External Optical Disk Drive Assembly Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for converting slim internal optical disk drives into external optical disk drives result in a significant increase in overall area, which is not suitable for compact designs due to the need for an adapter circuit board that expands the device's footprint.
Innovation Solution
An external optical disk drive assembly that includes a slim internal optical disk drive with an external module, featuring a flexible transmission line and adapter circuit board, which is electrically coupled to maintain the original area without expanding it, utilizing a curved transmission line to connect ports and a recessed adapter circuit board within the slim internal drive's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter circuit board is installed to convert a slim internal optical disk drive into an external optical disk drive, then the circuit conversion function is achieved, but the overall area covered by the drive increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter circuit board is rotated 90 degrees relative to the optical disk drive, changing the orientation from a planar extension to a perpendicular arrangement. This dimensional change allows the adapter to be positioned above or below the drive rather than extending its footprint, thereby achieving circuit conversion while maintaining the original area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter circuit board is designed to be positioned within the vertical space above or below the optical disk drive, effectively nesting the adapter within the three-dimensional envelope of the original drive. This nesting approach allows both components to coexist without increasing the overall footprint, as the adapter utilizes the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally.
2Area of stationary object
If the adapter circuit board is positioned to maintain the original area, then the area increase is prevented, but the connection complexity increases due to extended external insertion
Solution Approach 1:
A curved flexible transmission line is used to connect the adapter circuit board to the optical disk drive. The curved geometry of the transmission line allows it to route signals around the 90-degree angle between the adapter and drive, simplifying the connection structure compared to rigid right-angled connectors while maintaining the compact area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line is implemented as a flexible printed circuit board or flexible cable that can bend and conform to the spatial relationship between the adapter and drive. This flexibility simplifies the connection structure by eliminating the need for complex rigid mounting arrangements, while still maintaining the original area coverage through the perpendicular orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an external optical disk drive assembly, which comprises a slim internal optical disk drive including a first transmission port; and an external module being disposed outside the slim internal optical disk drive and electrically coupled to the first transmission port, so that the slim internal optical disk drive is converted into the external optical disk drive, characterized in that the external module is disposed within the area covered by the slim internal optical disk drive.