Integrated USB and SIM Connector Tray Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of computing devices with integrated USB and memory card ports increases the device's footprint, affecting industrial design and space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A universal serial bus (USB) connector receptacle with an ejectable tray that can receive both a USB connector and a memory device, such as a Micro SIM card, allowing for reduced space requirements by integrating these functions into a single port, enabling easy access and electrical communication between the memory device and the electronic device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate USB and memory card ports are provided, then both USB connectivity and memory card functionality are available, but the device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity functionalityVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a USB connector receptacle and a memory card receptacle into a single integrated connector assembly. The USB connector housing contains both a USB connector receptacle and a memory card receptacle, allowing both functionalities to coexist in one compact unit rather than requiring separate ports in the device housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated connector receptacle is designed to accept multiple types of connectors (USB connectors and memory cards) through a single opening in the device housing. This multi-functional design allows the same physical opening to serve both USB connectivity and memory card insertion purposes, reducing the overall number of openings required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If an ejectable tray is added for memory card access, then easy memory card insertion and removal is enabled, but the connector complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory card accessVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a USB connector receptacle and a memory card receptacle with an ejectable tray. The tray mechanism is further segmented into a tray body, retaining members, and biasing members. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The memory card tray is nested within the USB connector housing, with the tray mechanism contained inside the overall connector assembly. The retaining members and biasing members are nested within the tray structure, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that minimizes the external footprint while providing full ejectable tray functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9178311B1USB connector with ejectable memory card

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

According to one general aspect, an apparatus includes a connector receptacle coupled to an electronic device. The connector receptacle is configured to receive a universal serial bus (USB) connector and a Micro SIM card. A connection member is disposed within the connector receptacle and configured to provide electrical communication between the Micro SIM card and the electronic device when the Micro SIM card is coupled to the connector receptacle. In some implementations, the electrical connector can also provide electrical communication between a USB connector and the electronic device when the USB connector is coupled thereto.