Rotatable Chassis Spine Cushioning for Interference Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information devices with rotatable chassis face interference issues between the spine member and other components during folding, leading to potential damage when the chassis are rotated, as existing designs lack effective clearance and protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A portable information device with a spine member that includes a cushion portion and a cover member to prevent interference, featuring a groove for cables and a cushion material to absorb shocks, ensuring component safety during rotation and folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the portable information device is miniaturized and thinned with densely arranged components, then the device size is reduced, but the risk of interference and damage between components and spine member increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcomponent safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cushion portion is provided on the front side of the spine member, facing the internal space between chassis. This cushion portion includes cushioning material that absorbs impact forces before they can reach and damage electronic components or the spine member itself during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion portion acts as an intermediary element between the spine member and the internal components of the chassis. It mediates the interaction forces during folding, preventing direct contact and potential damage between the spine member and vulnerable components like the motherboard or display edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the spine member is positioned to cover the gap between chassis, then structural integrity is maintained, but interference with internal components occurs during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinterference damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion portion is positioned on the front side of the spine member to provide protective cushioning before any potential interference with internal components can occur during the folding rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion portion serves as an intermediary layer between the spine member and the internal components, allowing the spine member to maintain its structural position while the cushion absorbs any harmful interaction forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If end surfaces of plates or displays protrude toward the spine member during folding, then component support is provided, but edge damage occurs due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent supportVSAvoidedge durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion portion provides protective cushioning in advance, preventing direct impact between the protruding end surfaces of plates or displays and the spine member during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion portion acts as an intermediary that allows the end surfaces to protrude for structural support while preventing direct contact with the spine member, thus protecting the edges from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents damage to components by providing a cushioned interface between the spine member and other parts, ensuring smooth operation and durability during folding and use.

Implementation Method 1

a cushion portion provided in at least a part of a front side of the spine member, the cushion portion facing an internal space generated between the first and second chassis in the stacked form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11301007B2Portable information device

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A portable information device includes: a first chassis; a second chassis adjacent to the first chassis, the second chassis coupled to the first chassis so as to be relatively rotatable between a flat form in which the first and second chassis are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to a surface direction thereof and a stacked form in which the first and the second chassis are stacked to overlap each other in the surface direction thereof; a spine member provided across adjacent end portions of the first and second chassis, the spine member covering a gap generated between the adjacent end portions of the first and second chassis in the stacked form; and a cushion portion provided in at least a part of a front side of the spine member, the cushion portion facing an internal space generated between the first and second chassis in the stacked form.