Compact Card Reader with Top-Insertion and Integrated Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card readers are bulky and inconvenient to carry due to their size and design, which prevents minimization and hinders easy insertion and removal of electronic cards into USB ports.
Innovation Solution
A compact card reader design featuring a hollow base with a USB standard metal casing and an electric module, allowing direct insertion of an electronic card into the USB port for two-way data transfer, with a configuration that keeps the card inside the casing for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional card readers use separate top and bottom cover shells with side openings for card insertion, then the card reader can accommodate electronic cards, but the card reader becomes bulky and inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the top cover shell and bottom cover shell into a single integrated housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate covers and side openings, reducing the overall volume of the card reader while maintaining the functionality of card accommodation and USB connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the card insertion opening from the lateral side to the top surface of the housing. This dimensional change allows the card to be inserted vertically into the housing, keeping the card completely enclosed within the housing boundaries, thus reducing the lateral dimensions and overall volume of the card reader.
2Length of moving object
If the USB terminal unit and memory card terminal unit are arranged at two far apart sides on the circuit board, then the circuit board can accommodate both connections, but the card reader length cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the USB terminal unit and memory card terminal unit into close proximity on the circuit board. By positioning these terminal units near each other, the overall length of the circuit board and consequently the card reader can be minimized while still providing both USB connection and card interface functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the side openings are disposed at one lateral side for card insertion, then the card can be inserted, but the card protrudes over the lateral side hindering plugging and deplugging operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the card insertion opening from lateral to top surface. This allows the card to be inserted vertically into the housing, keeping the entire card within the housing boundaries. The card no longer protrudes beyond the lateral sides, maintaining a compact profile that facilitates easy plugging and deplugging operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader includes a hollow base provided with a USB standard metal casing at one side, and an electric module mounted in the USB standard metal casing and the hollow base and defining with the USB standard metal casing an electronic card receiving space for accommodating an electric card such that the accommodated electronic card is insertable with the USB standard metal casing into a USB port of an electronic apparatus for two-way data transfer (reading or storing) between the electronic card and the electronic apparatus.