Keystone Housing Lock for Screwless Laptop Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable information handling systems are difficult to break down for recycling and reuse due to the use of screws and complex cable connections, leading to high costs and inefficiencies in component separation and recycling.
Innovation Solution
A portable information handling system design that uses a keystone assembly for automated disassembly and assembly without screws, featuring a sliding motion to expose internal components for robotic access, and a membrane with integrated circuitry to replace cables, allowing for efficient recycling and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to assemble housing and processing components, then system robustness and impact resistance are improved, but system breakdown difficulty and recycling cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate portions (main housing and lid housing) that can be easily separated. The security lock mechanism segments the locking function from the housing structure, allowing the housing portions to be separated without affecting the overall structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The security lock and keystone assembly are extracted as separate removable components from the housing assembly. This allows the housing portions to be separated by removing the security lock, eliminating the need to unscrew multiple fasteners while maintaining robust assembly when locked.
2Reliability
If multiple screws and cable connections are used to secure components, then system reliability and component security are improved, but disassembly time and recycling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The security lock mechanism is extracted as a single removable component that secures multiple housing portions simultaneously. Removing this one component unlocks all housing sections, eliminating the need to individually remove multiple screws and disconnect cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The security lock combines multiple locking functions into a single mechanism that secures the lid housing, main housing, and internal components simultaneously. This merged approach maintains comprehensive component security while enabling rapid disassembly through single-point release.
3Volume of moving object
If specialized housing arrangements with multiple screws are used to optimize interior space, then space utilization and processing capability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into modular portions that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall assembly process, as components can be pre-assembled and then quickly combined using the security lock mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system is assembled and disassembled by a keystone assembly that couples at an upper surface of the portable housing to overlap a keyboard assembly that covers processing components disposed in the portable housing. The keystone has an interior member that slides relative to an external member with latches of the interior member coupling to and releasing catches of the portable housing. A security lock that couples to a security cable at one side of the portable housing provides access to the interior member so that a press releases the keystone assembly and keyboard assembly, while insertion of a security cable prevents disassembly of portable housing.