Notebook computer and housing assembly
The notebook computer's stylus groove with a slidable retention mechanism addresses the challenge of stylus protection by securely accommodating the stylus without increasing the housing thickness.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025003894U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-09-12
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing notebook computers with magnetically attached styluses face the risk of stylus damage due to protrusion, making reliable accommodation a design challenge.
A notebook computer with a stylus groove and a slidable retention mechanism featuring an engagement protrusion and recess, allowing secure stylus accommodation without increasing housing thickness.
The slidable retention mechanism securely houses the stylus, protecting it from external impacts while maintaining a slim profile.
Smart Images
Figure 0003254308000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to notebook computers and housing assemblies, and more particularly to notebook computers and housing assemblies having a stylus groove for accommodating a stylus. [Background technology]
[0002] Currently, new notebook computers are equipped with touch screens, which provide writing or drawing functions. To facilitate the writing or drawing functions of the notebook computer, users can use a stylus to write or draw on the touch screen of the notebook computer. Furthermore, the stylus can be magnetically attached to the side of the notebook computer, allowing users to carry the notebook computer and the stylus together.
[0003] However, when a stylus is magnetically attached to a notebook computer, the stylus protrudes from the side of the notebook computer, which puts it at risk of being impacted by external objects. As a result, the stylus may be dropped or damaged by such impact. Therefore, how to more reliably accommodate a stylus within a notebook computer has become a major design challenge. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The present disclosure provides a notebook computer and housing assembly that can more reliably accommodate a stylus in a stylus groove.
[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a notebook computer including a host, a stylus, and a retention mechanism. The host includes a housing having a stylus groove and an access opening connected to the stylus groove. The stylus is removably disposed in the stylus groove. An engagement recess is provided at one end of the stylus. The retention mechanism includes a retention member. The retention member is located on one side of the stylus groove in the axial direction of the stylus groove. The retention member is slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove. The retention member includes an engagement protrusion. The retention member is slidable relative to the housing such that the engagement protrusion is removably engaged with the engagement recess.
[0006] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a housing assembly for accommodating a stylus. The stylus has an engagement portion disposed at one end thereof. The housing assembly includes a housing and a retention mechanism. The housing has a stylus groove and an access opening connected to the stylus groove. The stylus groove is configured to accommodate the stylus. The retention mechanism includes a retention member. The retention member is located on one side of the stylus groove in the axial direction of the stylus groove. The retention member is slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove. The retention member includes an engagement protrusion. The retention member is slidable relative to the housing such that the engagement protrusion can be releasably engaged with the engagement recess. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the notebook computer and housing assembly disclosed in the above embodiments, the holding member is arranged within the housing so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the stylus groove (i.e., the engagement member has an axially sliding design). Because the holding member is slidable relative to the housing, the engagement protrusion of the holding member can be detachably engaged with the engagement recess of the stylus. This allows the stylus to be more securely accommodated in the stylus groove through engagement between the engagement protrusion and the engagement recess. Furthermore, the axial sliding structure does not increase the thickness of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the notebook computer of FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 showing the stylus positioned outside the stylus groove. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer of FIG. 1 showing the stylus positioned within the stylus groove. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment of a stylus to the notebook computer of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is another cross-sectional view showing the attachment of a stylus to the notebook computer of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is another cross-sectional view showing the attachment of a stylus to the notebook computer of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the removal of the stylus from the notebook computer of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the removal of the stylus from the notebook computer of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.
[0011] 1 and 2, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a notebook computer 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the notebook computer 10 of FIG. 1. The notebook computer 10 of this embodiment includes a host 11, a stylus 12, and a holding mechanism 13. The host 11 includes a housing 111 and electronic components (not shown) such as a motherboard and a cooling fan disposed within the housing 111. The housing 111 has a bottom surface 1111, a stylus groove 1112, and an access opening 1113. The stylus groove 1112 is recessed inward from the bottom surface 1111. The access opening 1113 is connected to the stylus groove 1112. The housing 111 and the holding mechanism 13 may together constitute a housing assembly (not shown).
[0012] The stylus 12 is removably disposed in the stylus groove 1112 and can be removed from the stylus groove 1112 by moving it through the access opening 1113. An engagement recess 1221 is provided at one end of the stylus 12. Specifically, the stylus 12 has a touch end 121 and an engagement end 122, and the engagement recess 1221 is provided at the engagement end 122.
[0013] The holding mechanism 13 includes a holding member 131, a restoring member 133, and a pressing member 132. The holding member 131 is arranged on one side of the stylus groove 1112 in the axial direction of the stylus groove 1112, is supported within the housing 111 so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the stylus groove 1112, and engages with the engagement recess 1221 of the stylus 12. Specifically, the holding member 131 includes a slider 1312 and an engagement protrusion 1311. The slider 1312 is slidably arranged within the housing 111, and the engagement protrusion 1311 protrudes from the slider 1312. The slider 1312 is slidable relative to the housing 111, which allows the engagement protrusion 1311 to detachably engage with the engagement recess 1221 to form a snap fit.
[0014] The pressing member 132 is slidably arranged within the housing 111 along the axial direction of the stylus groove 1112, and is assembled with the slider 1312 of the holding member 131, causing the slider 1312 of the holding member 131 to slide relative to the housing 111 along the axial direction of the stylus groove 1112.
[0015] In this embodiment, the pressing member 132 is assembled to the holding member 131 in a snap-fit manner, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the pressing member may be assembled to the holding member by magnetic attraction or other suitable means.
[0016] The restoring member 133 is, for example, a compression spring. Both ends of the restoring member 133 press against the housing 111 and the holding member 131, respectively, so that the engaging protrusion 1311 of the holding member 131 is forcibly engaged with the engaging recess 1221 of the stylus 12 by the elastic force generated by the restoring member 133. In this embodiment, the restoring member 133 is exemplified as a compression spring, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the restoring member may be a tension spring.
[0017] 2 and 3, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer 10 of Fig. 1, showing that the stylus 12 is positioned outside the stylus groove 1112. The housing 111 is provided with an elastic sheet 1114. The elastic sheet 1114 is provided with a pressing end 1115. The pressing end 1115 of the elastic sheet 1114 is movably disposed within the stylus groove 1112 so as to move toward or away from the access opening 1113, thereby causing the elastic sheet 1114 to at least partially push the stylus 12 out of the stylus groove 1112.
[0018] 4, which is a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer 10 of FIG. 1, showing that the stylus 12 is disposed in the stylus groove 1112. The notebook computer 10 may further include two legs 14 (the two legs 14 can be considered to be included in the housing assembly). The two legs 14 protrude from the bottom surface 1111 of the housing 111 and are disposed at both ends along the axial direction of the stylus groove 1112. The depth H1 of the stylus groove 1112 is equal to or greater than the diameter D1 of the stylus 12, preventing the stylus 12 from falling out of the stylus groove 1112 due to an external impact.
[0019] A method for storing the stylus 12 in the stylus groove 1112 will be described below. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, Figures 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views showing the stored state of the stylus 12 in the notebook computer 10 of Figure 1. First, as shown in Figure 5, the user presses down the touching end 121 of the stylus 12 along direction A to pre-position the touching end 121 of the stylus 12 in the stylus groove 1112.
[0020] 6, the user presses down the engagement end 122 of the stylus 12 in direction B. This causes the engagement end 122 of the stylus 12 to press against the engagement protrusion 1311 of the holding member 131, causing the engagement protrusion 1311 to be pulled inward in direction C.
[0021] 7, when the engagement end 122 of the stylus 12 is pressed down to the bottom of the stylus groove 1112, the engagement protrusion 1311 is aligned with the engagement recess 1221. The engagement protrusion 1311 is then pushed by the restoring member 133 and restored along direction D to engage with the engagement recess 1221. In this way, the engagement between the holding member 131 and the engagement end 122 ensures that the stylus 12 is securely housed in the stylus groove 1112. Furthermore, because the stylus 12 is housed in the stylus groove 1112 and not exposed to the outside, it is protected or covered by the housing, and can be prevented from unintentionally or unexpectedly coming off the host or colliding with an external object.
[0022] Next, a method for removing the stylus 12 from the stylus groove 1112 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the stylus 12 is being removed from the notebook computer 10 of FIG. 1. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the user slides the pressing member 132 along direction C. Since the pressing member 132 is assembled with the holding member 131, the pressing member 132 slides the holding member 131 along direction C. At this time, the engaging protrusion 1311 of the holding member 131 disengages from the engaging recess 1221 of the stylus 12.
[0023] 9, the engagement recess 1221 of the stylus 12 is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 1311 of the holding member 131, allowing the pressing end 1115 of the elastic sheet 1114 to push the stylus 12 out of the stylus groove 1112 along direction E. Finally, the user can remove the stylus 12 from the stylus groove 1112 by moving the stylus 12 through the access opening 1113.
[0024] According to the notebook computer and housing assembly disclosed in the above embodiments, the holding member is arranged within the housing so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the stylus groove (i.e., the engagement member has an axially sliding design), and the holding member is slidable relative to the housing. This allows the engagement protrusion of the holding member to detachably engage with the engagement recess of the stylus. This allows the stylus to be more securely accommodated in the stylus groove through engagement between the engagement protrusion and the engagement recess. Furthermore, the axial sliding structure does not increase the thickness of the housing.
[0025] Furthermore, by using the elastic sheet to push the stylus out of the stylus groove, the user does not need to remove the stylus from the narrow gap between the stylus groove and the stylus, which allows the user to access the stylus more conveniently and intuitively.
Claims
1. a host including a housing having a stylus groove and an access opening connected to the stylus groove; a stylus that is detachably disposed in the stylus groove and has an engaging recess at one end; a holding mechanism including a holding member, the holding member being located on one side of the stylus groove in an axial direction of the stylus groove, the holding member being slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove, the holding member including an engagement protrusion, the holding member being slidable relative to the housing such that the engagement protrusion is detachably engaged with the engagement recess; Notebook computer.
2. the retention mechanism includes a restoring member; Both ends of the restoring member press the housing and the holding member, respectively, so that the holding member is slidable relative to the housing. The notebook computer of claim 1 .
3. the holding member includes a slider, The engagement protrusion protrudes from the slider, the holding mechanism includes a pressing member slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove and assembled with the slider of the holding member. The notebook computer of claim 1 .
4. the housing includes an elastic sheet having a pressing edge; the pressing end of the elastic sheet is movably positioned within the stylus groove toward and away from the access opening such that the elastic sheet at least partially pushes the stylus out of the stylus groove. The notebook computer of claim 1 .
5. It has two legs, the housing has a bottom surface, the stylus groove is formed recessed inward from the bottom surface, and the two legs protrude from the bottom surface of the housing and are disposed at both ends of the stylus groove along the axial direction of the stylus groove, respectively. The notebook computer of claim 1 .
6. 1. A housing assembly for receiving a stylus having an engagement recess at one end, comprising: a housing having a stylus groove and an access opening connected to the stylus groove, the stylus groove configured to receive a stylus; a holding mechanism including a holding member, the holding member being located on one side of the stylus groove in an axial direction of the stylus groove, the holding member being slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove, the holding member including an engagement protrusion, the holding member being slidable relative to the housing such that the engagement protrusion is detachably engaged with the engagement recess; Housing assembly.
7. the retention mechanism includes a restoring member; Both ends of the restoring member press the housing and the holding member, respectively, so that the holding member is slidable relative to the housing. The housing assembly of claim 6 .
8. the holding member includes a slider, The engagement protrusion protrudes from the slider, the holding mechanism includes a pressing member slidably disposed on the housing along the axial direction of the stylus groove and assembled with the slider of the holding member. The housing assembly of claim 6 .
9. the housing includes an elastic sheet having a pressing edge; the pressing end of the elastic sheet is movably positioned within the stylus groove toward and away from the access opening such that the elastic sheet at least partially removes the stylus from the stylus groove. The housing assembly of claim 6 .
10. It has two legs, the housing has a bottom surface, the stylus groove is formed recessed inward from the bottom surface, and the two legs protrude from the bottom surface of the housing and are disposed at both ends of the stylus groove along the axial direction of the stylus groove, respectively. The housing assembly of claim 6 .