Sliding Element Housing with Track and Stoppers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly process for sliding elements in electronic devices is inconvenient and time-consuming due to the need for adhesive tapes, which often leave residue requiring chemical removal, increasing assembly time and cost.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a housing with a track and stoppers to guide and secure the sliding element, allowing for interference-based assembly and preventing deviation, thereby simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive tape is used to fix the sliding element, then the sliding element is prevented from coming loose, but adhesive residue is left on the surface requiring chemical removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive residue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive tape entirely from the assembly process. Instead of using tape to fix the sliding element, the invention uses a mechanical stopper structure that physically prevents the sliding element from coming loose, thereby eliminating the harmful adhesive residue problem while maintaining fixing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical adhesive system (tape) with a mechanical constraint system (stopper). The stopper engages with the sliding element through mechanical interference fit, providing reliable fixation without any adhesive materials, thus substituting a mechanical solution for a chemical one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive tape and chemical removal processes are used, then the sliding element can be assembled, but assembly time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple components including the stopper structure that is integrated into the housing body. This segmentation allows the sliding element to be assembled independently and securely positioned without requiring subsequent tape application and chemical removal steps, streamlining the entire assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper structure provides self-aligning and self-positioning features that guide the sliding element into its correct position during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operator intervention to apply tape or perform chemical removal, significantly reducing assembly time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7375952B2Electronic device with a sliding element

Publication Date: 2008.05.20 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A track formed on a housing of an electronic device provides a space for a sliding element to slide. The housing includes a first stopper and a second stopper formed on a first side of the track for preventing the sliding element from deviating from the track.