Spring-Damped Window Pane for Hazardous Area Tablets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device arrangements for tablet computers fail to meet the mechanical strength requirements in potentially explosive areas, such as oil drilling platforms, as they are not adequately protected against mechanical shocks and explosions.

Innovation Solution

A device arrangement that fixes an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, inside a housing with a transparent window pane, which is mounted using a spring/damping device to absorb impact energy, reducing mechanical stress and enhancing breaking strength by allowing the window pane to temporarily deflect from its rest position during external impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid fixed mounting is used for the window pane and electronic device, then structural stability is improved, but fracture resistance under impact is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfracture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a spring/damping device that is pre-installed between the window pane assembly and the housing. This device is designed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the window pane, cushioning against potential fractures from explosions or mechanical impacts while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the window pane is rigidly fixed to the housing, then mechanical stability is improved, but impact energy absorption is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidimpact energy absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The spring/damping device is pre-installed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the window pane, cushioning against potential fractures from explosions or mechanical impacts while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the rigid fixed mounting into a dynamic system by introducing a spring/damping device that allows controlled movement and energy absorption. The window pane assembly can temporarily deflect from its rest position during impacts and return afterward, converting the static structure into a dynamic energy-absorbing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If adhesive bonding is used to fix the window pane, then sealing is improved, but fracture resistance is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidfracture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spring/damping device is pre-installed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the window pane, cushioning against potential fractures from explosions or mechanical impacts while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 significantly improves the breaking strength of the device arrangement, ensuring compliance with legal requirements for use in hazardous areas by effectively absorbing shock and preventing the window pane from bursting, while maintaining a sealed environment to prevent explosive gas penetration.

Implementation Method 1

the energy transferred to the pane is at least partially absorbed by the spring/damping device. This causes the window pane, including the electronic device attached to it, to be temporarily deflected from its rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

mount the window pane and, alternatively or additionally, the electronic device itself, on the housing by means of a spring/damping device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2921930B1Protective case for an electronic device
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 ECOM INSTR
  • EP2921930B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a device arrangement (1), - comprising a housing (2) surrounding an interior (3) which has a viewing window (4) which is closed by a transparent window pane (5), - comprising an electronic device (6), in particular a tablet computer (7), arranged in the interior (3) and having a display (8), which is fixedly attached to the window pane (5), - comprising a spring/damping device (10) by means of which the window pane (5) and/or the electronic device (6) is supported on the housing (2).