Movable Card Reader Mechanism for Compact Circuit Board Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card readers occupy a large area on electronic device circuit boards, hindering the arrangement of other electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A card reader with a movable card insertion mechanism, featuring an electrical connection socket, guiding members, guiding rails, and a cover, which allows for sliding and pivoting components to minimize space usage while maintaining effective card guidance and electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guiding channel is formed between the guiding element and the circuit board to guide the electronic card, then the card insertion guidance is ensured, but the card reader occupies a large area on the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guiding rail movable rather than fixed. The guiding rail can slide along the guiding slot between a first position (where it guides the card connector) and a second position (where it retracts). This dynamic movement allows the guiding structure to occupy minimal space on the circuit board while still providing effective card insertion guidance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the guiding rail inside the case body when not in use. The guiding rail is received within the case body structure, and only extends outward when a card is being inserted. This nested arrangement allows the guiding function to be integrated into the existing case structure without requiring additional dedicated space on the circuit board.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical connection socket is disposed at a distance from the insertion hole to form the guiding channel, then the card guidance function is achieved, but the card reader occupies more area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the guiding rail movable along the guiding slot, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When a card is inserted, the guiding rail slides to the first position to provide guidance. When no card is present, it retracts to the second position, minimizing the occupied area. This dynamic positioning eliminates the need to maintain a fixed distance between the socket and insertion hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movement along the guiding slot dimension, allowing the guiding rail to extend and retract. This adds a temporal dimension to the space occupation - the guiding structure occupies space only when needed for card insertion, rather than permanently occupying space throughout operation.
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 solution reduces the space occupied by the card reader on the circuit board while ensuring reliable electrical connection and guidance of the electronic card, maintaining the functionality of the guiding channel without increasing the card reader's footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding portion is disposed in the guiding slot in a slidable manner to slide to-and-fro along the guiding direction towards the insertion hole
Implementation Method 2
The cover is pivoted to the guiding rail, and for closing the insertion hole
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader is disposed in a case body of an electronic device for connecting an electronic card. The card reader includes an electrical connection socket, at least one guiding member, at least one guiding rail and a cover. The electrical connection socket is disposed in the case body for inserting an electrical connector of the electronic card thereinto. The guiding member is disposed in the case body and provides a guiding slot extending along a guiding direction. The guiding direction is parallel to a direction in which the electrical connector is inserted into the electrical connection socket. The guiding rail includes a sliding portion sliding in the guiding slot and a lower support portion extending from the sliding portion for guiding the electronic card to pass through the insertion hole of the case body. The cover is pivoted to the guiding rail and for closing the insertion hole.