Nested Card Connector Layout for Dual-Card Space Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Card connectors occupy a large plate area in terminal devices, restricting the development of lightweight and thin designs.

Innovation Solution

A card connector and card holder design that allows two cards to be disposed in a cascading manner on a card tray, reducing the internal space occupied by the card connector and holder, and enabling the installation of a Nano SIM card and a memory card without increasing the plate area, thus saving space for other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple card connectors are provided in terminal devices to meet functional requirements, then the functional requirements are satisfied, but the plate area occupied by card connectors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementVSAvoidplate area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested card tray structure where a second card tray is placed inside the first card tray. The first card tray accommodates a SIM card, while the second card tray (nested within the first) accommodates a memory card. This nesting arrangement allows multiple cards to be stored in a hierarchical manner, significantly reducing the overall plate area occupied by card connectors while maintaining the ability to meet multiple functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If card connectors occupy larger plate area to accommodate multiple cards, then multiple card functions are achieved, but space inside the terminal is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple card functionsVSAvoidspace inside terminal
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested card tray structure where a second card tray is placed inside the first card tray. The first card tray accommodates a SIM card, while the second card tray (nested within the first) accommodates a memory card. This nesting arrangement allows multiple cards to be stored in a hierarchical manner, significantly reducing the overall plate area occupied by card connectors while maintaining the ability to meet multiple functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional card connector designs are used, then existing card compatibility is maintained, but the plate area and internal space are excessively occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard compatibilityVSAvoidplate area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the first card tray to be compatible with both SIM cards and memory cards. The card tray structure incorporates universal features such as elastic components that can adapt to different card types, allowing a single tray design to serve multiple functions. This multi-functionality, combined with the nested structure, enables the system to maintain broad card compatibility while significantly reducing the plate area required compared to having separate dedicated trays for each card type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4213309B1Card connector, card holder, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4213309B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4213309B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4213309B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a card connector (100), a card holder (10), and a terminal device (1). The card connector includes a plurality of first terminals (110) and one or more second terminals (120). The plurality of first terminals are arranged to form a first card access area (115), the first card access area is used to install a first card (210), and the plurality of first terminals are configured to be electrically connected to the first card. The one or more second terminals are distributed on a periphery of the first card access area, the plurality of first terminals and the one or more second terminals jointly form a second card access area (125), the second card access area is used to install a second card (220), and the first terminals and the second terminals are all configured to be electrically connected to the second card.