Notebook computer and case layout

The notebook computer's stylus notch with a retention mechanism addresses the issue of stylus protrusion and damage by providing secure, thickness-neutral attachment and easy access.

DE202025106883U1Active Publication Date: 2025-12-31MICRO STAR INTERNATIONAL CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE202025106883
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Utility models
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-11-11
Publication Date
2025-12-31
Estimated Expiration
2035-11-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Modern laptops with magnetically attached styluses face the risk of the stylus falling out or being damaged due to protrusion, necessitating a more secure mounting solution.

Method used

A notebook computer design featuring a stylus notch with a retention mechanism that includes a slidably arranged retaining element with an engagement projection, allowing secure attachment and detachment of the stylus without increasing the housing thickness.

Benefits of technology

The design securely retains the stylus within the notebook computer, preventing accidental dislodgment and damage while maintaining the housing's thickness, and facilitates easy access and intuitive removal.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Notebook computers (10), includes: a host (11) comprising a housing (111) with a pin notch (1112) and an access opening (1113) connected to the pin notch (1112); a pin (12) which is separably mounted in the pin notch (1112), one end of the pin having an engagement recess (1221); and a holding mechanism (13) comprising a holding element (131), wherein the holding element (131) is located on one side of the pin notch (1112) in the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) is arranged to be displaceable on the housing (111) along the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) comprises an engagement projection (1311), the holding element (131) is displaceable relative to the housing (111) so that the engagement projection (1311) can be detachably brought into operative contact with the engagement recess (1221).
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Description

BACKGROUND Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a notebook computer and a housing arrangement, in particular a notebook computer and a housing arrangement with a pen notch for receiving a stylus. State of the art

[0002] Modern laptops are equipped with a touchscreen that offers writing and drawing capabilities. To facilitate writing and drawing, users can use a stylus to write or draw on the touchscreen. The stylus attaches magnetically to the side of the laptop, allowing users to carry both the laptop and stylus together.

[0003] However, because the stylus protrudes from the side of the notebook computer when magnetically attached, it is at risk of being struck by external objects. As a result, the stylus could fall out or be damaged. Therefore, finding a more secure way to mount the stylus inside the notebook computer has become a significant design challenge. SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention relates to a notebook computer and a housing arrangement that makes it possible to place the pen more securely in a pen notch.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a notebook computer comprising a host, a stylus, and a retention mechanism. The host includes a housing with a stylus notch and an access opening connected to the stylus notch. The stylus is detachably arranged in the stylus notch. One end of the stylus has an engagement recess. The retention mechanism includes a retention element. The retention element is located on one side of the stylus notch in the axial direction of the stylus notch. The retention element is slidably arranged on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus notch. The retention element includes an engagement projection. The retention element is slidable relative to the housing so that the engagement projection can detachably engage in the engagement recess.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a housing assembly for receiving a pin. The pin has an operative connection at one end. The housing assembly comprises a housing and a retaining mechanism. The housing has a pin notch and an access opening connected to the pin notch. The pin notch is configured to receive the pin. The retaining mechanism comprises a retaining element. The retaining element is located on one side of the pin notch in the axial direction of the pin notch. The retaining element is slidably arranged on the housing along the axial direction of the pin notch. The retaining element comprises an engagement projection. The retaining element is slidable relative to the housing so that the engagement projection can be separably brought into operative contact with the engagement recess.

[0007] According to the notebook computer and housing arrangement disclosed in the above embodiment, the retaining element is slidably arranged in the housing along the axial direction of the pin notch (i.e., the retaining element has an axially sliding design), and the retaining element is slidable relative to the housing, allowing the engagement projection of the retaining element to be separably brought into engagement with the engagement recess of the pin. This allows the pin to be more securely received in the pin notch by means of the operative connection between the engagement projection and the engagement recess. Furthermore, the axial sliding design does not result in an increase in the thickness of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and therefore do not limit the present invention: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the notebook computer from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer Fig. 1 is the one that shows that the pin is outside the pin notch; Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer Fig. 1 is the one that shows that the pin is in the pin notch; Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 are cross-sectional views showing the placement of the notebook computer's pen. Fig. 1 show; and Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 are cross-sectional views showing the removal of the pen from the notebook computer. Fig. Show 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The following detailed description presents numerous specific details for the purpose of explanation, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments can also be realized without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are shown schematically to simplify the drawings.

[0010] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is Fig. 1 a perspective schematic view of a notebook computer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the Notebook Computer 10 from Fig. 1. The notebook computer 10 of this embodiment comprises a host 11, a pin 12, and a retention mechanism 13. The host 11 comprises a housing 111 and electronic components (not shown), such as a mainboard, a fan, and the like, arranged within the housing 111. The housing 111 has a bottom surface 1111, a pin notch 1112, and an access opening 1113. The pin notch 1112 is inserted into the bottom surface 1111. The access opening 1113 is connected to the pin notch 1112. The housing 111 and the retention mechanism 13 can together form a housing assembly (not shown).

[0011] The pin 12 is separably arranged in the pin notch 1112 and can be pushed out of the pin notch 1112 by leading it through the access opening 1113. One end of the pin 12 has an engagement recess 1221. In particular, the pin 12 comprises a contact end 121 and an engagement end 122, and the engagement recess 1221 is located at the engagement end 122.

[0012] The retaining mechanism 13 comprises a retaining element 131, a return element 133 and a pressure element 132. The retaining element 131 is arranged on one side of the pin notch 1112 in the axial direction of the pin notch and is mounted in the housing 111 so as to be slidably connected with the engagement recess 1221 of the pin 12 along the axial direction of the pin notch 1112. In particular, the retaining element 131 comprises a slide 1312 and an engagement projection 1311. The slide 1312 is slidably arranged in the housing 111, and the engagement projection 1311 protrudes from the slide 1312. The slide 1312 is slidable relative to the housing 111, so that the engagement projection 1311 can be separably brought into operative contact with the engagement recess 1221 to form a snap connection.

[0013] The pressure element 132 is arranged to be displaceable in the housing 111 along the axial direction of the pin notch 1112 and is connected to the slide 1312 of the retaining element 131 in order to force the slide 1312 of the retaining element 131 to slide relative to the housing 111 along the axial direction of the pin notch 1112.

[0014] In this embodiment, the pressure element 132 is connected to the retaining element 131 by a snap-fit ​​connection; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the pressure element can be connected to the retaining element by magnetic attraction or in another suitable manner.

[0015] The return element 133 is, for example, a compression spring. The opposite ends of the return element 133 each press against the housing 111 and the retaining element 131, so that the engagement projection 1311 of the retaining element 131 is forced by the elastic force generated by the return element 133 to engage with the engagement recess 1221 of the pin 12. In this embodiment, the return element 133 is shown as a compression spring, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the return element can be a tension spring.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer 10 from Fig. Figure 1, which shows that the pin 12 is located outside the pin notch 1112. The housing 111 has an elastic film 1114. The elastic film 1114 has a pressure end 1115. The pressure end 1115 of the elastic film 1114 is movably arranged in the pin notch 1112, so that it can move towards or away from the access opening 1113, such that the elastic film 1114 forces the pin 12 to move at least partially out of the pin notch 1112.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 4 is Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer 10 from Fig. Figure 1 shows that the pin 12 is located in the pin notch 1112. The notebook computer 10 may further comprise two feet 14 (the two feet 14 can be considered part of the housing assembly). The two feet 14 protrude from the underside 1111 of the housing 111 and are each arranged at two opposite ends along the axial direction of the pin notch 1112. The depth H1 of the pin notch 1112 is greater than or equal to the diameter D1 of the pin 12, thus preventing the pin 12 from falling out of the pin notch 1112 due to external forces.

[0018] The placement of pin 12 in pin notch 1112 is described below. With reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 show Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 cross-sectional views showing the placement of the pen 12 of the notebook computer 10. Fig. 1. First, the user presses, as shown in Fig. 5 shown, the touching end 121 of the pin 12 along a direction A downwards and previously positioned the touching end 121 of the pin 12 inside the pin notch 1112.

[0019] Next, the user presses, as in Fig. Figure 6 shows the engagement end 122 of the pin 12 moving downwards along a direction B. This causes the engagement end 122 of the pin 12 to press the engagement projection 1311 of the retaining element 131 and force the engagement projection 1311 to retract inwards along a direction C.

[0020] Next, as in Fig. Figure 7 shows that when the engagement end 122 of the pin 12 is pressed down to the bottom of the pin notch 1112, the engagement projection 1311 aligns with the engagement recess 1221. The engagement projection 1311 is then pushed by the return element 133 to be reset along a direction D and engage with the engagement recess 1221. In this way, the pin 12 is securely received in the pin notch 1112 by the engagement between the retaining element 131 and the engagement end 122. Since the pin 12 is received in the pin notch 1112 and does not protrude outwards, it is also protected or covered by the housing, preventing it from unintentionally or unexpectedly separating from the host or colliding with external objects.

[0021] Next, the process of pushing the pin 12 out of the pin notch 1112 is described. With reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 cross-sectional views showing the pushing out of the pen 12 of the notebook computer 10 from Fig. 1. First, the user slides, as shown in Fig. Figure 8 shows the pressure element 132 moving along direction C. Since the pressure element 132 is connected to the retaining element 131, the pressure element 132 forces the retaining element 131 to slide along direction C. At this point, the engagement projection 1311 of the retaining element 131 is released from the engagement recess 1221 of the pin 12.

[0022] Since now, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, once the engagement recess 1221 of the pin 12 is released from the engagement projection 1311 of the retaining element 131, the sliding end 1115 of the elastic film 1114 can push the pin 12 out of the pin notch 1112 along a direction E. Finally, the user can remove the pin 12 from the pin notch 1112 by guiding the pin 12 out through the access opening 1113.

[0023] According to the notebook computer and housing assembly disclosed in the above embodiment, the retaining element is arranged to be displaceable within the housing along the axial direction of the pin notch (i.e., the retaining element has an axially displaceable design), and the retaining element is displaceable relative to the housing, allowing the engagement projection of the retaining element to be releasably brought into engagement with the engagement recess of the pin. This allows the pin to be more securely received in the pin notch by the engagement between the engagement projection and the engagement recess. Furthermore, the axially displaceable design does not result in an increase in the thickness of the housing.

[0024] Furthermore, the user does not need to extract the pen from a narrow gap between the pen notch and the pen itself, as the elastic film pushes it out of the notch. This allows the user to access the pen more conveniently and intuitively.

Claims

[1] Notebook computers (10), includes: a host (11) comprising a housing (111) with a pin notch (1112) and an access opening (1113) connected to the pin notch (1112); a pin (12) which is separably mounted in the pin notch (1112), one end of the pin having an engagement recess (1221); and a holding mechanism (13) comprising a holding element (131), wherein the holding element (131) is located on one side of the pin notch (1112) in the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) is arranged to be displaceable on the housing (111) along the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) comprises an engagement projection (1311), the holding element (131) is displaceable relative to the housing (111) so that the engagement projection (1311) can be detachably brought into operative contact with the engagement recess (1221). [2] Notebook computer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism (13) further comprises a return element (133), wherein two opposite ends of the return element press against the housing (111) and the retaining element (131) respectively, so that the retaining element (131) is displaceable relative to the housing (111). [3] Notebook computer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (131) further comprises a slider (1312), wherein the engagement projection (1311) protrudes from the slider and the retaining mechanism (13) further comprises a pressure element (132) which is slidably arranged on the housing (111) along the axial direction of the pin notch (1112) and is connected to the slider of the retaining element (131). [4] Notebook computer (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (111) comprises an elastic film (1114) with a printing end (1115), wherein the printing end of the elastic film is movably arranged in the pin notch (1112) to move towards or away from the access opening (1113), such that the elastic film forces the pin (12) to move at least partially out of the pin notch (1112). [5] Notebook computer device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising two feet (14), wherein the housing (111) has a bottom (1111), wherein the pin notch (1112) is recessed in the bottom and the two feet project from the bottom of the housing (111) and are each located at two opposite ends of the pin notch (1112) along the axial direction of the pin notch (1112). [6] Housing arrangement for receiving a pin, wherein the pin (12) has an engagement recess (1221) at one end, the housing arrangement comprising: a housing (111) with a pin notch (1112) and an access opening (1113) connected to the pin notch (1112), wherein the pin notch (1112) is configured to receive the pin (12); and a holding mechanism (13) with a holding element (131), wherein the holding element (131) is located on one side of the pin notch (1112) in the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) is arranged to be displaceable on the housing (111) along the axial direction of the pin notch (1112), the holding element (131) comprises an engagement projection (1311) and the holding element (131) is displaceable relative to the housing (111) so that the engagement projection (1311) can be detachably engaged in the engagement recess (1221). [7] Housing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the retaining mechanism (13) further comprises a return element, wherein two opposite ends of the return element press against the housing (111) and the retaining element respectively, so that the retaining element is displaceable relative to the housing (111). [8] Housing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the retaining element (131) further comprises a slide, wherein the engagement recess (1221) projects from the slide, and the retaining mechanism (13) further comprises a pressure element which is slidably arranged on the housing (111) along an axial direction of the pin notch (1112) and is assembled with the slide of the retaining element (131). [9] Housing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the housing (111) comprises an elastic film with a pressure end, wherein the pressure end of the elastic film is movably arranged in the pin notch (1112) in order to be brought close to or away from the access opening (1113), so that the elastic film pushes the pin (12) at least partially out of the pin notch (1112). [10] Housing according to claim 6, which further comprises two feet, wherein the housing (111) has a bottom surface, the pin notch (1112) is recessed in the bottom surface and the two feet project from the bottom surface of the housing (111) and are located at two opposite ends of the pin notch along the axial direction of the pin notch.