Movable Plate Housing for Easy Recording Medium Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The downsizing of portable recording media has made it inconvenient for users to detach them from cases due to the need to insert fingers between the media and the case, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The design of an accommodating case with a movable plate portion that can be easily inclined to allow for easy detachment of the recording medium, featuring elastic engagement portions that can be deformed to release the media, and a support plate with step portions to secure the media in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the case is designed with a fixed inner surface to protect the recording medium, then the protection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily detach the downsized recording medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner surface movable instead of fixed. The movable plate portion can be pushed by a finger to move in the detachment direction, dynamically changing from a static protective surface to an active assistance mechanism that reduces the force needed for detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable plate portion acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the recording medium. Instead of the finger directly acting on the small recording medium, the movable plate amplifies this action by moving and pushing the medium, facilitating easier detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the recording medium is downsized to improve portability, then the compactness is improved, but the ease of operation worsens because there is insufficient space for finger insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of recording mediumVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable plate serves as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies the user's input force. By pushing the movable plate, the user indirectly acts on the recording medium with greater force, compensating for the lack of direct finger access to the downsized medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from direct linear insertion in the thickness direction to an alternative approach using the movable plate's motion. The movable plate moves in the detachment direction and pushes the medium from behind, utilizing a different dimensional approach to achieve detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the case structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the functionality deteriorates because there is no mechanism to assist detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic element (movable plate) into an otherwise simple case structure. This single movable component provides the detachment assistance function without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable plate changes the physical state or parameter of the inner surface from fixed to movable. This parameter change enables the detachment assistance function using a simple structural modification rather than a complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables easy and secure detachment of the recording medium while protecting it, reducing the force required for removal and enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the movable plate portion 30 can elastically move to be recessed toward the outside of the accommodating case 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

engagement portions (22R, 22L) which are able to engage with the recording medium (90)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2669216B1Housing case for portable recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2669216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2669216B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2669216B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An accommodating case from which a user can easily detach a recording medium is provided. An accommodating case includes an inner surface thereof with a medium disposition area that is an area to dispose the recording medium. In addition, the accommodating case includes an engagement plate portion for engaging with edges of the recording medium so that the recording medium disposed in the medium disposition area is prevented from separating from the inner surface thereof. Furthermore, the accommodating case includes a movable plate portion defining a part of the inner surface thereof. The movable plate portion is movable relative the other portion of the inner surface of the accommodating case to be recessed toward the outside of the accommodating case. The movable plate portion is located over the medium disposition area and an outside area of the medium disposition area.