Ejectable Component Tray With Non-Conductive Coating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices often experience shorts between removable module contacts and other components due to manufacturing variations and size reductions, leading to functional issues.

Innovation Solution

A tray design with distinct cosmetic and functional components, where the functional component is formed with conductive materials for rigidity and includes non-conductive coatings to prevent shorts, and keying elements ensure proper orientation during insertion, coupled with a biasing mechanism to secure the tray in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the tray is made with conductive materials for rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but electrical shorts between module contacts and other components occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is constructed with different materials for different portions: conductive material for structural portions and non-conductive material for portions that contact module contacts. This local differentiation allows the tray to maintain structural rigidity where needed while preventing electrical shorts at contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tray employs composite construction combining conductive and non-conductive materials in a single component. This allows integration of both structural strength (from conductive materials) and electrical isolation (from non-conductive materials) within one part, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and short prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If the module size is reduced, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing variations cause shorts between contacts and other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Non-conductive portions of the tray serve as an intermediary barrier between module contacts and other conductive components. This mediator prevents direct contact and potential shorts, compensating for manufacturing variations that occur when modules are miniaturized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is segmented into conductive and non-conductive portions, with the non-conductive segments strategically positioned to isolate module contacts from other components. This segmentation allows the tray to accommodate smaller modules while maintaining proper electrical isolation despite tighter tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the tray design includes distinct cosmetic and functional components, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cosmetic and functional portions of the tray are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. This integration maintains aesthetic appearance through the cosmetic portion while incorporating electrical isolation functions in the non-conductive portions, reducing assembly complexity despite the multi-material construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10262245B2Compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices

Publication Date: 2019.04.16

AI summary

Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a base coupled to a circuit board for electrically coupling with the removable module, a cage for biasing the module down against the base, and a guide for retaining the module at a functional insertion position within the device.