Internal Housing Locking Arrangement for Smooth, Watertight Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housings face challenges in providing a reliable, space-saving, and watertight locking mechanism that allows easy assembly and disassembly without visible locking elements, especially for devices requiring regular cleaning and smooth outer shells.
Innovation Solution
A housing design with internal locking elements, including a first engaging portion movable along an axis, and fixed second and third engaging portions on the inner walls of the housing parts, allowing for a unidirectional movement to switch between engaged and disengaged states, ensuring a smooth outer shell and reliable locking without external access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screws are used for locking housing parts, then the device can be easily assembled or disassembled with a proper tool, but the locking often results in an uneven fixation of the different housing parts, entry points for liquids and fluids can occur, and the assembling and disassembling process is rather time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking elements (first locking element, second locking element, third locking element) that are distributed around the housing periphery. Each locking element independently engages with corresponding engaging portions, providing uniform fixation across multiple points rather than relying on a single screw connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed to automatically engage and lock when the housing parts are brought together, without requiring manual tightening or tools. The resilient nature of the locking elements allows them to self-adjust and secure the housing parts uniformly upon engagement.
2Ease of operation
If locking elements are made accessible from the outside of the housing, then the device can be easily assembled or disassembled, but the outer shell of the housing cannot be smooth without holes or bulges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements and engaging portions are nested within the housing structure itself. The locking elements are positioned on the inner walls of the housing parts, and the engaging portions are formed as integral parts of the housing structure, concealing the entire locking mechanism within the housing walls and maintaining a smooth outer shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates in the internal dimension of the housing rather than on the external surface. By moving the locking elements from the outer shell to the inner walls, the design achieves locking functionality without compromising the external appearance and smoothness of the housing.
3Productivity
If an internal locking arrangement based on snap-fit mechanism is used, then the assembly speed is improved, but releasing the interlocking components with a tool from the outside is not straightforward and can easily lead to damages of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
An opening tool is introduced as an intermediary device to facilitate the release of locking elements. The opening tool engages with the locking elements from the outside of the housing and transmits force to the resilient locking elements, causing them to deform and release from the engaging portions without requiring direct access to the locking elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed with resilient properties, allowing them to dynamically deform during both engagement and disengagement. During assembly, they flex to accommodate the engaging portions and then lock in place. During disassembly, the opening tool applies force that causes them to flex in the opposite direction, releasing the lock.
4Reliability
If multiple locking elements are used to ensure reliable locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each locking element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides locking engagement, structural support, and sealing contribution. The locking elements are identical in structure and function, allowing for standardized manufacturing and simplifying the overall design despite having multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are integrated with the housing structure through the engaging portions, which are formed as integral parts of the housing walls. This merging of the locking mechanism with the housing structure reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a housing (10) with one first housing part (12) and one second housing part (14), which are reliably locked by an internal locking arrangement. The locking arrangement is suitable for various types and sizes of housings, particularly for the housings of electronic and display devices. The locking mechanism comprises a first locking element (30) being arranged moveably along an axis on the first housing part (12) and comprises a first engaging portion (32) that forms an engaged or disengaged state with a second engaging portion (42), which is arranged on the first housing part (12). A third engaging portion (52) arranged on the second housing part (14) is locked-in in the engaged state leading to a reliable locking of the first housing part (12) and second housing part (14), whereby the change between the engaged and disengaged state is realized by a movement of the first locking element (30).