Locking Assembly for Handheld Devices via Geometric Interlocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holders for handheld electronic devices are inconvenient to use and provide an unreliable clamping effect, causing the devices to potentially drop during vibrations or external forces.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly comprising a first locking part on the handheld device and a second locking part on the holder, featuring a head portion and necking portion that securely engage through an assembling opening and space, allowing for simple and rapid installation while providing a reliable locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clampers are used to hold the handheld electronic device, then the holder can provide basic support, but the clamping effect is unreliable and the device may drop under vibration or external force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two separate locking parts: a first locking part on the handheld electronic device and a second locking part on the holder. This segmentation allows each part to have specialized functions, improving reliability while keeping individual components simple
Solution Approach 2:
The head portion of the first locking part is inserted into the assembling space of the second locking part, with the necking portion connecting it to the device. This nested structure provides secure attachment through geometric interlocking, enhancing clamping reliability without requiring complex mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If conventional clampers are used to attach the device to the holder, then the structure can be simple, but the installation process requires both hands for alignment and is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The first locking part is pre-installed on the handheld electronic device during manufacturing, with the head portion and necking portion already positioned. During installation, users only need to insert the device into the holder, eliminating the need for complex alignment operations and reducing installation time
Solution Approach 2:
The necking portion acts as an intermediary element that connects the head portion to the handheld electronic device. Its tapered structure guides the head portion into the assembling space during insertion, facilitating easy alignment and installation without requiring two-handed operation
3Strength
If the holder uses a simple clamping structure, then the device complexity is low, but the clamping force is insufficient to prevent device damage under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The first locking part features an asymmetric design with a head portion and a necking portion of different dimensions and orientations. The necking portion has a tapered structure that provides mechanical advantage during insertion, enabling strong clamping force with a relatively simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes three-dimensional geometric interlocking between the head portion and the assembling space, rather than relying solely on two-dimensional clamping surfaces. This spatial engagement distributes and amplifies the clamping force, providing strong attachment without requiring a complex multi-component system
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly including a first locking part on a first object and a second locking part on a second object is provided. The first locking part includes a head portion. The second locking part has an assembling opening and an assembling space behind the assembling opening. An area of a projection of the assembling space on a plane where the assembling opening is located is greater than and lies over the area of the assembling opening. The head portion of the first locking part is adapted to enter the assembling space through the assembling opening along an assembling direction, and then adapted to reach a locking position in the assembling space by moving along an engaging direction parallel to the surface.