Docking Device Hook Pivoting Restriction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information apparatuses, such as laptops, face challenges in securely attaching and detaching from docking devices due to their thin and compact designs, which can lead to accidental disengagement of hook portions from engaging holes, especially when subjected to forceful lifting.
Innovation Solution
A docking device with engaging members that have hook portions and a restricting member, where the hook portions can pivot between engagement and disengagement positions, and the restricting member contacts the rear surface of the hook portions to prevent accidental disengagement by restricting movement from the engagement position to the disengagement position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hook portions are deeply inserted into the engaging hole to establish firm engagement, then the coupling strength is improved, but the chassis thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional constraint by adding the restricting member that acts perpendicular to the insertion direction, constraining the hook portion at multiple points (both insertion depth and angular position). This allows firm engagement without requiring excessive insertion depth, thus maintaining thin chassis design.
2Ease of operation
If the engaging members are forcibly pivoted in the direction of disengagement, then the engagement can be released, but the coupling reliability deteriorates due to accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting member is positioned to preemptively counteract forces that would cause accidental disengagement. By contacting the hook portion at a strategic point, it creates preliminary resistance against unintended pivoting motions, preventing accidental release before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting member is pre-positioned in the device chassis to automatically engage with the hook portion upon insertion. This preliminary action ensures that the engagement is established in a controlled manner, preventing accidental release while maintaining the ability to deliberately disengage when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking member contacts the lower portions of the engaging members spaced away from the hook portions, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the coupling reliability deteriorates due to pivot-point rattle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical contact function from the locking member and relocates it to the restricting member, which specifically contacts the hook portion. This separation of functions allows the locking member to handle general positioning while the restricting member provides specialized support at the critical hook portion contact point, eliminating rattle without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking device is provided. The docking device includes an engaging member that projects from an upper surface of a device chassis, which has a hook portion for engaging with and disengage from an engaging hole of a portable information apparatus, and which is movable between an engagement position at which the hook portion engages with the engaging hole and a disengagement position at which the engagement of the hook portion with the engaging hole is released; and a restricting member that is movable between a retraction position at which the engaging member is allowed to move from the engagement position to the disengagement position and a restriction position at which the movement of the engaging member from the engagement position to the disengagement position is restricted by coming in contact with the engaging member at a rear surface of the hook portion.