Variable-Density Mesh Housing for Device Center-of-Mass Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices, such as digital styluses and wearables, often have unbalanced centers of mass due to the distribution of electronic components, leading to discomfort and instability, and lack a component that can effectively balance and ventilate while maintaining aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a mesh structure with a varying density profile, where the density transitions from higher to lower along the length, serving as a housing or component that balances the device by shifting the center of mass and also functions as a ventilation structure, potentially adding counterbalancing weight without additional bulk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If electronic components are concentrated in one area of the device, then the device structure is simplified, but the center of mass becomes unbalanced causing discomfort and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcenter of mass balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh structure implements local quality by varying the density of mesh elements in different regions. The first portion of the housing has a first mesh density while the second portion has a second mesh density, creating localized density variations that shift the center of mass to achieve balance without adding separate counterweight components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the mesh density parameter across different portions of the housing. By changing the density parameter of the mesh structure from uniform to non-uniform distribution, the center of mass position is adjusted to achieve balance, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and balance stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If a mesh structure is used for ventilation, then airflow is improved, but the structural strength and center of mass control are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation airflowVSAvoidcenter of mass
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh structure applies local quality by assigning different mesh densities to different portions of the housing. The first portion has a higher mesh density for ventilation while the second portion has a lower mesh density for counterbalancing, allowing both ventilation and center of mass control to be achieved simultaneously within the same structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural enclosure, enables ventilation through its open mesh design, and controls the center of mass through non-uniform mesh density distribution. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ventilation performance and center of mass stability.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If counterbalancing weight is added to balance the device, then center of mass is corrected, but the device bulk and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter of mass balanceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding uniform counterbalancing weight, the patent uses local quality by concentrating higher mesh density in specific portions of the housing. This creates localized mass distribution that shifts the center of mass to the desired position without increasing the overall device weight, as the counterbalancing is achieved through redistribution rather than addition of mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh housing acts as a composite structure where the varying mesh density creates different effective material densities in different regions. This composite approach allows the housing to serve both structural and counterbalancing functions without requiring separate counterweight materials, thereby avoiding additional weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3314377B1Variable density device profile
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3314377B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3314377B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3314377B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The description relates to devices. One example device can involve a mesh structure with a density profile varying from a first end of the mesh structure to a second end of the mesh structure.