Electronic Device Lock Mechanism Preventing Unintended Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as tablet PCs, detachably assembled to docking stations, often experience unintended separation due to movable lock components being easily released by external forces, leading to inconvenience in usage.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring a first body with a lock portion and a second body containing a lock component, actuator, and retainer, where the lock component is positioned using elastic force and the actuator drives the retainer to secure the lock component, preventing separation from the first body, and allowing detachment through controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a movable lock component is used to facilitate detachment from the docking station, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the lock component is easily released by external forces causing unintended separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of detachmentVSAvoidlocking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock component is designed to be movable along the direction of insertion to facilitate easy detachment, while the retainer mechanism dynamically adjusts to lock the lock component in place during normal operation. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between locked and unlocked states based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the lock component and the docking station. It engages with the lock component to prevent unintended movement caused by external forces, while still allowing controlled movement when detachment is intentionally initiated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the lock component is made movable to allow easy detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of the retainer and actuator mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of detachmentVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer and actuator are integrated into a unified mechanism where the actuator drives the retainer to engage or disengage from the lock component. This merging reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the desired functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic component provides automatic resetting of the lock component to its initial position after detachment. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional reset mechanisms and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the retainer is used to push the lock component to prevent departure from the first position, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional actuator and retainer components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is configured to drive the retainer only when detachment is intentionally initiated. During normal operation, the elastic component alone maintains the locking state, replacing the need for continuous actuator operation and reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator operates periodically or on-demand to drive the retainer into engagement with the lock component, rather than maintaining constant engagement. This periodic action reduces the complexity of the actuation mechanism while maintaining reliable locking during critical periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

The solution ensures the electronic device components remain firmly joined without easily becoming loose, maintaining a secure locking status even under external forces, facilitating reliable assembly and disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic component connected between the main body and the lock component, and the lock component is configured to be positioned at the first position through an elastic force of the elastic component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9223356B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 COMPAL ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a first body and a second body. The first body has a lock portion. The second body includes a main body, a lock component, an actuator and a retainer. The main body is configured to be detachably assembled to the first body. The lock component is movably disposed in the main body. The actuator is disposed in the main body. The retainer is connected to the actuator, in which when the main body is detachably assembled to the first body and the lock component is located at a first position, the lock component locks the lock portion to prevent the main body being separated from the first body, and the actuator is configured to drive the retainer pushing the lock component so as to prevent the lock component departing from the first position.