Portable Device Side Cover and Decorative Plate Upright Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices struggle to maintain stability in an upright position due to inadequate support structures, requiring additional components and user instructions for assembly, which complicates intuitive use.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device design featuring pivotally connected side covers and a decorative plate supported by an elastic element, allowing for stable upright positioning without additional supporters and intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If additional supporter assemblies are configured to achieve upright position, then the electronic device can stand upright, but the stability is not ensured and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright position stabilityVSAvoidsupporter assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device body is segmented into multiple functional parts: main body, side covers, and decorative plates. Each side cover can independently pivot between closed and opened states, allowing the device to achieve upright position through coordinated movement of these segments without requiring additional external supporter assemblies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side covers are designed with pivotal connections allowing dynamic movement between closed and opened positions. When opened, the side covers form a predetermined angle with the main body, automatically creating a stable triangular support structure that enables upright positioning without fixed mechanical supporters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional supporter assemblies are configured for upright position, then the electronic device can stand upright, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to user instructions requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright position stabilityVSAvoidintuitive operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-positioning through its own structural components. The side covers and decorative plates automatically form the upright support structure when opened, eliminating the need for external supporter assemblies and complex assembly instructions. The user simply needs to open the side covers, and the device self-configures for upright positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If side covers are opened to achieve upright position, then the device can stand upright, but the stability may be compromised without additional support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimple operationVSAvoidupright position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative plates are nested between the side covers and main body, pivotally connected to the side covers. When side covers open to predetermined angles, the decorative plates follow suit, creating an interlocked nested structure that enhances stability. The elastic elements nested within this structure provide additional support force to maintain the opened position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic elements are pre-configured to store elastic energy that automatically pushes the decorative plates and side covers to the predetermined opened angle. This preliminary energy storage ensures that when the side covers are opened, they automatically achieve and maintain the stable upright position without requiring additional support structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The device achieves stable upright support with simple operations, enhancing usability and aesthetic design by using pivotally connected side covers and an elastic-supported decorative plate to fill the gap between the main body and side covers.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic element is disposed at the second edge. The elastic element supports the decorative plate when the side cover is in the second position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10394286B2Portable electronic device

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

The disclosure provides a portable electronic device, including a main body, a side cover, a decorative plate, and an elastic element. The side cover is pivotally disposed on a side edge of the main body. The side cover is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the main body. The side cover abuts against the main body when in the first position. The side cover forms an angle with the main body when in the second position. The decorative plate includes a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. The first edge is pivotally disposed on the side cover. The second edge abuts against the main body when the side cover is in the first position. The second edge is separate from the main body and the third edge abuts against the main body when the side cover is in the second position. The elastic element is disposed at the second edge. The elastic element supports the decorative plate when the side cover is in the second position.