Electronic Device Rib and Stopper Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices face damage to cables when the device falls, as the electronic components move towards the outer wall due to impact, causing cable damage or entanglement.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates ribs between the outer wall and the electronic component, with stoppers to prevent rib inclination and maintain cable protection by routing cables between the ribs and outer wall, and using protrusions to absorb impact and prevent cable damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the cable is routed between the outer wall and the electronic component without additional protective structures, then the device structure remains simple, but the cable is vulnerable to damage when the device falls and the electronic component moves toward the outer wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcable damage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rib as an intermediary protective structure positioned between the electronic component and the outer wall. This rib acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the moving electronic component and the cable, thereby protecting the cable from damage during impact without significantly complicating the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rib is pre-positioned in the housing before the impact occurs, creating a predetermined protective barrier. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the electronic component moves toward the outer wall during a fall, the cable is already protected by the rib, preventing damage before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If the rib is allowed to incline toward the outer wall during impact, then the rib can absorb impact force, but the cable routing space is reduced and cable damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorptionVSAvoidcable protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is selectively positioned at specific locations on the rib to prevent inclination only in the critical areas where cable damage would occur. This localized constraint allows the rib to absorb impact force through controlled deformation while maintaining adequate cable routing space in the regions where the cable passes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper provides a preliminary counter-action to the rib's inclination movement. By preventing the rib from inclining beyond a certain point, the stopper counteracts the harmful movement that would reduce cable routing space, while still allowing beneficial impact absorption through controlled rib deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS8273987B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 DYNABOOK INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an outer wall, a rib, a cable, and a stopper. The housing houses at least part of an electronic component. The outer wall constitutes at least part of an outer contour of the housing. The rib is located between the outer wall and the electronic component, and the outer surface of the rib faces the inner surface of the outer wall. The cable is routed between the outer wall and the rib. The stopper is housed in the housing, and engages the rib to prevent the rib from inclining toward the outer wall.