Bezel Latch Lock Assembly to Prevent Torsional Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bezel locks for information handling systems introduce torsional forces and gaps when actuated, leading to confusion and potential unauthorized access due to wear and asymmetric latch movement.
Innovation Solution
A lock assembly that slides along an axis and engages with a slot structure to prevent torsional forces by aligning with a stop in the locked position, ensuring secure and defined latched and unlatched states without gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional bezel lock with a rotating lock pawl is used, then the bezel can be locked to prevent unauthorized access, but torsional forces are introduced when the latch is actuated, causing unbalanced movement and potential partial rotation that may leave the bezel insufficiently locked
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the lock pawl rotate around a fixed axis perpendicular to the latch movement, the invention inverts the mechanism so that the lock member translates linearly along the same axis as the latch movement. This inversion eliminates the torsional forces generated by asymmetric latch pressing while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the asymmetric pressing issue by designing the lock member to move symmetrically along the latch's axis of movement. The slot structure guides the lock member to translate only in the forward-backward direction along the latch movement axis, ensuring balanced engagement regardless of where on the latch the user applies force.
2Reliability
If the lock pawl is rotated to engage the latch, then the bezel is locked, but a noticeable gap becomes apparent between the bezel and housing, causing end user confusion about the locked state
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the locking mechanism from rotational movement to linear translation along the latch axis. This allows the lock member to engage the latch in a colinear manner, eliminating the radial gap that appears with rotational pawls. The gapless engagement provides clear visual indication of the locked state.
3Reliability
If the lock pawl structure is used, then the bezel can be locked, but wear and torque application cause the lock to loosen over time, increasing the gap and reducing security
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the rotational friction-based pawl mechanism with a linear translation system guided by a slot structure. The lock member translates along the latch movement axis within the slot, eliminating the rotational wear and torque-induced loosening that plague conventional pawl designs. This substitution provides more durable, wear-resistant engagement.
4Reliability
If a rotational lock pawl is used, then the bezel can be locked, but the mechanism requires multiple components and complex assembly, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the conventional lock mechanism. By removing the rotational pawl structure, spring-loaded return mechanisms, and complex gear systems, and replacing them with a simple linear translation system guided by a slot, the design achieves the same locking function with fewer parts and simpler assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system bezel latches to an information handling system housing with latches coupled to a slot structure that slides relative to the bezel. The slot structure has a slot through which a lock couples so that the slot structure slides relative to the lock when the lock is in an unlocked position. When the lock is in the locked position, a lock member rotates to an axis that the slot structure slides along to engage a stop formed in the bezel so that the slot structure is prevented from sliding without generating torsional forces when a sliding force is pressed against the sliding structure.