SIM Tray Ejection Mechanism with Biasing Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with removable SIM trays face challenges in securely retaining the SIM tray during normal use while allowing easy ejection without being cumbersome, and in minimizing noise and wear from mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design incorporating a SIM tray ejection mechanism with a tray ejector arm, biasing members such as conical springs, and a retaining mechanism that uses a push rod and ejector plug to facilitate easy ejection while maintaining the SIM tray in a seated position, utilizing biasing forces to prevent unwanted motion and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a SIM tray retaining mechanism is used to securely retain the SIM tray during normal use, then the retention reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retaining mechanism and ejection mechanism into a single integrated assembly where the tray ejector arm serves dual purposes: retaining the SIM tray in the seated position through frictional contact and enabling ejection when actuated. This merging reduces the number of separate mechanical components while maintaining both retention reliability and ejection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically maintains frictional contact between the tray ejector arm and SIM tray, creating a self-regulating retention system that requires no additional actuators or control mechanisms. The spring-loaded design ensures continuous light pressure is applied, securing the tray without adding complex control systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a biasing member is used to maintain component contact and increase frictional forces, then noise is reduced and wear is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member pre-applies frictional force between the tray ejector arm and SIM tray, creating a cushioning effect that prevents unwanted motion and reduces impact noise during normal operation. This prior cushioning minimizes wear on contact surfaces by maintaining consistent light pressure, eliminating the need for additional damping or noise-reduction components.
3Ease of operation
If a tray ejector arm with biasing force is used to enable easy ejection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The tray ejector arm is designed as a movable, spring-loaded component that dynamically adjusts its position and contact pressure with the SIM tray. The biasing member enables the arm to automatically engage and disengage from the tray, providing easy ejection through simple user insertion of an ejector tool without requiring complex multi-stage actuation mechanisms.
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 ensures secure retention of the SIM tray during normal use, easy ejection with minimal user effort, and reduces noise and wear by maintaining component contact and increasing frictional forces, enhancing the device's operational silence and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the tray ejector arm against the SIM tray when the SIM tray is in the seated position. The biasing member may be a conical spring.
Implementation Method 2
reduces noise and wear by maintaining component contact and increasing frictional forces
Implementation Method 3
The biasing member may be an elastomer member.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a housing member defining at least a portion of a side surface of the portable electronic device, a subscriber identity module (SIM) tray extending through a hole defined through the housing member and movable between a seated position and an at least partially ejected position, a tray ejector arm configured to at least partially eject the SIM tray from the portable electronic device in response to a user actuation, and a biasing member configured to bias the tray ejector arm against the SIM tray when the SIM tray is in the seated position.