Retractable USB Connector with Rotary Cam Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard USB connectors in data storage devices are vulnerable to damage from exposure and loss of protective caps, which compromises their durability and portability.
Innovation Solution
A data storage apparatus with a rotary driving mechanism that allows the USB connector to be safely protruded and retracted using a cam and steering unit, eliminating the need for a protective cap and maintaining a sleek design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cap is used to cover the USB connector, then the USB connector is protected from damage, but the cap may be lost during usage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is extracted and eliminated from the design. Instead of using a separate cap that can be lost, the USB connector itself is made retractable into the housing, integrating the protection function directly into the connector mechanism rather than requiring a separate protective component.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB connector is designed to be dynamically movable between protruded and retracted positions. A button mechanism allows the connector to be pushed in and out, enabling the user to expose the connector only when needed for connection, and retract it when not in use to prevent damage and loss.
2Reliability
If the USB connector is made retractable with a button mechanism, then the connector can be protected when not in use, but the button mechanism adds complexity to the device
Solution Approach 1:
The button mechanism is merged with the housing structure. The button is integrally formed with or firmly attached to the housing, and the slot for button movement is directly formed in the housing, combining multiple components into a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The button mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the protrusion and retraction of the USB connector, and its slot provides a structural guide for the connector's movement. The housing simultaneously provides structural support, contains the mechanism, and guides the button's linear movement.
3Ease of operation
If the USB connector protrudes out of the housing, then the connector is accessible for connection, but the connector becomes vulnerable to damage from exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The USB connector is designed to be dynamically movable between protruded and retracted positions. A button mechanism allows the connector to be pushed in and out, enabling the user to expose the connector only when needed for connection, and retract it when not in use to prevent damage and loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is retracted into the housing in advance when not in use, proactively preventing exposure to harmful factors such as dampness, static electricity, and physical damage before they can occur. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for reactive cap placement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a data storage apparatus, including a memory module, a USB connector connected with the memory module, a housing for accommodating the memory module, a movable carriage for holding the memory module and the USB connector, and a rotary driving mechanism for transmitting a rotary motion into a linear motion for driving the USB connector.