Storage Tray Socket With Integrated Detection for Compact Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of storage medium trays in electronic devices poses challenges for downsizing due to mechanical structures like push-pull or pivoting levers, which occupy space and hinder compact design.
Innovation Solution
A socket design that integrates tray detection structures within the existing components, allowing for tray insertion direction and detection terminal operation to differ, preventing damage and ensuring reliable tray detection by elastic displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tray detection components are used, then tray detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tray detection structure with the existing socket components. The detection terminal is integrated into the socket body, eliminating the need for separate detection components. This merging approach maintains detection reliability while reducing overall device complexity and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket components are designed to serve multiple functions: the socket body both receives the tray and contains the detection terminal for tray detection. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structure to perform both mechanical support and detection functions, reducing the need for additional separate components.
2Reliability
If mechanical structures like push-pull or pivoting levers are used for tray mounting, then tray securement is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical structures (push-pull mechanisms, pivoting levers) from the tray mounting system. Instead, it uses a simplified socket-receiving structure where the tray is directly received and secured by the socket body, maintaining securement reliability while significantly reducing space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical mounting structures with a simpler receiving space design. The tray is secured through the geometric configuration of the receiving space and direct contact surfaces, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components like springs, levers, or cam mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If detection terminal and tray insertion direction are aligned, then detection sensitivity is improved, but damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation relationship between the detection terminal and tray insertion direction. Instead of aligning them in the same dimension (which would increase damage risk), the detection terminal is positioned such that its operation direction is perpendicular or at an angle to the tray insertion direction, reducing mechanical stress and damage risk while maintaining detection sensitivity through proper positioning.
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
Enables efficient space utilization and cost reduction by eliminating separate tray detection components, preventing damage, and ensuring accurate tray detection without mechanical structures.
Implementation Method 1
By elastically displacing at least one detection structure when the tray is inserted, a state of electrical contact can be modified, enabling a detection of whether a tray is present in the receiving space or not
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a socket for mounting a storage medium tray comprises a receiving space receiving a tray, a lower shell providing a bottom surface of the receiving space, an upper shell coupled to the lower shell to face the lower shell to provide at least some of sidewalls of the receiving space and an upper surface of the receiving space, a first detection terminal disposed between the bottom surface and the upper surface and at least partially extending along a first direction in which the tray is inserted into the receiving space, and a second detection terminal provided in a space between the lower shell and the upper shell and configured to electrically contact the first detection terminal. In an embodiment, as the tray moves along the first direction in the receiving space, the first detection terminal may be configured to move or deform in a second direction crossing the first direction while slidingly contacting the tray. Other various embodiments are possible.