Rotatable Stopper Mechanism for Stable Electronic Device Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with openable covers require expensive components like motors for loading mechanisms, and maintaining easy opening in both vertical and horizontal postures is challenging due to differing gravity directions.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a rotatable member with a stopper portion and a damper member that allows the cover to be stably held closed and easily opened, using a spring and damper mechanism to facilitate smooth operation regardless of device posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a loading mechanism with motor is used to transport storage medium, then the storage medium can be automatically loaded, but the device cost increases due to expensive motor components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor component from the loading mechanism, extracting the expensive automated transport function and replacing it with a simpler structure that uses elastic force for cover opening and gravity-assisted positioning, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining essential functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cover opening mechanism uses elastic force from an elastic member to automatically open the cover when the storage medium is inserted, eliminating the need for motor-driven automation. The system serves itself by using the insertion action to trigger the elastic member, which then opens the cover without additional power consumption
2Ease of operation
If the cover is designed to open gently in vertical posture, then the cover opens smoothly when held upright, but the opening becomes difficult when the device is in horizontal posture due to gravity direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable member that can change its orientation dynamically. The rotatable member includes a stopper portion that rotates to different positions depending on the device posture, allowing the cover opening mechanism to adapt to both vertical and horizontal orientations by repositioning the stopper to work with gravity in either direction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the effective gravitational parameter by rotating the rotatable member to different angular positions. In vertical posture, the stopper is positioned to work with downward gravity; in horizontal posture, the rotatable member rotates to reposition the stopper so that gravity acts appropriately for smooth cover opening in the horizontal orientation
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stopper portion is positioned close to the rotation center of the rotatable member, then the cover is securely held closed, but the cover cannot be opened when the stopper abuts against the engaged portion
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper portion is positioned asymmetrically at a distance from the rotation center, creating an imbalance that provides both secure closed positioning through gravitational pull on the offset mass and the ability to rotate when sufficient force is applied. The asymmetric positioning creates a natural tendency to return to the closed position while allowing intentional opening
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 solution reduces the need for expensive motor components and ensures the cover can be opened gently and consistently in both vertical and horizontal orientations, enhancing user convenience and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member applying an elastic force against rotation of the rotatable member to the rotatable member
Implementation Method 2
a damper member that is supported so as to move between a first position and a second position when the posture of the electronic device changes. The first position is where the damper member is engaged with the movable portion to function as a resistance against the movement of the movable portion
Implementation Method 3
a direction of the gravity force exerted on the cover is different between the vertical posture and the horizontal direction of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A slide cover has a engaged portion formed thereon. A rotatable member includes a stopper portion which is abutted against the engaged portion so as to restrict a relative movement of the engaged portion of the slide cover when the slide cover is arranged at a closed position. The stopper portion is positioned away from a rotation center of the rotatable member, and the rotatable member rotates to allow the relative movement of the engaged portion when the stopper portion is pushed by the engaged portion. This makes it possible to increase an angle between an stopper surface formed on the stopper portion and a movement direction (right-left direction) of the engaged portion. As a result, the cover is stably held at the closed position.