Electronic Device Tray Power Management for Multi-Media Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in efficiently attaching and detaching multiple external storage media without causing data loss or faults, due to the complexity of managing power contacts during attachment and detachment.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a plug-in apparatus that allows simultaneous attachment of multiple external storage media, featuring a socket with specific contact arrangements and a power management circuit to prevent unintended power supply to external storage media during attachment or detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external storage media are attached to respective holders at different locations, then the capability to simultaneously use multiple external storage media is improved, but the device size increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to simultaneously use multiple external storage mediaVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple storage media attachment capabilities into a single integrated holder structure. The holder is designed with multiple slots or compartments that can accommodate several external storage media simultaneously, allowing users to attach and detach multiple media at once from one location rather than managing separate holders at different device locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external storage media are attached to respective holders at different locations, then the capability to simultaneously use multiple external storage media is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to simultaneously use multiple external storage mediaVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple storage media attachment functions into a single integrated holder structure. The holder contains multiple slots or compartments that can accommodate several external storage media simultaneously, reducing the overall device footprint by eliminating the need for separate holders distributed across different device locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If power is supplied during attachment or detachment of external storage media, then the external storage medium can be electrically connected, but unintended power supply to wrong contacts causes data loss or faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection capabilityVSAvoiddata safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a detection mechanism that identifies whether an external storage medium is properly attached before initiating power supply. The system first detects the presence and proper positioning of the storage medium, then activates power supply only after confirming correct attachment. This preliminary detection prevents unintended power supply to wrong contacts that could cause data loss or faults.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3417602B1Electronic device attachable external storage media
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3417602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3417602B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic device includes a tray comprising a first external storage medium and a second external storage medium, a connection circuit comprising a plurality of first contacts configured to be electrically connected to the first external storage medium and a plurality of second contacts configured to be electrically connected to the second external storage medium when the tray is attached to the electronic device, a power management circuit configured to be electrically connected to at least one part of the connection circuit, a detector configured to detect that the tray is moved to be attached to or detached from the electronic device, and a processor electrically connected to the detector and the power management circuit, wherein the processor is configured to adjust the power management circuit to control power provided to at least one part of the plurality of first contacts or second contacts when the tray is moved to be attached to or detached from the electronic device.