Smartphone Shell Structure with Intermixed Elastic and Fiber Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smartphone designs with crashworthiness features compromise on appearance and structural integrity due to protruding elastic materials and double-layer structures, which are not in line with the trend of thin and smooth designs.
Innovation Solution
A shell structure comprising an elastic material structure intermixed with a fiber structure, where the fiber structure is wrapped between outer and inner layers, and a frame with notches, providing buffering spaces that absorb impact without the need for protruding materials or double-layer configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protruding elastic material is used at corners for shock absorption, then crashworthiness is improved, but appearance smoothness and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elastic material from the corner regions and relocates it to the peripheral regions between the casing and frame. This allows the corner regions to maintain smooth appearance while the elastic material still provides shock absorption functionality in the peripheral buffering spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional protruding elastic structures at corners to a two-dimensional buffering space configuration at peripheries. The elastic material is positioned in the peripheral region between casing and frame, creating a planar buffering zone that maintains external smoothness while providing internal shock absorption.
2Strength
If double-layer structure with overlaid covers is used to strengthen device body, then structural integrity is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function into a single-layer casing structure by integrating elastic material and fiber reinforcement directly into the casing body. This eliminates the need for separate overlaid cover layers while maintaining structural integrity through the composite material construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of elastic material intermixed with fiber structure within the casing. This composite construction provides enhanced strength and shock absorption in a single layer, replacing the need for multiple overlaid covers and reducing overall device thickness.
3Reliability
If protruding elastic material is used at corners, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shock absorption function from the corner regions and relocates it to the peripheral buffering spaces. This simplifies the corner structure to smooth surfaces while maintaining shock absorption capability through the elastic material positioned peripherally between the casing and frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral buffering space serves multiple functions: it provides shock absorption, maintains structural integrity, and preserves appearance smoothness simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate corner protection elements, reducing overall device complexity.
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 shell structure achieves effective crashworthiness by distributing impact forces and preventing damage to the corner regions, maintaining a thin and smooth design while enhancing the structural integrity of smartphones.
Implementation Method 1
the casing includes an elastic material structure... provide shock absorption and protection when the smart phones are dropped
Implementation Method 2
the fiber structure is intermixed with the elastic material structure... a tenacity is also provided to the casing through the fiber structure
Data Source
AI summary
A shell structure including a casing and a frame is provided. The casing includes an elastic material structure and a fiber structure, wherein the fiber structure is intermixed with the elastic material structure, and the casing has at least two sides adjacent to each other. The frame is wrapped by the casing, wherein the casing and the frame have at least one buffering space therebetween, and the buffering space is aligned to a border between the two sides. In addition, a manufacturing method of the shell structure is also provided.