USB Stick Housing Slit Attachment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment methods for USB sticks, such as openings for chains or clamping arrangements, are inconvenient for use as a constant companion due to detachment risks and miniaturization limitations, while manual pin-operated solutions are error-prone and difficult to miniaturize.

Innovation Solution

A slit-shaped through-opening or lateral hook extension in the USB stick housing, integrated with a sliding pin that can be closed by a spring force and opened manually, ensuring secure and easy attachment and detachment without compromising miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a chain opening is provided in the housing, then the USB stick can be attached to other objects, but the USB stick is difficult to miniaturize and requires additional production steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment loop is merged with the housing structure itself, forming an integrated unit where the loop is formed by bending the housing material. This eliminates the need for separate attachment components and allows miniaturization while maintaining attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed with a flexible section that can be bent to form the attachment loop. This flexible shell approach allows the creation of a secure loop structure without adding significant volume to the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If a clamping arrangement is used to attach the USB stick, then attachment to planar surfaces is convenient, but the attachment is not secure and may detach during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment convenienceVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment loop is formed as a curved, closed structure that provides secure mechanical interlocking with attachment objects. The curved geometry of the loop ensures that attached objects cannot easily detach during transport while maintaining ease of attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a snap hook loop is used for attachment, then the USB stick can be attached to thin objects, but the opening size cannot be minimized and handling becomes uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment versatilityVSAvoidhandling comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment loop is merged with the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate snap hook mechanisms. This integration provides a compact, comfortable form factor that does not interfere with handling while maintaining versatility for attaching to various objects including thin objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a manual pin is used to close the opening, then the opening can be secured, but manual operation leads to errors and the pin must move over the entire width making miniaturization difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening closure reliabilityVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment loop is designed to be self-closing through its elastic deformation characteristics. When the housing is bent to open the loop, the elastic material naturally returns to its original closed state, providing automatic closure without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates human error and allows miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the housing are selected to provide appropriate elasticity for the attachment loop. By changing the physical parameters of the housing material, the loop achieves reliable self-closing behavior while maintaining a compact size suitable for miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a user-friendly, secure, and reliable attachment mechanism that prevents accidental detachment, maintaining the advantages of miniaturized storage electronics while ensuring the USB stick remains securely attached to objects.

Implementation Method 1

the pin is retained in the closed position by a force acting upon it and can be opened by a counterforce to be applied by the hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8929063B2Electronic storage medium

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 JOHN TU

AI summary

A flat electronic storage medium, in particular a USB memory stick which has a fastening facility. The fastening means (1) is integrated into the housing (2) of the storage medium in that the housing (2) has a slit through-opening (3) or a lateral hook-shaped housing extension (11) of a flat side of the housing, the hook end (12) of which extension forms a slit (4) with the housing (2), and each slit of the slit through-opening (3) or slit (4) can be closed off by a pin (5) arranged in a guide (6) such that said pin can slide in the housing (2).