Cover Plate Assembly for Slide-Style Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Slide-style mobile devices face issues with unsightly openings and breaches in their housing when the slider portion is open, exposing internal components and allowing dirt or contaminants to enter.

Innovation Solution

A cover plate assembly is introduced, where the cover plate is slidably engaged with the guide base and sliding plate, with a higher friction coefficient between the cover plate and sliding plate than between the cover plate and guide base, allowing the slider portion to move freely while keeping internal components hidden and preventing contaminants from entering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slot is provided in the slide plate for accommodating the flexible circuit, then the flexible circuit can be fed to connections in the slide portion, but the slot creates an unsightly opening that degrades the appearance of the device when open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible circuit accommodationVSAvoidappearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A cover plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the slide plate and the flexible circuit. The cover plate covers the slot that accommodates the flexible circuit, preventing the slot from being visible when the device is in the open state, thus resolving the appearance issue while maintaining flexible circuit functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds a new dimension by introducing a cover plate that moves independently in the same sliding direction as the slide portion. This additional component operates in the same spatial plane but provides a different functional layer that addresses the appearance concern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a slot is provided in the slide plate for accommodating the flexible circuit, then the flexible circuit can be fed to connections in the slide portion, but the slot creates an open pathway for dirt, water or other contaminants to enter the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible circuit accommodationVSAvoidcontaminant entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate serves as a protective intermediary that covers the slot opening, blocking the pathway for contaminants while still allowing the flexible circuit to function through the covered slot

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate provides preliminary protection by covering the slot before contaminants can enter, preventing harmful factors from reaching internal components through the flexible circuit pathway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the cover plate is slidably engaged with the guide base and sliding plate, then the slider portion can move freely, but friction must be managed to ensure proper movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslider movementVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages friction by controlling the friction coefficient between the cover plate and the sliding plate, ensuring it is sufficient to prevent unwanted movement while allowing controlled sliding operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the slide portion moves, maintaining proper engagement while enabling free movement of the slider

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This configuration allows the slider portion to move the desired length while maintaining the internal components out of sight, enhancing the device's appearance and preventing contamination, ensuring uninterrupted signal transfer and improved durability.

Implementation Method 1

a higher friction coefficient between the cover plate and sliding plate than between the cover plate and guide base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction coefficient: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8326381B2Cover plate assembly and method of operation of same

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A mobile device is described herein in which the mobile device can have a base portion that can include a guide base and can also have a slider portion that can include a sliding plate. The slider portion can be slidably engaged with the base portion and can move relative to the base portion. The mobile device can also include a cover plate that can be slidably engaged with the guide base of the base portion and the sliding plate of the slider portion. In one arrangement, the cover plate can be configured to selectively cover a slot of the sliding plate. As an example, when the slider portion moves from a closed position to an open position, the cover plate can move in substantially the same direction as the slider portion due to a friction coefficient between the cover plate and the sliding plate being greater than a friction coefficient between the cover plate and the guide base.