Flexible Flag Optical Drive Emptiness Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical disc drives lack a convenient method to quickly determine if they are empty, leading to inefficiencies and potential security risks when searching for or ensuring the removal of optical discs, especially in large environments.

Innovation Solution

An optical drive emptiness indicator comprising a base with a flexible flag that extends outside the drive, providing a visual indication of emptiness, which can be loaded into the drive and attached using various methods to prevent interference with the drive's mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If no indicator is provided in the optical drive, then the drive structure remains simple, but it becomes difficult to quickly determine if the drive is empty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive emptiness detectionVSAvoiddrive structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible flag is introduced as an intermediary indicator element that visually signals drive emptiness. The flag is attached to the base and extends outward when no disc is present, providing clear visual detection without requiring complex electronic sensors or mechanisms within the drive itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flag automatically changes position based on the presence or absence of an optical disc. When a disc is loaded, it pushes the flag inward; when empty, the flag extends outward. This self-indicating mechanism eliminates the need for external monitoring systems or complex detection electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a flag is added to indicate drive emptiness, then visual detection becomes easy, but the drive structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual detectionVSAvoiddrive structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flag is constructed from simple, inexpensive flexible material that can be easily manufactured and attached. This low-cost indicator element provides effective visual signaling without requiring expensive components or complex assembly procedures, making the added complexity minimal and justified by the operational benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the flag extends outside the drive, then emptiness indication is clear, but it may interfere with drive mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemptiness indicationVSAvoidmechanical interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flag is designed with flexible material that allows it to dynamically adjust its position. When a disc is inserted, the flag naturally flexes inward to accommodate the disc's presence. When empty, it extends outward for clear visibility. This dynamic flexibility prevents mechanical interference while maintaining effective visual indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flag is constructed from flexible material that can bend and conform to different states. This flexibility allows the flag to extend outward for visibility when empty, yet retract or flex inward when a disc is present, preventing interference with loading mechanisms while maintaining its指示 function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8378838B1Optical drive emptiness indicator

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, an optical drive emptiness indicator including a base and a flag output partially extends outside of an optical drive into which it is loaded to provide a load status of the optical drive.