Tray Detection Mechanism Preventing Coating Damage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tray detection structures in electronic devices are prone to damaging the insulating coating or anodizing coating on removable trays due to frequent mounting and demounting, leading to potential electric shock and unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A tray device with a detection structure that uses a conductive member with a restoring force, allowing the first and second terminals to remain electrically separated when the tray is mounted and connected when demounted, preventing power from being applied to the tray's metallic exterior during demounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a contact-type detection structure is used to detect tray insertion, then the tray mounting/demounting can be detected, but the insulating coating or anodizing coating on the tray may be damaged due to frequent contact with the detection terminal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray detection reliabilityVSAvoidcoating damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-contact detection terminal that detects tray insertion through electromagnetic coupling or capacitive sensing without physical contact. This intermediary detection method eliminates direct mechanical contact between the detection terminal and the tray, thereby preventing damage to the insulating coating or anodizing coating while maintaining reliable detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type detection system with a non-contact detection system using electromagnetic fields or capacitive sensing. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between the detection terminal and the tray, preventing coating damage while achieving reliable tray presence detection through field-based sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the tray contact-type detection structure is used, then the tray insertion can be detected, but power may leak through the metallic tray material causing electric shock danger and unnecessary power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray detection reliabilityVSAvoidpower leakage and electric shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field or capacitive field as an intermediary for detection, allowing the detection terminal to sense tray insertion without direct electrical contact. This intermediary field-based detection prevents power leakage through the metallic tray while maintaining detection reliability through non-contact sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical contact-based detection system with a non-contact electromagnetic or capacitive detection system. This substitution eliminates the direct electrical pathway that causes power leakage and electric shock risks, while achieving reliable detection through field-based sensing that does not require electrical contact with the conductive tray.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If the tray is made of metallic material for structural strength, then the tray can provide mechanical support, but it may cause power leakage and electric shock when in contact with detection terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray structural strengthVSAvoidpower leakage and electric shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical contact-based detection system with a non-contact electromagnetic or capacitive detection system. This allows the use of metallic tray materials for structural strength without the harmful effects of power leakage and electric shock, as the detection occurs through field coupling rather than direct electrical contact with the conductive metal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9985675B2Tray device and electronic device having the same

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device including a housing that encloses a space between opposing faces and has an opening in a side face of the housing, the opening including a hole portion. A tray is configured to be inserted into the hole during mounting of the tray and removed therefrom when the tray is demounted. The device further includes a first fixing structure disposed substantially parallel to a side face of the tray inside the hole, and configured to be at least partially rotated about an axis in a direction outwardly from the hole. Further, including two terminals vertically arranged inside the hole with the tray being interposed therebetween so the terminals do not contact the tray, and a control circuit electrically connected to at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein, when the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other, the control circuit is configured to detect demounting of the tray, and when the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically separated from each other, the control circuit is configured to detect mounting of the tray from the hole portion.