that optimizes both thickness and component accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into distinct sections: a front section containing the ODD unit and a back section containing the battery pack. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned in its designated zone, preventing vertical stacking that would increase overall thickness while ensuring all components are properly accommodated.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a relatively large battery pack is mounted for long-time driving, then operating duration is extended, but the thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is positioned in the back section of the housing, utilizing horizontal space rather than extending vertically. This allows a large-capacity battery to be installed without proportionally increasing the thickness of the apparatus, as the volume is distributed across different spatial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
By segregating the battery pack into the back section and the ODD unit into the front section, the patent creates independent spatial zones. This segmentation enables the battery pack to achieve its required volume for long-time operation without encroaching on the vertical space that would increase overall thickness.
3Ease of manufacture
If ODD unit and additional devices are stacked vertically, then component mounting is simplified, but the electronic apparatus becomes thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spatial arrangement where additional devices are positioned in the vertical space above the ODD unit rather than stacking them directly on top in a single vertical column. This dimensional optimization maintains manufacturing simplicity while reducing the vertical footprint and overall thickness of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into functional zones that guide component placement. The ODD unit occupies the front horizontal space, while additional devices are accommodated in the vertical space above it, creating a organized layout that simplifies assembly while controlling thickness.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a battery pack, an ODD unit having a thickness smaller than the battery pack, and an additional device contained in the housing. The battery pack is arranged in a back section of the housing. The ODD unit is arranged to be one-sidedly shifted to a front section in the housing, and includes a front end portion opposed to the front section, and a back end portion opposed to the battery pack. The additional device is away from the front end portion of the ODD unit, and overlaps the back end portion of the ODD unit in the vertical direction.