Movable Plug Receptacle Cover for Thin Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard plug receptacles for electronic devices are often thicker than the devices themselves, making it challenging to accommodate internal components such as displays and batteries, especially in thin devices that require space for media sound playback and microphone functionality.
Innovation Solution
A plug receptacle design featuring a receptacle housing with a passage and a movable cover that elevates to accommodate the plug, allowing the plug to extend through a second opening, thereby reducing the overall height and enabling thinner device designs while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard receptacle is used to accommodate a 3.5 mm audio connector, then the receptacle can receive and engage the plug, but the receptacle thickness exceeds 3.5-4 mm which is thicker than the electronic device itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the receptacle cover movable rather than fixed. The cover can elevate from a first position (covering the opening) to a second position (allowing plug insertion), enabling the receptacle to adapt its structure during operation. This dynamic mechanism allows the receptacle to maintain a thin profile when not in use while providing full engagement capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is segmented into multiple functional parts: a fixed receptacle housing and a movable cover. This segmentation allows the cover to be independently positioned - covering the opening when the plug is not in use (maintaining thin profile) and elevating when the plug needs to be inserted (providing engagement space). The segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the protective function from the engagement function in time and space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standard receptacle is used for audio connectors, then plug compatibility is maintained, but the receptacle takes up excessive space within the electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover creates a dynamic volume configuration. When the cover is in the first position, the receptacle volume is minimized to fit within the thin device profile. When the cover elevates to the second position, the volume temporarily expands to accommodate the plug during insertion and engagement, then returns to the minimized state afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by elevating the cover upward when a plug is inserted. This dimensional change allows the receptacle to accommodate the plug's height without increasing the device's overall thickness in the closed state. The cover moves along the vertical axis, creating engagement space only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug receptacle comprises a receptacle housing having a passage configured to receive at least a part of a plug of a plug connector, a front side having a first opening and a top side having a second, elongated opening that intersects the first opening, the passage opening to the front side via the first opening and to the top side via the second opening. The plug receptacle comprises at least one plug receptacle cover that is configured to move between a cover position and an elevated position. In the cover position, the at least one plug receptacle cover covers the second opening at least partially. In the elevated position, the at least one plug receptacle cover is elevated outwards along its entire length, so that the at least the part of the plug partially extends through the second opening.