Movable Tray Slot Assembly for Stable Expansion Card Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slot assemblies in electronic devices face challenges in securely engaging and retaining expansion cards, such as memory cards or SIM cards, which can lead to unstable electrical connections and potential damage to the connection ports during insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A slot assembly design featuring a movable tray with a fastener system that transitions between a released and fixed position, utilizing elastic members and magnetic components to securely engage and disengage the workpiece, ensuring stable electrical connections and easy insertion/removal without additional operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fixed tray design is used, then the structure is simple, but the connection stability and security of expansion cards deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed to be movable between a removed position (close to opening end) and an inserted position (away from opening end), allowing dynamic adjustment of the tray's location. This dynamic capability enables the tray to securely hold expansion cards while maintaining simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is divided into two independent engaging portions: a first engaging portion on the tray and a second engaging portion on the base. This segmentation allows each portion to independently engage with corresponding features on the expansion card and base, respectively, thereby enhancing connection stability without requiring a complex integrated fastening mechanism.
2Reliability
If a movable tray with fastener system is used, then the connection stability improves, but the ease of operation for insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is pre-positioned close to the opening end at the removed position, and the fastener's second engaging portion is pre-configured to engage with the base when the tray moves to the inserted position. This preliminary arrangement of components allows the expansion card to be easily inserted and secured without requiring additional manual operations, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the tray's position. When the tray moves to the inserted position, the fastener automatically secures the expansion card; when removed, it automatically releases. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional user actions, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring stable connections.
3Reliability
If the tray is positioned away from the opening end, then the connection stability improves, but the ease of access for insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray's ability to dynamically move between close and far positions from the opening end allows it to provide both easy access (when close) and stable connection (when far). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the tray and the base, enabling the tray to be positioned away from the opening end while still maintaining easy access. The fastener's engaging portions facilitate secure connection at the inserted position while allowing straightforward removal, thus mediating between stability and accessibility requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A slot assembly includes a base, a tray and a fastener. The base has an accommodating space having an opening end. The tray is movably located in the accommodating space. The tray has a bearing surface and is movable between a removed position and an inserted position. The tray is moved from the removed position to the inserted position by being pushed by a workpiece. The fastener is movably disposed on the tray. When the tray is at the removed position, the fastener is at a released position, and a second engaging portion of the fastener is located away from the bearing surface and detached from the first engaging portion. When the tray is at the inserted position, the fastener is at a fixed position, and the second engaging portion of the fastener is located close to the bearing surface and fixed to the first engaging portion.