Portable Device Shock Buffering via Intermediary Support Bosses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable terminals face damage from external shocks due to the transmission of these shocks to internal components through the inner case, which lacks sufficient buffering, leading to potential deformation and positional deviation of the upper and lower cases.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hollow exterior member with support parts and buffer members around them, keeping the inner member parallel and non-contact with the exterior, allowing the buffer members to absorb external shocks and prevent their transmission to the inner case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the inner case is fitted to the upper and lower cases to increase structural rigidity, then the device case stiffness is improved, but the shock resistance deteriorates because shocks are transmitted to the inner case and mounted components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice case stiffnessVSAvoidshock transmission to inner case
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner case and the upper/lower cases. This buffer member absorbs shock energy through elastic deformation, preventing direct shock transmission to the inner case and its mounted components, while still allowing the fitting structure to provide structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member is pre-installed in the fitting portion before the inner case is fitted to the cases. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when shocks occur, the buffer member is already in position to absorb the impact, protecting the inner case and its components from shock damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Device complexity

If the inner case is directly fitted to the upper and lower cases, then the device complexity is reduced, but the shock resistance deteriorates due to direct shock transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting structure simplicityVSAvoidshock resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member serves as a simple intermediary element that is easily integrated into the existing fitting structure. It adds minimal complexity to the device while significantly improving shock resistance by absorbing impact energy before it reaches the inner case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If buffer members are added around the support parts, then the shock resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock resistanceVSAvoidbuffer member configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Buffer members are strategically placed only around the support parts where the inner case contacts the upper and lower cases. This localized approach provides shock protection at critical points without adding unnecessary complexity to the entire device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer members are nested within the fitting portions of the upper and lower cases, utilizing existing structural spaces. This nesting approach integrates the buffer members into the device without adding significant external complexity or increasing the overall device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances the shock resistance of portable devices by effectively buffering external shocks, thereby protecting internal components from damage and maintaining the structural integrity of the device case.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of buffer members provided around each of the plurality of support parts... when the exterior member is applied with a shock from an outside, the shock from the outside can be buffered by the plurality of buffer members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3297260B1Portable device
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP3297260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3297260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3297260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable terminal includes a device case 1, which is an exterior member of which an inside is hollow, a plurality of support boss parts 25 provided in the inside of the device case 1 so as to stand up in a direction perpendicular to a front and back surface direction of the device case 1, a plurality of second buffer members 26 provided around each of the plurality of support boss parts 25, and an inner case 8, which is an inner member kept in the inside of the device case 1 in parallel with the front and back surface direction of the device case 1 without being in contact with the device case 1 by the plurality of second buffer members 26. Therefore, the inner case 8 is kept in the inside of the device case 1 by the plurality of second buffer members 26 without being in contact with the device case 1, so that when the device case 1 is applied with a shock from an outside, it is possible to buffer the shock from the outside by the plurality of second buffer members 26 so that the shock is not to be transmitted to the inner case 8.