Composite cover for notebook-type computer

A cover for a notebook type computer, and a method of making same. The cover comprises a stiff metal body covered by a cosmetic shell. The body and shell are adhered together to form a composite cover. All force bearing elements, such as hinges and latches, are attached to the body, such that the shell need not endure applied force during use of the computer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to enclosures for information handling systems such as notebook and laptop computers, and more particularly to a cover for such computers.

BACKGROUND

Notebook computers are a type of portable information handling system. Notebook computers characterized by their compact flat shape. They are typically small enough to fit in a briefcase. In addition to their size and portability, a difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky display screen.

For a notebook computer, the display screen is placed on the inner surface of a hinged cover. The cover is hinged to the housing for the CPU, memory, and other computer hardware. The keyboard and other input mechanisms are placed on the top surface of this housing, such that the cover may be opened and tilted upward to expose the screen inside the cover and the keyboard atop the housing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method are described for a cover for a notebook-type information handling system. For a notebook-type information handling system, it is assumed that the cover has a hinged attachment to a lower portion of the information handling system.

The cover comprises a rigid body, to which the hinge attachment means are attached. A cosmetic shell has a shape that is generally conformal over the body. The shell is adhered to the top surface of the body, thereby forming a composite structure. Like the hinges, all structural elements to which force may be applied, are attached to the rigid body, not to the shell.

The cover provides a low cost alternative to other covers, and provides equal or better functionality. The primary function of the body is structural, to provide strength and protection for the information handling system. The primary purpose of the shell is to simply provide an attractive appearance.

Because the body is not visible, minor cosmetic defects in the body are not important, and manufacturing yields are higher. The shell provides an attractive appearance, and eliminates the need for cleaning, reworking, priming, and painting processes associated with conventional metal-type notebook computer covers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference toFIGS. 1 through 5, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a notebook computer100. Another type of small portable computer is a laptop computer. Technically, notebook computers are smaller than laptop computers. However, today, most laptop computers have been downsized to be notebook computers. For purposes of this description, the two terms are used synonymously.

Thus, although this description is in terms of a notebook computer, the term is used in its most general sense to include laptop computers, or any information handling system having a generally flat rectangular shape, a hinged flip-up cover, and its display mounted in the cover.

As stated in the Background, computer100has a bottom portion101, which contains the processing elements (not shown) and has various input devices (such as keyboard102) mounted on its surface. Top portion103is attached by means of hinges104to the bottom portion101. Display screen105is mounted on the inside surface of the top portion103. It is attached to cover106by means of a facing107.

Cover107serves as the top outer surface of computer100. As explained below, cover107is made from two main pieces, that is, a high strength rigid body covered by a cosmetic shell.

FIG. 2is an exploded view of cover107, showing body21and cosmetic shell22. Both body21and shell22have a generally flat planar shape. Shell22is molded or otherwise formed so as to be generally conformal to the top surface of body21. In other words, shell22has a generally flat planar shape and is easily placed atop body21.

Body21has a lip21athat generally matches the thickness of display105(not shown inFIG. 2). Shell22typically has a lip22athat substantially covers lip21a.

Typically, body21is manufactured by means of a drawing process. By “drawn” is meant a process of molding metal by rolling or pulling through a die.

An example of a suitable material is aluminum. However, other high strength rigid materials may be used. The primary function of body21is to provide structural strength to protect display105and other internal components of notebook computer100.

A feature of the invention is that because body21is not visible under shell22, body21need not satisfy cosmetic requirements. In other words, the drawing process used to make body21may result in defects that are acceptable for structural requirements, but might not be acceptable if the body21were not to be covered by shell22. This results in higher manufacturing yields for body21, than for covers of other notebook computers that use drawn metals.

Shell22is typically made from a plastic material. The function of shell22is as a cosmetic surface for body21, and it need not provide structural strength. The material may be low cost, and the manufacturing process may be simple, such as a molding process.

Shell22need only provide an attractive appearance over body21. It may be rigid or flexible. Another example of a suitable material is fiberglass.

Furthermore, shell22absorbs no force applied to cover107. All structural elements to which force may be applied are attached to body21. For example, forces applied by opening and closing body21are applied via hinges23(shown in exploded view), which are attached to body21. Plates24or other means for attaching display105(not shown inFIG. 2) are attached to body21. Similarly, latch25is attached to body21, as is the electrical connection26for display105. Forces normally occurring during use of computer100are applied to body21and not to shell22.

FIGS. 3 and 4are an inner view and outer view, respectively, of cover107. Body21and shell22are adhered or otherwise firmly attached to each other, such that the top surface of body21is conforms against the bottom surface of shell22. Together, they form a rigid composite cover107.

Referring especially toFIG. 4, logos or other design or enterprise marking insignia can be easily attached to the outer surface of shell22. The external appearance of cover107is dependent on shell22and not on body21.

FIG. 5is a chart that compares an example of cover107to a conventional metal cover. In the example ofFIG. 5, body21is made from aluminum, having a thickness of 0.8 mm. Shell22is made from plastic, having a thickness of 1.5 mm. A suitable plastic is polycarbonate (PC) combined with a plastic based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS). For purpose of this description, a “plastic” is a generic name for certain synthetic or semi synthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects, such as shell22.

Cover107is compared to a conventional cover (not shown) made from magnesium and aluminum and having a thickness of 1.4 mm.

Both cover107and the conventional cover were subjected to FEA (finite element analysis) deformation testing. As indicated the maximum deformation of cover107was 5.54 mm, whereas the maximum deformation of the conventional cover was 5.80 mm. The deformation ratios were 0.96 and 1 respectively. Thus, cover107compares favorably to conventional covers in terms of strength and stiffness.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.