Shock Absorber with Protrusions for Vibration Damping

Solution Overview

Problem

Rotatable data storage devices in portable electronic devices are susceptible to failure due to vibrations and shocks, as existing shock absorbers are not optimized for both shock absorption and vibration damping, leading to ineffective protection against position errors caused by disturbances like mobile phone vibrators and speakers.

Innovation Solution

A shock absorber design that includes shock absorbing frame members with protrusions on both inner and outer surfaces, which provide increased height and thickness to act as independent vibration dampers, effectively absorbing shocks and damping vibrations simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shock absorber is made stiff to absorb shocks from drops, then shock absorption capability is improved, but vibration damping capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidvibration damping capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is divided into multiple functional segments: a frame member providing structural support and shock absorption, and multiple protrusions extending from the frame that act as independent vibration dampers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the frame for stiffness and shock absorption, and the protrusions for vibration damping through their flexible material properties and geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shock absorber are given different mechanical properties. The frame member is designed with higher stiffness to absorb shocks, while the protrusions are made of flexible material with lower stiffness to damp vibrations. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the single shock absorber component to simultaneously address both shock absorption and vibration damping requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shock absorber is made soft to damp vibrations, then vibration damping capability is improved, but shock absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration damping capabilityVSAvoidshock absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is divided into multiple functional segments: a frame member providing structural support and shock absorption, and multiple protrusions extending from the frame that act as independent vibration dampers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the frame for stiffness and shock absorption, and the protrusions for vibration damping through their flexible material properties and geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shock absorber are given different mechanical properties. The frame member is designed with higher stiffness to absorb shocks, while the protrusions are made of flexible material with lower stiffness to damp vibrations. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the single shock absorber component to simultaneously address both shock absorption and vibration damping requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 shock absorber effectively reduces position errors in rotatable data storage devices by absorbing high amounts of shock and damping vibrations, enhancing the reliability of these devices in portable electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

The shock absorber includes at least one shock absorbing frame member that is surrounded an electronic device enclosure and at least two protrusions that protrude from the at least one shock absorbing frame member. Each protrusion extends beyond the at least one shock absorbing frame member from a recessed surface recessed into the at least one shock absorbing frame member.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A shock absorber is provided that also includes vibration damping. The shock absorber effectively reduces position errors in rotatable data storage devices by absorbing high amounts of shock and damping vibrations.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8702073B2Shock absorber capable of damping vibration

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

A shock absorber is provided that also includes vibration damping. The shock absorber includes at least one shock absorbing frame member that partially surrounds an electronic device enclosure. The shock absorber also includes at least two protrusions that protrude from the at least one shock absorbing frame member. Each protrusion extends beyond the at least one shock absorbing frame member from a recessed surface recessed into the at least one shock absorbing frame member.