Connector Eject Mechanism with Lateral Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card connectors require a large number of components for their eject mechanisms, which can lead to insecure holding and easy removal of trays upon impact, and often rely on friction or strong resilient forces that are difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an eject bar, lever, lock portion, and stopper that allows for secure holding and easy ejection with a minimal number of components, using a mechanism where the lock portion moves between a lock and unlock position to prevent or facilitate ejection based on the object's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of members are used to form the eject mechanism, then the holding security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ejector and holder into a single integrated component. The ejector includes a resilient portion that provides holding force and a lock portion that engages with the holder to secure it in position. This merging eliminates the need for separate holding members while maintaining secure holding through the combination of resilient force and mechanical locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector serves multiple functions: it holds the tray through resilient force, locks the tray in position through the lock portion, and ejects the tray when activated. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a strong resilient force is used to hold the tray securely, then the holding security is improved, but the force required to eject the tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock portion is designed to move dynamically between engaged and disengaged states. During normal operation, the lock portion engages with the holder to maintain strong holding force. When ejection is needed, the lock portion is disengaged, allowing the tray to be ejected with minimal force. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between strong holding and easy ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock portion is positioned and engaged in advance to secure the tray before ejection is needed. By pre-establishing the locked state, the system ensures secure holding during use, and the ejection mechanism only needs to overcome the locking engagement rather than the full resilient force, reducing the required ejection force.
3Device complexity
If the eject mechanism is formed outside the connector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the holding security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector is integrated within the connector housing rather than being external. The resilient portion is positioned inside the connector to directly support the tray, and the lock portion engages with the holder internally. This integration ensures that the holding and locking mechanisms are structurally connected to the connector, providing secure holding while maintaining a compact design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design securely holds objects and allows for easy ejection with a small force, using fewer components than previous designs and providing stability against impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient portion extending forward from the operating portion
Implementation Method 2
a lock portion movable laterally, and a stopper laterally opposing the lock portion... the lock portion is brought into abutment with the ejection-prevent portion, the abutment moves the lock portion laterally, and the moved lock portion is received and stopped by the stopper
Implementation Method 3
an eject lever configured to be operated by the eject bar... When the eject bar moves along the insert direction, the eject lever presses and moves the object in the eject direction
Data Source
AI summary
A connector ejects a tray along an eject direction opposite to an insert direction along which the tray is inserted. The connector comprises an eject bar movable along the insert direction, a lock portion movable in a width direction perpendicular to the insert direction, and a stopper. The lock portion moves along the insert direction when the eject bar moves along the insert direction. When the inserted tray is pulled along the eject direction, the tray is brought into abutment with the lock portion. The lock portion in the abutment moves in the width direction to be stopped by the stopper so that the tray is prevented from being ejected. When the eject bar is moved along the insert direction, the lock portion is brought into abutment with the tray. In this case, the lock portion moves in the width direction without being stopped so that the tray is ejected.