Portable Terminal With Removable Wireless Module Slot

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to create a portable terminal that can reduce costs without increasing size, while maintaining the performance of wireless communication modules, which is difficult due to the integration of external wireless communication devices like LTE and 3G devices.

Innovation Solution

A portable terminal design with a slot on its side surface for a wireless communication module, featuring a module base with an antenna and a housing baffle for support, allowing the module to be inserted without increasing the terminal's size, and using a laser direct structuring antenna to minimize space, along with elastic connections for electrical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external wireless communication devices (LTE, 3G) are integrated into the portable terminal, then wireless communication functionality is improved, but the terminal size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication functionalityVSAvoidterminal size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication module is separated from the main terminal body and placed in an external slot. This segmentation allows the terminal to have wireless communication capability through the removable module without permanently increasing the terminal's internal volume, resolving the contradiction between functionality and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module is designed to be inserted into a slot on the terminal body, creating a nested configuration where the module fits within the terminal's external dimensions. This allows the terminal to maintain its compact size while accommodating the additional wireless communication functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If wireless communication modules are integrated into the portable terminal, then communication performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication module is designed to be removable and replaceable, allowing users to upgrade or change modules based on needs. This dynamic configuration enables manufacturers to offer base models without expensive wireless modules, reducing initial manufacturing costs while allowing performance upgrades through user-selected modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal slot is designed to accommodate different types of wireless communication modules (LTE, 3G, etc.), making the slot universal. This allows the terminal body to be manufactured once without integrated wireless functionality, then paired with different modules as needed, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining communication performance options.

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

3Length of moving object

If the terminal thickness is reduced, then portability is improved, but space for wireless communication components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal thicknessVSAvoidspace for wireless components
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication components are extracted from the terminal's internal structure and placed in an external removable module. This extraction allows the terminal body to be made thinner without sacrificing wireless communication capability, as the components reside in the external module rather than consuming internal thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design allows for a cost-effective and compact portable terminal with improved transceiving performance, enabling the creation of thinner or ultra-thin devices by utilizing the available space efficiently and reducing the module's size through the use of a removable wireless communication module.

Implementation Method 1

The module base is provided at a side thereof with a module antenna electrically connected to the module circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using a laser direct structuring antenna to minimize space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser focusing: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2675240B1Portable terminal and wireless module
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP2675240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2675240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2675240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable terminal and a wireless module are disclosed. The portable terminal comprises a terminal body and a wireless module. The terminal body comprises a front surface and a back surface opposite to each other, side surfaces connected to the front surface and the back surface, and a terminal circuit board disposed in a space defined by the front surface, the back surface and the side surfaces together; and a display region is disposed on the front surface. The terminal body is provided on one of the side surfaces thereof with a slot for the wireless module to be inserted therein. Disposed on a module circuit board of the wireless module is an SIM card that is electrically connected to the module circuit board. In this way, the present disclosure can selectively reduce the cost of the portable terminal and substantially not increase the size of the portable terminal.