Retractable Cable Assembly for Information Handling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cables used to connect information handling systems to portable devices are often separate components that can be easily misplaced or lost, disrupting communication between these devices.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system integrated with a retractable cable assembly that includes a connector end for coupling with portable devices, featuring a release mechanism to engage and disengage the connector end from the housing, allowing the cable to move from a retracted to an extended position for communication and then back for safe storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cable is used to connect information handling systems to portable devices, then communication between devices is enabled, but the cable can be easily misplaced or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cable directly into the information handling system housing, merging two previously separate components (cable and IHS) into one unified system. This eliminates the need for separate cable handling while maintaining communication functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable cable is nested within the housing of the information handling system, with the cable stored inside a receptacle when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the cable to be readily accessible when needed while being compactly stored when not needed, solving the cable management problem while ensuring communication readiness.
2Reliability
If a retractable cable is integrated into the housing, then cable loss is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within a receptacle that is integrated into the housing structure. This nesting approach allows the cable to be retained securely without requiring a completely separate external storage mechanism, thus preventing cable loss while minimizing the increase in device complexity through space-efficient integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable cable mechanism is designed to be self-contained, with the cable feeding directly into the connector without requiring external manipulation or separate storage components. This self-service design achieves cable retention while avoiding the complexity of additional external mechanisms.
3Strength
If the cable is made retractable, then cable damage is minimized through secure storage, but the ease of operation for cable access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable transitions from a static extended state to a dynamic retractable state, allowing it to be pulled out when needed and automatically or manually retracted when not in use. This dynamic capability protects the cable from damage during storage while maintaining ease of access during use, as the cable can be quickly deployed and retracted without complex manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable cable mechanism is designed to operate with minimal user intervention, where the cable can be easily pulled out for use and then automatically or simply retracted back into the housing. This self-service approach minimizes cable damage through secure storage while maintaining ease of operation during actual use.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system disposed within a housing may include a cable coupled to the information handling system. The cable may be configured to move from a retracted position substantially within the housing to an extended position wherein a portion of the cable is external to the housing. Further, a connector end of the cable may be configured to communicatively couple the information handling system to a portable device.