Communications Port Cover With Spring-Assisted Sealed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices with externally-exposed communications ports face contamination issues from water and dust, and existing port covers increase device complexity and cost while impeding operator access.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device design featuring a housing with an access door that is movably coupled to the housing, a latch for locking and unlocking, and a bias element that moves the access door from a closed to an intermediate position when unlocked, facilitating easy operator access while maintaining protection against contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is provided for the communication ports, then protection against contaminants is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is merged with the housing to form an integrated structure, where the access door is movably coupled to the housing rather than being a separate component. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the protective function when closed and accessible when opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover for the communication ports when closed, provides access to the ports when opened, and works with the latch and bias element to enable easy operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cover and access mechanisms, reducing device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is provided for the communication ports, then protection against contaminants is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access door and housing are designed as integrated components with the access door movably coupled to the housing, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration lowers manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective contamination protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias element provides automatic self-service functionality by urging the access door to the intermediate position when the latch is unlocked, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex opening mechanisms. This simple passive mechanism reduces manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the access door, then protection against contaminants is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bias element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the latch mechanism and the access door. When the latch is unlocked, the bias element automatically urges the access door to the intermediate position, providing a smooth transition that makes operation easy while maintaining secure protection when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door is designed to be movable between closed, intermediate, and fully open positions rather than being fixed. This dynamic design allows the door to transition smoothly when the latch is operated, making it easy to access the ports while maintaining effective sealing when closed.
4Ease of operation
If the access door is made fully open for access, then ease of operation is improved, but protection against contaminants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is designed to be movable between closed, intermediate, and fully open positions. The intermediate position allows partial access while maintaining some protection, and the door can be fully opened when complete access is needed. This dynamic design provides flexible protection that adapts to different access requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door mechanism is segmented into multiple positions (closed, intermediate, fully open) rather than being binary. This segmentation allows the door to provide different levels of access and protection as needed, with the intermediate position offering a compromise between ease of access and contamination protection.
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
The solution allows for simplified operator access to communication ports while maintaining effective sealing against contaminants, reducing device complexity and cost by using a rotatable access door mechanism with a bias element to transition from a closed to an intermediate position.
Implementation Method 1
a bias element configured to apply a force to the access door to move the access door from the closed position to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes: a housing having an exterior wall, the exterior wall defining a chamber; an access door movably coupled to the housing between a closed position enclosing the chamber, and an open position exposing the chamber to an exterior of the computing device; a latch movable between a locked position to retain the access door in the closed position, and an unlocked position to permit movement of the access door; and a bias element configured to apply a force to an interior of the access door to move the access door from the closed position to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions, in response to transition of the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position.