Cantilevered Locking Mechanism for Repairable Device Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current design trends in electronic devices, such as tablet computers and mobile phones, face challenges in manufacturing due to the need for compact designs without visible screws or access points, leading to high failure rates when disassembling adhesive retention solutions and requiring time-consuming manual mechanisms for repair.

Innovation Solution

A locking mechanism featuring a chassis with a cantilevered plate that moves between locked and unlocked positions, allowing secure attachment and easy removal of components without adhesives, utilizing a magnetic attraction or external object to bend the plate and facilitate detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If adhesive retention solutions are used to attach components, then the device achieves a low-profile compact design, but the disassembly failure rate increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice profileVSAvoiddisassembly success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete locking features (protrusions and recesses) distributed around the perimeter of the display assembly, replacing the continuous adhesive bond with multiple localized mechanical interlocking points that can be individually engaged and disengaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical adhesive bonding system is replaced with a mechanical locking system consisting of cantilevered plates with locking features that physically interlock with corresponding features on the display assembly, enabling reliable mechanical attachment and detachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual mechanisms are used to address disassembly failure, then disassembly reliability improves, but the repair process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisassembly success rateVSAvoidrepair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the application of minimal force to the release tool, which automatically triggers the cantilevered plates to disengage from their locked position, allowing the display assembly to be removed without complex manual manipulation or specialized tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking features are pre-positioned and pre-loaded during assembly, with the cantilevered plates already in their locked position, so that disassembly requires only the final triggering action rather than progressive manual manipulation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If visible screws or access points are used for component attachment, then ease of repair improves, but the device aesthetic and compact design are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoiddevice appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is nested within the border structure of the display assembly, with the cantilevered plates and locking features integrated into the thickness of the border, allowing the mechanism to be hidden from external view while maintaining full functionality for repair access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A release tool serves as an intermediary element that interfaces with the hidden locking mechanism through a small access point in the border, allowing the repair technician to actuate the locking plates without exposing the entire mechanism or compromising the device aesthetic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces electronic device failure rates, minimizes the use of adhesive materials, and simplifies the repair process by enabling easy detachment of components without damage, thereby reducing repair costs and material usage while maintaining a compact device design.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a magnetic attraction or external object to bend the plate and facilitate detachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The cantilevered plate is configured to bend at or adjacent to the second end, therein moving between a locked position and an unlocked position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11419228B2Locking mechanisms in separable and repairable devices

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Locking mechanisms and separable, repairable (e.g., electronic) devices having locking mechanisms are described herein. In one example, a locking mechanism includes a chassis having a base, a first side wall extending from a surface of the base, and a second side wall extending from the surface of the base. A cavity is provided in a volume formed by the first side wall, the second side wall, and the surface of the base, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a mating component of the device. The locking mechanism also includes a cantilevered plate having a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the cantilevered plate is attached to the first side wall of the chassis at or adjacent to the first end, and wherein the second end of the cantilevered plate is positioned with the cavity.