Reversible Monorail Connector for Flexible Component Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern portable electronic devices face challenges in optimally locating user interface components such as displays, loudspeakers, and microphones due to increased functionality, which can lead to sub-optimal performance and limited flexibility in feature configuration.
Innovation Solution
A system with a monorail mechanical connector having electrical connectors at each end, allowing an electronic device accessory to be reversibly connected, enabling the placement of loudspeakers and other components on either the front or rear side of the device, thereby enhancing system functionality and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If user interface components are fixed in specific locations to simplify device design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and optimal performance in different conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The monorail connector is designed with identical connectors at both ends, allowing it to serve multiple functions: connecting attachments in different orientations (front-facing or rear-facing), enabling reversible attachment, and supporting various attachment types. This universal design resolves the contradiction by providing placement flexibility without requiring multiple specialized connector designs.
Solution Approach 2:
While the connector system itself is symmetric, the attachment housing is designed asymmetrically with the display on the front major face and camera on the rear major face. This asymmetric attachment design combined with the symmetric monorail allows the same attachment to be installed in different orientations to achieve optimal component placement, resolving the flexibility-complexity contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connector types are used to enable reversible attachment and optimal component placement, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monorail connector uses identical connectors at both ends, allowing a single connector design to fulfill multiple functions: enabling front-facing attachment, rear-facing attachment, and reversible connection. This eliminates the need for multiple different connector types while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment can be installed in reverse orientation with the same monorail connector, allowing the display and camera to face different directions. This inversion capability provides configuration flexibility without requiring additional connector variants.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a device housing. A monorail having a monorail body defining a first end and a second end separated from the first end along a major axis of the monorail body is mechanically coupled to a minor face of the device housing by a bridge member. A first electrical connector is positioned at the first end of the monorail body, while a second electrical connector positioned at the second end of the monorail body. The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are of the same type. An attachment having a housing defining a monorail receiver with an aperture at a first end and a bounding wall at a second end includes an electrical connector situated within the monorail receiver at the bounding wall. The attachment can be coupled in two configurations to the monorail.