Hinged I/O Connector Cover for Misalignment-Proof Cable Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input/output connectors are prone to damage when a cable terminal is inserted in the wrong direction or misaligned.
Innovation Solution
An input/output connector design featuring a cover that is hinged to the housing, an elastic body, and an insertion hole with adjustable size, preventing incorrect insertion by rotating the cover to accommodate the cable terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable terminal is inserted in the wrong direction or misaligned, then the connector structure remains simple and open, but the connector is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is positioned in advance to cover the insertion hole, preventing incorrect insertion before it occurs. The hinged cover structure is pre-configured to rotate and block the hole when needed, acting as a preventive measure rather than a reactive one.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body acts as an intermediary between the cover and the housing, providing the necessary force to rotate the cover and block the insertion hole. This intermediary mechanism enables the cover to respond dynamically to insertion attempts without direct mechanical linkage to the housing.
2Reliability
If the insertion hole size is fixed, then the connector structure is simple, but incorrect insertion cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole's effective size is made dynamic through the rotatable cover. When the cover rotates, it changes the opening size of the insertion hole, allowing it to adapt between a blocked state (preventing incorrect insertion) and an open state (allowing correct insertion).
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the insertion hole (its effective opening size) is changed by rotating the cover. This parameter change allows the system to transition between different functional states: blocking incorrect insertions while permitting correct ones.
3Reliability
If the cover is fixed to the housing, then the structure is simple, but the cover cannot rotate to block the insertion hole
Solution Approach 1:
The cover connection is made dynamic through the hinged structure. Instead of being fixed, the cover can rotate around the hinge axis, enabling it to transition between covering and exposing the insertion hole based on insertion attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body serves as an intermediary that provides the rotational force to the cover. This intermediary mechanism allows the cover to rotate without direct mechanical connection to the housing, enabling the blocking function while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
Prevents damage to the connector by blocking incorrect insertion, ensuring proper alignment and connection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body connected to the housing and the cover
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic device and an input/output connector are disclosed. The device may include the input/output connector, which may include a housing including an opening, a cover that covers at least a portion of the opening, the cover connected to the housing by a hinge, and forming an external appearance of the electronic device together with the housing, an elastic body connected to the housing and the cover, and an insertion hole formed by the housing and the cover, into which a cable terminal is insertable for connection with an external device, wherein a size of the insertion hole is changeable according to the rotation of the cover.