Tray and Flange Case Coupling for Portable Device Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, such as laptop-shaped computing devices, face challenges in ease of use for containment by their conventional cases due to complex designs and varied port configurations, which hinder secure and accessible storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a traylike structure and a flangelike structure with protrusions that engage with apertures, allowing for secure coupling and retention of the device within a case assembly, while maintaining access to ports and features through strategically sized and shaped wall portions and recessed areas, enabling the device to be securely stored while allowing for movement and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cases are used for portable electronic devices, then device containment is provided, but ease of use for containment is hindered due to complex designs and varied port configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into multiple components: a traylike structure with baseplate and wall portions, a flangelike structure with elongated members, and connector elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions (containment, coupling, port access) while simplifying the overall assembly process and improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The traylike structure serves multiple functions: it provides the base containment structure, incorporates wall portions that form channels for port access, and includes apertures for coupling. The flangelike structure similarly provides both structural coupling and port access pathways, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the containment process.
2Reliability
If secure coupling structures are added to retain devices, then device retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is merged into the flangelike structure, which integrates elongated members with protrusions that engage with apertures in the traylike structure. This combination provides secure retention while maintaining a relatively simple overall design, as the coupling mechanism is incorporated into an existing structural element rather than added as a separate complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the flangelike structure's elongated members are designed to engage with apertures in the traylike structure's wall portions. This nested engagement mechanism provides secure coupling while keeping the case components compact and relatively simple in design, avoiding the need for external fasteners or complex locking mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If wall portions are designed to provide port access, then accessibility to ports is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wall portions are designed with varying characteristics: certain sections are configured to form channels that provide access to ports and features, while other sections maintain sufficient thickness and structural continuity to preserve strength. This local differentiation allows the case to simultaneously provide port accessibility and maintain structural integrity without requiring complete redesign of the wall portions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are involved with but are not limited to an apparatus including a traylike structure including one or more apertures being positioned along one or more of a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion; and a flangelike structure including one or more protrusions being positioned to extend from one or more of a first lower interior surface of a first elongated member, a second lower interior surface of a second elongated member, and a third lower interior surface of the third elongated member to engage with the one or more apertures of the traylike structure thereby coupling the flangelike structure with the traylike structure. In addition, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.