Two-Part Jack Socket with Flexible Casing for Thin Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio jacks in portable electronic devices contribute significantly to the thickness of these devices, making them less compact and more prone to foreign object interference, which is undesirable for handheld devices.
Innovation Solution
A two-part jack socket design featuring a first part with a contact surface and a moveable second part that defines a cavity, which transitions from a retracted state to an expanded state upon jack plug insertion, allowing for a thinner device profile and enhanced protection against foreign objects, utilizing a flexible casing that biases the jack socket into a retracted position and secures the plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional audio jack is used in portable electronic devices, then audio connection function is provided, but the device thickness increases and foreign object interference becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The jack socket is designed to dynamically change its state between retracted and extended positions. The flexible casing allows the jack to extend when a plug is inserted and retract when no plug is present, optimizing both protection and functionality while minimizing exposed vulnerability to foreign objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible casing provides preliminary protection by maintaining the jack in a retracted position that prevents foreign objects from entering the jack cavity. This preliminary protective action is active before any harmful interference can occur, only allowing extension when a legitimate plug is detected.
2Length of stationary object
If the jack socket is kept in a retracted position to reduce thickness, then device profile is streamlined, but access for plug insertion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The jack socket transitions from a static design to a dynamic one, automatically extending when a plug is inserted into the aperture. This dynamic response ensures that the jack is accessible when needed while maintaining a streamlined profile during normal operation, eliminating the need for users to manually access a permanently exposed jack.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible casing acts as an intermediary mechanism that responds to plug insertion by allowing the jack to extend. This intermediary structure mediates between the conflicting requirements of maintaining a thin profile and providing easy access, automatically adjusting the jack's position based on user interaction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the jack socket is made extendable to accommodate plugs, then plug connection is enabled, but the device profile becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The jack socket employs a flexible casing that allows it to extend only when necessary for plug connection. This dynamic adaptability enables the jack to provide full plug accommodation capability when needed while maintaining a minimal profile during normal use, effectively resolving the contradiction between versatility and compactness.
4Ease of operation
If the jack socket is exposed to allow easy access, then plug insertion is facilitated, but protection against dirt and foreign objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible casing creates a dynamic protective barrier that remains closed during normal operation to prevent dirt and foreign object contamination. When a plug is inserted, the casing automatically opens to facilitate connection, then closes again afterward. This dynamic behavior simultaneously achieves easy plug insertion and continuous protection against contaminants.
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 design reduces the overall thickness of portable electronic devices by minimizing the jack socket's footprint when not in use and provides protection against dirt and foreign objects while allowing for easy expansion to accommodate jack plugs, resulting in a more streamlined and durable device profile.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a flexible casing that biases the jack socket into a retracted position
Implementation Method 2
a moveable second part that defines a cavity, which transitions from a retracted state to an expanded state upon jack plug insertion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a two-part jack socket for a portable electronic device and a portable electronic device having the same. In accordance with one example embodiment, the jack socket comprises: a first part having a contact surface; a second part having a contact surface and being moveable with respect to the first part between a first position and a second position, the contact surfaces of the first part and second part defining a cavity, the cavity having a retracted state when the second part is in the first position and an expanded state for receiving a jack plug when the second part is in the second position; and one or more contacts located in the contact surface of the first part or second part.