Keyboard Coupling Mechanism with Elastic Biasing for Gap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupled structures for electronic devices, such as laptop PCs, face issues with keyboard unit displacement and appearance degradation due to hook disengagement and gaps between the keyboard unit and the chassis, requiring additional lock members that increase costs and affect aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A coupled structure featuring a hook mechanism with an elastic part and a locking part that biases the keyboard unit towards the chassis, ensuring stable engagement and minimizing gaps, using a screw for additional stability and employing a metal and resin spring combination for enhanced elasticity and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hook mechanism is used to couple the keyboard unit with the main body chassis, then the keyboard unit can be easily attached and detached, but the keyboard unit may displace during manufacturing or operation leading to hook disengagement and appearance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic part is configured to preliminarily counteract the displacement force that may cause hook disengagement. The elastic part continuously applies a restoring force in the opposite direction of potential displacement, preventing the keyboard unit from moving out of engagement before actual disengagement occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic part is pre-loaded during assembly to establish a continuous biasing force on the keyboard unit. This preliminary action ensures that the keyboard unit is constantly pushed toward the engaged position, maintaining reliable coupling without requiring additional locking mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a lock member is added to fill the gap between the keyboard unit and the recess, then the appearance is improved and displacement is prevented, but the cost increases and the appearance is degraded by the visible lock member
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic part is integrated into the keyboard unit structure itself, merging the biasing function with the existing keyboard assembly. This eliminates the need for separate lock members while maintaining displacement prevention, reducing component count and avoiding appearance degradation from additional visible parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic part is configured to automatically maintain the keyboard unit in the engaged position through its inherent elastic restoring force. The system serves itself by using the elastic deformation of the integrated part to continuously counteract displacement forces, eliminating the need for external locking mechanisms.
3Shape
If the keyboard unit is tightly fitted to eliminate gaps, then the appearance is improved, but the hook mechanism cannot engage properly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic part introduces dynamic capability to the coupling system, allowing the keyboard unit to be biased toward engagement while maintaining a controlled gap. The elastic deformation enables the system to adapt between the conflicting requirements of tight fitting for appearance and gap presence for engagement, with the gap size naturally adjusting based on elastic deflection.
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 prevents keyboard unit displacement during manufacturing and operation, maintains a consistent appearance by minimizing gaps, and enhances the stability and reliability of the coupling, thereby improving the electronic device's overall appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic part at the first member, the elastic part biasing the first member engaged with the second member in the one direction relative to the second member when the locking part locks the elastic part
Data Source
AI summary
A coupled structure capable of keeping the coupled state between coupled members without degrading the appearance, and an electronic device including such a coupled structure are disclosed. A coupled structure includes a keyboard unit coupled with a main body chassis. The coupled structure includes a hook mechanism which engages the keyboard unit with the main body chassis when the keyboard unit moves in one direction relative to the main body chassis, a locking part formed at the main body chassis, and an elastic part formed at the keyboard unit, and the elastic part biases the keyboard unit engaged with main body chassis in the one direction relative to the main body chassis when the locking part locks the elastic part.