Shape Memory Alloy Unlocking Mechanism for Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unlocking mechanisms for mobile terminals, such as button-based and motor-driven systems, require significant space and complexity, hindering miniaturization and simplicity in design, especially in wearable devices like smart bands and mobile phones.
Innovation Solution
An unlocking apparatus utilizing a shape memory alloy strip powered by a circuit board, which deforms to drive a snap-on structure out of a card slot, simplifying the unlocking mechanism and enabling miniaturization by eliminating the need for physical buttons and motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a button-based unlocking structure is used, then the unlocking mechanism is simple, but the device requires more space and has more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical button-based unlocking system with a motor-driven system. The motor converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, eliminating the need for physical buttons, springs, and sliding blocks. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components while providing controlled unlocking motion through the motor's rotational or linear movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple functions: it provides the unlocking force, controls the unlocking timing, and can be integrated with the existing power and control systems of the mobile terminal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated unlocking components, thereby reducing overall space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a motor is used to drive the unlocking apparatus, then physical buttons are eliminated, but the motor requires more space than a button structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the motor into the existing card slot assembly structure. The motor is positioned within the card slot housing or adjacent cavities, utilizing otherwise wasted space. The motor's shaft or output mechanism is directly coupled to the card slot's moving components, eliminating the need for separate transmission mechanisms and reducing overall space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a linear motor or a rotary motor with a conversion mechanism that operates in the thickness direction of the card slot rather than requiring lateral space. This dimensional reorientation allows the motor to be placed in the Z-direction (thickness) rather than consuming X-Y plane space, effectively utilizing the device's thickness dimension for motor placement.
3Ease of operation
If touch control or sound control is used to trigger the motor, then unlocking can be performed without physical contact, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing touch screen controller and sound processing circuits that are already present in modern mobile terminals for other functions. The same touch control hardware and software frameworks used for screen interaction are repurposed to detect and trigger the unlocking gesture. Similarly, existing microphone and audio processing circuits are used for sound-based unlocking, eliminating the need for dedicated control hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's own existing sensors and processing capabilities to perform the unlocking function. The touch screen controller automatically detects touch gestures and the audio processor automatically analyzes sound inputs, with the operating system's existing event handling mechanisms triggering the motor control. This self-service approach avoids adding separate control systems while enabling contactless operation.
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
The solution allows for easier unlocking with reduced component complexity, facilitating the miniaturization of mobile terminals and eliminating the need for large space allocations, while enabling unlocking through controlled signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the shape memory alloy strip deforms, so that the snap-on structure is driven to move and to be unbuckled from a card slot
Data Source
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AI summary
An unlocking apparatus of a mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal are provided. The unlocking apparatus includes a circuit board, a snap-on structure, and a shape memory alloy strip. The circuit board is configured to supply power to the shape memory alloy strip, the snap-on structure is fixedly connected to the shape memory alloy strip, and after being powered on, the shape memory alloy strip deforms, so that the snap-on structure is driven to move and to be unbuckled from a card slot of a locked component. In the foregoing structure, components for driving unlocking are merely the shape memory alloy strip and the circuit board supplying power to the shape memory alloy strip, greatly simplifying the entire unlocking structure. In addition, when the foregoing structure is used for unlocking, only a signal for transmitting a current to the circuit board needs to be controlled, facilitating the unlocking. Moreover, usage of the foregoing structure facilitates miniaturization of the entire mobile terminal.