Single-Piece Electronic Device Housing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notebook computer housings are complex to assemble and disassemble, prone to bulkiness, and have potential failure areas due to numerous joints and components, which compromises their strength and protection.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece housing structure made from a unitary material with integrated major and side walls, featuring support members like ribs and bosses for internal component retention, and a hinge assembly for easy assembly and enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple housing components are assembled onto a frame, then the housing can provide protection and uniform appearance, but the assembly becomes complicated and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple housing components (side walls, end walls, reinforcement structures) into a single integrated housing unit made from one piece of sheet material. This merging eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate pieces onto a frame, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining protective strength through the integrated structure and internal reinforcements.
2Shape
If multiple housing components are assembled onto a frame, then the housing can provide uniform appearance, but the housing becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple housing functions into a single unitary structure eliminates gaps and seams between components, achieving uniform appearance without requiring additional spacing or alignment features that would increase volume. The single-piece construction allows for more efficient space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If numerous joints and connections are used between housing components, then the housing can be assembled, but potential failure areas increase reducing overall strength
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the housing as a single piece of sheet material with integrated reinforcements and attachment structures, the patent eliminates numerous joints and connections between separate components. This merging of housing elements removes potential failure points while maintaining ease of manufacture through the single-piece forming process, thereby improving overall structural strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device (10) includes a first housing (12) of a single piece of material that has first and second spaced apart major walls (26, 28) that extend in lateral directions and at least three side walls (30, 32, 34) extending perpendicular to the lateral directions between the major walls. The major walls and the side walls define an internal cavity (38), and the first housing defines an opening (36) to the internal cavity opposite one of the side walls. At least one support member (52) is within the internal cavity of the first housing adjacent a major walls a side wall thereof. At least one electronic component (74) is contained within the internal cavity, and a first cover (18) is removably affixed over the opening. The support member or the cover contributes to a retention force on the component within the internal cavity.