Elastic Member Arrangement for Tablet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tablet terminals with touch panels face instability and housing damage when used in a leaning position against a wall due to slipping caused by the added load from touch operations, making stable operation difficult and prone to falling.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates first and second elastic members with specific moduli of elasticity and coefficients of friction, attached to the housing, to prevent slipping against a level surface when leaning against a wall, with the first elastic members contacting the surface at larger upright angles and second elastic members at smaller angles, providing necessary frictional forces to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tablet terminal is used in a leaning state against a wall, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the device deteriorates due to housing slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting elastic members with specific modulus of elasticity values and coefficients of friction tailored to different leaning angles. First elastic members have higher modulus and lower friction coefficients for upright positions, while second elastic members have lower modulus and higher friction coefficients for tilted positions, optimizing stability across various operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different types of elastic members at different locations on the housing bottom surface. First elastic members are positioned for contact during upright use, while second elastic members are positioned for contact during tilted use, allowing each location to have properties optimized for its specific functional requirement
2Ease of operation
If the upright angle is increased to lean against the wall, then the ease of operation is improved, but the housing slips against the level surface due to reduced friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter by selecting elastic members with coefficients of friction specifically matched to different upright angles. For larger leaning angles where slipping is more likely, second elastic members with higher friction coefficients are used to counteract the reduced normal force and prevent harmful slipping
3Stability of the object's composition
If the modulus of elasticity is increased for the elastic members, then the stability is improved, but the friction coefficient decreases leading to more slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality - different elastic members with different property combinations are placed at different locations. First elastic members with high modulus and low friction are positioned for upright contact, while second elastic members with low modulus and high friction are positioned for tilted contact, allowing each local region to have properties optimized for its specific operational condition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes material parameters by selecting elastic members with opposite parameter combinations for different use cases. This allows the system to achieve both high stability (through appropriate modulus selection) and high friction (through appropriate friction coefficient selection) by changing which elastic member is active based on the leaning angle
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 ensures the electronic device remains stable and resistant to slipping, allowing for secure touch operations without falling, even when used at various upright angles, thereby preventing housing damage and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
first elastic members having a first modulus of elasticity and a first coefficient of friction and contacting a level surface when the electronic device is made to stand in a range from the vertical to a first angle and second elastic members having a second modulus of elasticity lower that the first modulus of elasticity and a second coefficient of friction larger than the first coefficient of friction
Implementation Method 2
first elastic members having a first modulus of elasticity and a first coefficient of friction and contacting a level surface when the electronic device is made to stand in a range from the vertical to a first angle and second elastic members having a second modulus of elasticity lower that the first modulus of elasticity and a second coefficient of friction larger than the first coefficient of friction
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device equipped with a touch panel provided with, at side surfaces of the housing, first elastic members having a first modulus of elasticity and a first coefficient of friction and contacting a level surface when the electronic device is made to stand in a range from the vertical to 50° and second elastic members having a second modulus of elasticity lower that the first modulus of elasticity and a second coefficient of friction larger than the first coefficient of friction and contacting the level surface when the electronic device is made to lean against a wall from the level surface by an angle of 50° or less, the electronic device thereby prevented from slipping no matter what the range of angle, is provided.