PCMCIA Interface Device Housing with Segmented Metal Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interface devices for conditional access modules are costly and inefficient due to their tamperproof design, which makes them difficult to manufacture and repair, and they are not suitable for standard-sized chip cards and PCMCIA slots.
Innovation Solution
The interface device features a housing with a top cover and bottom cover that can be non-destructively detached and reassembled, using metal tabs for interlocking, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and is designed to accommodate standard credit card-sized chip cards while fitting within PCMCIA standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is made tamperproof with welded metal plates, then security and tamper resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate components (base plate and cover plate) that can be assembled and disassembled independently. The cover plate is separable from the base plate, allowing non-destructive disassembly for repair and updating while maintaining security during normal operation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both tamper resistance and manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing transitions from a static welded structure to a dynamic assembly with movable parts. The cover plate can be detached and reattached, providing adaptability for repair and maintenance while maintaining security during use. This dynamic design allows the housing to serve multiple functions across different operational states.
2Reliability
If the housing is permanently sealed, then security is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a base plate and a separable cover plate. The cover plate can be non-destructively removed to access internal components for repair and updating, then reattached to restore security. This segmentation enables both security during operation and ease of repair during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for non-destructive disassembly and reassembly of the cover plate, enabling repair and updating of internal components without destroying the housing structure. The cover plate is recovered and reattached after maintenance, maintaining both security and repairability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the housing uses plastic material for latch mechanism, then ease of manufacture is improved, but mechanical stability and temperature resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing uses metal plates (aluminum or stainless steel) for both the base plate and cover plate, providing superior mechanical stability and temperature resistance compared to plastic. The metal construction maintains ease of manufacture through standardized metalworking processes while significantly improving structural properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is designed for PCMCIA slot with full-length latch, then adaptability to PCMCIA standards is improved, but suitability for chip card insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is segmented with tabs positioned only at the ends, creating openings along the edges. This segmentation allows chip cards to be inserted through the openings while maintaining PCMCIA slot compatibility, resolving the contradiction between full-length latch design and chip card accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is localized to specific end regions rather than spanning the full length. The tabs are positioned at the ends to provide structural support and PCMCIA compatibility, while leaving the intermediate regions open for chip card insertion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction.
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~4d
AI summary
The present invention provides method for assembling a housing for a conditional access module complying with a PCMCIA Standard. The housing comprises a top cover and a bottom cover and the housing is assembled by sliding a set of tabs on the top cover into a set of cooperating tabs in the bottom cover.