Protective Casing for Tablet Computer with Damping Hinge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current two-in-one computers face issues with stability in notebook mode due to a low support point and high center of gravity, poor portability and thinness in tablet mode, low external cleanliness, and aesthetic concerns, along with inadequate protection of the tablet host's rear surface.

Innovation Solution

A protective case design that includes a first and second support plate, a cover plate, and a damping rotating shaft, allowing the tablet computer to be supported by an A-frame in notebook mode and easily converted to tablet mode, with the damping rotating shaft providing stability and damping effect without additional damping structures, and maintaining cleanliness and uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a supporting structure is added to the tablet host to improve stability in notebook mode, then stability is improved, but the structural space increases and the device becomes heavier and thicker

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructural space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case is divided into separate functional components: a cover plate for protection, and an A-frame structure formed by the first and second support plates for stability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring additional space within the tablet host.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective case acts as an intermediary structure between the tablet host and the external environment. It provides the supporting function externally rather than requiring internal modifications to the tablet host, thus avoiding occupation of structural space within the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a built-in support structure is integrated into the tablet host to improve stability, then stability is improved, but the tablet host requires relatively large structural space and experience of lightness and thinness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidthinness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented from the tablet host and implemented in the protective case. The first support plate and second support plate form an A-frame structure that provides stability without adding thickness to the tablet host itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting function is extracted from the tablet host and implemented in the external protective case. This allows the tablet host to remain thin and light while still providing stability when needed through the detachable protective case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional protection structures are added to the tablet host to protect the rear surface, then protection is improved, but the external cleanliness and uniformity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidexternal cleanliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function and the supporting function are merged into a single integrated protective case structure. The cover plate provides protection for the rear surface while the first and second support plates provide stability, eliminating the need for separate protection structures that would compromise appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective case serves multiple functions: it protects the rear surface of the tablet host through the cover plate, provides stability through the A-frame structure, and maintains external cleanliness by providing a uniform aesthetic appearance without additional protruding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If a keyboard is integrated with the display screen to form a two-in-one computer, then productivity is improved, but portability and thinness in tablet mode are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be attached to provide notebook mode stability when productivity is needed, or detached when portability and thinness are prioritized in tablet mode. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between productivity and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 protective case enhances stability in notebook mode, improves portability and thinness in tablet mode, maintains external cleanliness, and provides effective protection to the tablet computer, addressing the limitations of existing two-in-one computers.

Implementation Method 1

The display screen is hinged to the keyboard by using a damping rotating shaft. The damping rotating shaft may enable the display screen to rotate by 0° to 360° relative to the keyboard.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3567449B1Protective casing for tablet computer and two-in-one computer
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3567449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3567449B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3567449B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of electronic product technologies, and provide a protective case for a tablet computer and a two-in-one computer, so that a tablet computer can be stably supported in a notebook computer mode, and use portability and a degree of experience of lightness and thinness in a tablet computer mode are improved. The protective case for a tablet computer includes a first support plate, a second support plate, and a cover plate that are located in a same horizontal plane and that are sequentially arranged in a first direction, where the first support plate is hinged to the second support plate by using a damping rotating shaft, the second support plate is rotatably connected to the cover plate, a bottom support is disposed on an edge of one end that is close to the cover plate and that is of an upper surface of the second support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate are configured to support and protect a rear surface of a tablet computer, the bottom support is configured to be detachably connected to a side wall of the tablet computer, a keyboard is installed on the cover plate, and the cover plate can be configured to protect a front surface of the tablet computer after rotating and overlapping the first support plate and the second support plate. This application is used to protect the tablet computer.