Electronic Device Housing Locking Mechanism for Easy Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as notebook computers and cellular phones, require a convenient method for replacing their external housings to balance performance and aesthetics, but current solutions are not user-friendly for disassembly.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a housing unit comprising a first and second housing, along with a locking mechanism that includes an operable member and a drive member, where the drive member can be moved to a retracted position by the operable member, allowing the second housing to be easily separated from the first housing without continuous user operation, using a stop member to maintain the retracted position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive member is used to prevent movement of the second housing relative to the first housing, then the housing unit achieves reliable locking, but the user must continuously operate the operable member to maintain the retracted position during disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is pre-positioned on the first housing to automatically stop the drive member at the retracted position. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for continuous user operation during disassembly, as the stop member automatically maintains the drive member in the retracted position once the operable member is initially actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member acts as an intermediary element between the drive member and the first housing. It mediates the position control of the drive member by providing a physical stop that prevents the drive member from returning to the engaging position, thereby maintaining the disengaged state without requiring continuous user intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the drive member is allowed to move freely to maintain retracted position, then disassembly is simple, but the drive member cannot be reliably prevented from restoring to the engaging position
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member serves as an intermediary that provides reliable position control while maintaining operational simplicity. It physically blocks the drive member from returning to the engaging position, ensuring reliable position control without adding complexity to the disassembly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member automatically maintains the drive member in the retracted position through its fixed position on the first housing. The system becomes self-regulating, as the stop member passively prevents restoration to the engaging position without requiring active user control or additional actuation mechanisms.
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
Facilitates convenient and user-friendly replacement of the external housing by eliminating the need for continuous operation of the drive member to maintain its retracted position, simplifying the disassembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The operable member is mounted on the first housing and is operable to move resiliently
Implementation Method 2
The drive member is movable resiliently to a retracted position by pressing the operable member and is biased to an engaging position
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing unit, an electronic module and a locking mechanism. The housing unit includes a first housing and a second housing that is coupled detachably to the first housing. The locking mechanism includes an operable member and a drive member. The drive member can prevent movement of the second housing relative to the first housing. The operable member is operable to release the second housing from the drive member. When the drive member is moved to a position whereat the second housing is released, it can be maintained in the position, so that a user doesn't have to maintain the position of the drive member through operation of the operable member when separating the second housing from the first housing.