Thin Metal Housing with Stop Recesses for Stable Anodizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of thin metallic housings for electronic devices is hindered by long machining times and high costs due to the need for specific initial thicknesses and extensive processing, which complicates electrical post-processing.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a metallic thin housing with a nonconductive structure and stop recesses that allow for stable electrical post-processing, including anodizing, by providing a mechanism for jigs to securely engage during processing, reducing material and time costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the initial thickness of the housing is increased to allow for extensive machining processes, then the housing can be properly manufactured and electrically post-processed, but the manufacturing time and material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing thickness controlVSAvoidmachining time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming the housing to its final thin thickness before machining operations, rather than starting with a thicker material that requires extensive removal. The housing is initially formed with the target thickness through shaping processes, and then only minimal machining is performed to create features like recesses and mounting structures. This eliminates the need for extensive material removal while still achieving the required precision and enabling electrical post-processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the initial thickness of the housing is increased to accommodate machining processes, then the housing can be manufactured with required features, but the material costs and raw material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing feature creationVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is formed to its final thin thickness through shaping processes before machining, minimizing the amount of material that needs to be removed. This preliminary formation step ensures that the housing has the required features and geometry from the outset, reducing material waste during subsequent machining operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of initial housing thickness from a thick starting material to a thin final thickness. By forming the housing directly at the target thickness rather than starting with excess material, the process minimizes material consumption while still enabling all necessary machining operations and electrical post-processing to be performed on the thin housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If extensive machining processes are applied to achieve the required housing features, then the housing can be properly manufactured, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing feature precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is formed to its final shape and thickness through shaping processes before machining operations. This preliminary action creates the basic geometry and features that would otherwise require complex multi-step machining processes, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing sequence while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables efficient and cost-effective manufacturing of thin metallic housings by simplifying the machining process and ensuring stable electrical post-processing, thereby reducing production time and costs while maintaining the strength and appearance of the housing.

Implementation Method 1

the side part includes an anodizing layer formed at a portion of the first inner surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnodizing: Anodising

Data Source

PatentUS11744028B2Electronic device including thin housing, and manufacturing method therefor

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing comprising a first surface opened while facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and one or more side parts disposed in different directions between the first surface and the second surface, a nonconductive structure disposed along at least a portion of the at least one side wall within the housing, and one or more stop recesses including at least one recess formed on one surface of the one or more side parts and a portion of the nonconductive structure surrounding a peripheral portion of the at least one recess.