Card Socket Metal Base Frame Reduces Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card sockets face challenges in reducing thickness while maintaining strength and incorporating a detection switch without increasing size, due to complex housing structures and limitations in contact arrangement.

Innovation Solution

A card socket design featuring a metal base frame with separate parts connected by a metal cover, allowing for a simpler structure with reduced thickness, improved strength, and integrated detection switch components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the thickness of the card socket is reduced, then the compactness is improved, but the strength of the housing becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethicknessVSAvoidhousing strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The card socket combines a resin housing with a metal reinforcement frame to create a composite structure. The metal frame provides high strength and rigidity while the resin housing maintains a thin profile, resolving the contradiction between reduced thickness and maintained strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a detection switch is added to the card socket, then the functionality is improved, but the size of the card socket increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidcard socket size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection switch structure is merged with the existing housing and metal frame components. The switch lever is integrated into the housing space, and the switch contact utilizes the metal frame as a mounting substrate, eliminating the need for separate switch components and maintaining compact size while adding detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the housing structure is made complicated to hold multiple members, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemember holding capabilityVSAvoidhousing fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The card socket is segmented into distinct functional components: a resin housing for structural support and guidance, a metal reinforcement frame for strength and contact support, and integrated switch components. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured using appropriate processes and then assembled, simplifying manufacturing compared to forming a single complex housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8523614B2Card socket

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD

AI summary

[Object] To provide a card socket having a structure that achieves a low profile.[Solving Means] The base portion of a card frame is basically constituted by a base frame (100) made of metal. Resin is used only for parts where absolutely necessary, such as a housing (200) for retaining contacts (300) and a switch piece holding housing (700) that retains a second switch piece (620). Thus, the resin thickness can be reduced while maintaining the strength of the card socket, so that the structure of the card socket is simplified and a low profile can be achieved.