Elastic Cover Mechanism for Memory Card Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with memory card slots face challenges in securely and easily inserting and ejecting memory cards, particularly due to rigid designs that do not accommodate user-friendly deformation for card access.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring an elastic cover with a deformable pressing groove and slot system that guides memory cards into a card reader, allowing for easy insertion and ejection, and can be made from materials like rubber or metal with adhesive or hook fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid memory card slot design is used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in inserting and ejecting cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of card insertion and ejection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cover deformable rather than rigid. The cover can elastically deform during card insertion and ejection operations, allowing it to adapt to the mechanical actions of users while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both operational ease through deformation and structural stability through elastic recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the cover from rigid to elastic/deformable. This parameter change allows the cover to undergo temporary shape changes during card operations while returning to its original form, thereby achieving both ease of operation and structural stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a deformable cover is used for easy card access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage to cards or components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of card accessVSAvoidprotection of card and component integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the cover with elastic properties that absorb and cushion mechanical forces during card insertion and ejection. The elastic material acts as a buffer that protects against impact forces, preventing damage to cards and internal components while still allowing easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible elastic cover that can deform to accommodate card operations. This flexible shell provides protection through its ability to absorb mechanical energy while maintaining the structural enclosure, thereby ensuring both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If an elastic cover with pressing groove is used, then ease of operation is improved for card ejection, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard ejection easeVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the elastic cover: it serves as both a protective enclosure and a card ejection mechanism. The pressing groove integrated into the elastic cover allows users to eject cards by pressing the cover itself, combining the protective function and ejection function into a single component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic cover is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a protective shield and an active card ejection mechanism. The pressing groove feature enables the cover to perform the ejection function that would otherwise require a separate mechanical component, thus simplifying the device while enhancing usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 elastic cover system facilitates secure and user-friendly memory card access, enhancing the usability of electronic devices by allowing for easy insertion and ejection without damaging the cards or device components.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic cover with a deformable pressing groove and slot system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

can be made from materials like rubber or metal with adhesive or hook fixation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9213868B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

An electronic device comprises a housing defining an inserting slit configured to receive a memory card, a printed circuit board configured to be installed within the housing, a card reader installed in the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, and an elastic cover coupled to the housing and configured to cover the inserting slit. The card reader is configured to be substantially adjacent to the inserting slit. The elastic cover defines a slot for guiding the memory card to a receiving portion of the card reader. The elastic cover is configured to deform and expose the memory card upon depression, so that the memory card is ejected out of the housing via the slot.