Rotating Accessory Contact Spacing to Prevent Terminal Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods of signal transmission between electronic apparatus and detachable accessories often result in non-corresponding terminals contacting each other, leading to malfunctions or terminal abrasion during rotation, as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-101656.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an engagement portion and a plurality of contacts or terminals arranged such that the interval angle between adjacent contacts or terminals is larger than the rotational angle of the accessory, preventing non-corresponding contacts from engaging during rotation, ensuring stable connection and preventing malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic apparatus and accessory are rotated relative to each other to engage holding tabs, then the accessory can be securely held in place, but non-corresponding terminals may contact each other causing malfunction or terminal abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones: holding tabs for mechanical engagement and contacts for electrical connection. The holding tabs are positioned to engage with corresponding tabs on the accessory, while contacts are arranged in a circular pattern with specific spacing. This spatial separation and functional differentiation ensures that mechanical engagement does not cause unwanted electrical contact between non-corresponding terminals, resolving the contradiction between secure holding and preventing terminal malfunction.
2Ease of operation
If terminals are arranged in a circular pattern to enable rotation, then the accessory can be rotated for engagement, but non-corresponding terminals are more likely to contact during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-arranging the circular pattern of contacts with specific interval angles that are larger than the rotational angle of the accessory. This preliminary configuration ensures that during rotation, only corresponding terminals make contact, while non-corresponding terminals are spaced apart to avoid contact. The holding tabs are also preliminarily positioned to guide the rotation process, ensuring accurate alignment before electrical connection is established.
3Device complexity
If the interval angle between contacts is small to reduce the number of components, then the device is more compact, but non-corresponding terminals may contact during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the interval angle between adjacent contacts. The interval angle is specifically designed to be larger than the rotational angle of the accessory, which prevents non-corresponding terminals from contacting during rotation. This parameter optimization balances the need for a compact design with the requirement to prevent unwanted electrical contact, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory that is attached to and detachable from an attachment portion provided to an electronic apparatus includes an engagement portion configured to engage the accessory with the attachment portion to hold the accessory in a case where the accessory disposed at a first position relative to the attachment portion is rotated to a second position in a first direction, and a plurality of contacts arranged in the first direction and connectable to corresponding terminals among a plurality of terminals arranged in the first direction and provided to the attachment portion at the second position. An interval angle between adjacent contacts among the plurality of contacts is larger than a rotational angle of the accessory from the first position to the second position.