Removable Electronic Module Housing with Hall Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in providing a structure for removably mounting electronic modules with power supply capabilities to wearable articles, particularly in efficiently connecting and retaining electronic components for electrically powered features like light emitting devices.

Innovation Solution

A housing system with a chamber and interface for removably inserting an electronic module, featuring a magnet sensor for secure connection, power supply, and conductive leads to power electrically powered components, ensuring safe and effective power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a removable electronic module is mounted on a wearable article, then the adaptability and versatility of the wearable article is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for connection interfaces and retention mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to mount removable electronic moduleVSAvoidstructure for connection and retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate components: a wearable article and a removable electronic module. The electronic module can be independently attached or detached from the wearable article, allowing the system to be segmented into functional units that can be configured based on user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection interface is designed to be universal, accommodating different electronic modules with the same mounting mechanism. The housing structure with chamber and interface can work with various module types, making the wearable article adaptable to multiple functions without requiring different attachment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If electrical contacts are exposed for power connection, then the ease of operation for powering the device is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to risk of user contact with active terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection for power supplyVSAvoiduser contact with active terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic sensor detects the approach of the electronic module before physical contact is made. The system preliminarily identifies the presence of the module via magnetic field detection, allowing the system to prepare for connection while maintaining safety by keeping electrical contacts inactive until the module is properly positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic sensor provides feedback about the position and presence of the electronic module. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor the connection status continuously and activate electrical contacts only when the module is correctly seated, preventing user contact with active terminals during the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a magnet sensor mechanism is used for secure connection detection, then the reliability of module retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure connection detectionVSAvoidmagnet sensor mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic sensor system replaces complex mechanical switches or physical contact-based detection mechanisms. By using magnetic field sensing, the system achieves reliable connection detection without requiring mechanical movement or complex contact arrangements, simplifying the overall mechanism while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables secure, efficient, and safe mounting of electronic modules on wearable articles, providing reliable power to integrated components while preventing user contact with active terminals.

Implementation Method 1

The electronic module includes a sensor configured to sense the magnet when the electronic module is received in the chamber, and the electronic module is configured to deactivate the connector when the sensor does not sense the magnet and to activate the connector when the sensor does sense the magnet. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230389627A1Wearable Article with Removable Module

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 NIKE INC

AI summary

A system includes an electronic module containing an electronic component and a connector in communication with the electronic component, and a housing defining a chamber and having an opening providing access to the chamber to receive the electronic module. The housing has an interface for removable electronic connection to the connector of the module when the module is received in the chamber, and the housing further has a magnet connected to the housing. The module includes a sensor configured to sense the magnet when the module is received in the chamber, and the module is configured to deactivate the connector when the sensor does not sense the magnet and to activate the connector when the sensor does sense the magnet. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor and/or the connector may be configured for connection to a USB port in various configurations.