Extendable Connector Port for Thin Computing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
As computing devices decrease in size, the available space for ports and connectors also diminishes, leading to a challenge in accommodating conventional ports that are thicker than the device housing, resulting in limited compatibility with peripheral devices.
Innovation Solution
An extendable connector port that expands from a closed position to an open position, integrated into the device housing, allowing it to accommodate thicker ports without increasing the device's thickness, featuring a floor, tongue, and roof with an extension mechanism that adjusts gaps for plug retention and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ports are used in thin computing devices, then port compatibility with peripheral devices is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector port is designed to dynamically change its configuration between a closed position (flush with housing surface) and an open position (extended outward). This dynamic transformation allows the port to accommodate standard-sized connectors when needed while maintaining a thin profile when the port is not in use, resolving the contradiction between port compatibility and device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector port is divided into multiple components including a floor, tongue, and roof that can move independently. The floor and roof form a sandwich structure that can expand and contract, allowing the port to transition between compact and extended states. This segmentation enables the port to provide full connector functionality when opened while maintaining a thin integrated appearance when closed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard-sized ports are included in thin devices, then peripheral device compatibility is improved, but available internal space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector port components are nested within the housing when in the closed position, with the floor and roof forming a compact sandwich structure. When opened, the components extend outward while remaining contained within the overall device envelope. This nesting approach allows standard-sized ports to be accommodated without permanently occupying excessive internal space, as the port volume is only fully realized when needed for connector insertion.
3Ease of operation
If connector port is extended outside housing, then plug reception capability is improved, but device profile is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector port transitions dynamically between a retracted state (maintaining sleek device profile) and an extended state (enabling plug reception). The floor, tongue, and roof move in coordination to extend the port outward when needed while returning to a compact configuration when not in use, allowing the device to maintain its aesthetic profile while providing full connector functionality when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Extendable connector ports are described herein that may be implemented in thin computing devices. An extendable connector port includes a floor, tongue, and roof that expand from a closed position stored within a computing device to an open position that extends away from the computing device. An extension mechanism of the extendable connector port maintains a parallel orientation of the floor, tongue, and roof and gaps in the extendable connector port when the port extends to the open position. The extendable connector port may then be collapsed into the closed position by reducing or eliminating gaps between the floor, tongue, and roof, so that the connector port is thinner in its closed position than it is in its open position. This collapsibility of the extendable connector port allows thin computing devices to include ports that are thicker than a housing of the device.