What is a monocoque design?

Author:
Jamie Clews
Communications

Like a Formula 1 car, our first product, the Carbon 1 MK II is made possible due to a robust carbon fiber monocoque structural design.  

A monocoque is a structural skin to which all components are attached and supported by. This is not a new concept and can be found in nature, the simplest way to think of it is an eggshell. The word monocoque is actually a French term word meaning, “single shell”.

Made possible through Carbon Mobile’s enabling HyRECM Technology, the monocoque design is the unlocking innovation that gives Carbon 1 its super lightweight and incredibly thin structure.  

Let me explain all.

What is a Monocoque?

Carbon fiber monocoque designs have been driving technology forward for over 40 years. Their ability to provide robust, lightweight structural engineering enables the faster and more efficient technologies of today.

In 1981, F1 team McLaren was the first to create a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis in their McLaren MP 4/1. Lighter and faster than the competition, it was a complete game changer, and the competition that questioned their approach initially; quickly followed suit.

More recently, BMW created the i8. The carbon-fiber based sports originally started life in 2011 as a concept and went into production in 2014. When it launched, it was the first high-performance plug-in hybrid vehicle to have the same emissions as a compact car. This is made possible due to the efficiencies unlocked by the car’s carbon fiber-based structural design.

The Carbon 1 MK II Monocoque

When designing the Carbon 1, the engineering team wanted to utilize carbon fiber’s advanced strength to weight ratio to build a robust device that was also incredibly light.

Unlike a conventional smartphone that has an internal metal frame; the hardware of the Carbon 1 is held in place with the structural skin of the device.

By removing the need for the center structural support, less internal space is required. The result is a smartphone that re-ignites miniaturization - the thinnest and lightest 6" smartphone available.

The most technically advanced smartphone body has properties far beyond structural and protective support. Imbedded into the carbon fiber is precision engineered features to support antenna connectivity, electrical circuit integration and thermal dispersion properties.  

Repairability

The Carbon 1 was built with repairability as an essential feature. With all internal components fitting to one single frame, remove the screen and you have an incredibly easy to repair device.

Want to learn more about HyRECM Material? Find out more here.