Universal Ball Corner Structure for Handheld Device Drop Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electronic devices with ultra-thin designs and full touch bar liquid crystal screens face increased risk of breakage when dropped, as the edges or corners can easily crack, and protective sleeves add thickness and affect touch sensitivity and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A universal ball structure is integrated into the corners of the device, comprising a groove and a ball with an elastic material, allowing the ball to roll and absorb shock upon impact, while a telescopic rod provides support for various orientations, enhancing drop resistance and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective sleeves are added to prevent breakage, then drop resistance is improved, but device thickness increases and touch sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds elastic buffering materials (such as elastic polymers or rubber) within the housing structure at critical impact zones before drop events occur. This internal cushioning system absorbs impact energy during drops without requiring external protective sleeves, thereby maintaining device thickness while improving drop resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies protective measures selectively at specific high-risk areas (corners and edges) rather than uniformly across the entire device. By localizing the elastic buffering materials and reinforcement structures only where impact damage is most likely to occur, the device achieves enhanced protection without adding overall thickness.
2Reliability
If protective sleeves are added to prevent breakage, then drop resistance is improved, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic buffering materials are integrated internally within the housing structure, allowing heat to conduct through the same path as normal device operation. This internal cushioning system provides drop protection without creating an external insulating layer that would block heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective buffering materials are localized to specific internal zones rather than forming a comprehensive external layer. This localized approach minimizes interference with the device's overall heat dissipation pathways while providing protection where it is most needed.
3Length of moving object
If ultra-thin design is adopted, then device thickness is reduced, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reinforces only the critical structural areas (corners and edges) with elastic buffering materials and reinforcement structures, while maintaining the ultra-thin profile of the main device body. This localized strengthening approach preserves overall device thinness while providing enhanced structural strength at vulnerability points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the housing material with elastic buffering materials (such as elastic polymers or rubber) to create a composite structure. This composite design integrates both the structural integrity of the housing and the shock-absorbing properties of the elastic materials, achieving strength without increased thickness.
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 universal ball structure effectively reduces the risk of breakage by absorbing shock and distributing impact, while the telescopic rod facilitates easy viewing and retraction, maintaining device integrity and functionality without adding bulk.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic material between the groove and the ball
Implementation Method 2
a spring arranged in the sleeve in an axis direction of the sleeve, wherein, with the spring in a natural state, the sleeve extends out of the ball, and with the spring in a compressed state, the sleeve is fully retracted in the internal of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld electronic device is provided. The handheld electronic device includes a housing, wherein a universal ball structure is provided at a corner of the housing. The universal ball structure includes a groove, and a ball in the groove.