Rotating Protective Cover Hook Layout for Compact Card Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with protective covers for memory cards or SIM cards often unintentionally open due to elastic deformation of hooks, leading to increased device size to prevent accidental opening.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a protective cover with elastically deformable hooks facing parallel to the rotation center line, coupled with hook receivers on the case, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement without increasing the device's size, and optionally using additional hooks or a rubber connecting member for enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the depth of engagement between hooks is deepened to prevent unintentional opening, then the protective cover becomes more secure, but the device size increases in the left-to-right direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of protective cover engagementVSAvoiddevice size in left-to-right direction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the hook engagement from perpendicular to parallel with the rotation center line. This dimensional reorientation allows the hooks to engage in a direction that does not increase the left-to-right device footprint, while still providing sufficient engagement depth to prevent unintentional opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The hook configuration is designed with asymmetric positioning where hooks are located at specific positions on the protective cover and correspond to hook receivers on the case. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the engagement geometry to prevent accidental opening without requiring increased device dimensions in the left-to-right direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the space between hooks and inner upper end of lower case is widened to accommodate elastic deformation, then the protective cover can open easily, but the electronic device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of protective cover openingVSAvoiddevice size in left-to-right direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By reorienting the hook engagement direction to be parallel with the rotation center line rather than perpendicular, the patent eliminates the need for increased left-to-right space to accommodate elastic deformation. The hooks can still elastically deform in the vertical direction while maintaining compact device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 prevents unintentional opening of the protective cover while maintaining a compact device size, eliminating the need for complex lock mechanisms and ensuring reliable card or battery insertion/removal.

Implementation Method 1

the protective cover having an elastically deformable hook facing a direction parallel to the rotation center line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8995135B2Electronic device and a casing used therefor

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 NEC CORP

AI summary

In an electronic device in which a component connecting portion is mounted inside a case (1, 2), a protective cover (5) is mounted to the case to be rotatable and covers the component connecting portion. The protective cover has elastically deformable hooks (52) facing a direction (A1) parallel to a rotation center line thereof. On the other hand, the case has hook receivers (11a) engageable with and disengageable from the hooks. The protective cover may be removable from the case or may be loosely connected thereto.