Pivotable Electronics Housing Cover Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronics housings with pivotable covers face challenges in securely locking the cover in various positions without damage, while preventing undesired pivoting and ensuring accessibility of the covered region, and often require complex designs tied to the bearing point.
Innovation Solution
The electronics housing features a cover that pivots about a pivot pin with a locking mechanism where the first locking member is on the housing body and the second on the cover, allowing resilient deformation to release the interlocking connection, ensuring secure hold in both open and closed positions without axial forces impairing the lock, and allowing for easy attachment and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If locking means are provided to pivotally lock the cover in at least one pivot angle position, then the cover is secured against undesired pivoting, but the design becomes more complex and requires additional locking members and interlocking connections
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the cover's pivot position. The resilient locking member automatically locks the cover in the closed position and unlocks when the cover is pivoted to the open position, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from a complex multi-component system and implemented through a single resilient locking member that integrates both locking and unlocking functions. This simplifies the locking mechanism by removing unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining the ability to secure the cover in specific positions.
2Device complexity
If the locking member is arranged close to the bearing point, then the structural design is simplified, but axial forces may impair the secure hold of the cover on the housing body
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is positioned at a radial distance from the bearing point, transitioning from an axial arrangement to a radial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the locking force to act perpendicular to the pivot axis, preventing cover displacement without creating axial forces that would compromise the bearing connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking member acts as an intermediary element that transfers the securing function from the bearing point to a radial position. It mediates between the cover and housing body, providing lateral securing forces while allowing the bearing point to focus solely on rotational support without axial load interference.
3Ease of operation
If the interlocking connection is designed for resilient deformation to release the lock, then the locking mechanism becomes easier to operate, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member's material and geometric parameters are optimized to provide controlled resilient deformation. By adjusting the thickness, length, and material properties of the locking member, the design achieves reliable engagement and disengagement through predictable elastic deformation, balancing ease of operation with manufacturability.
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
This design provides a secure, accessible, and cost-effective solution for electronics housings by allowing resilient deformation of locking members to release the interlocking connection, preventing unwanted pivoting, and enabling easy handling and production, while maintaining a secure hold on the housing body.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation of the cover for pivoting out of the pivot angle position results in a resilient deformation of the first locking member and/or second locking member, directed radially with respect to the pivot pin, to release the interlocking connection
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics housing includes: a housing body for attachment to a mounting rail and on which a cover is arranged which is pivotable about a pivot pin, formed on a bearing point, between an open position and a closed position; and a locking device for pivotally locking the cover in at least one pivot angle position via an interlocking connection, which is configured to be released without destruction, between at least a first and a second locking member, wherein, spaced apart from the bearing point in a radial pivot pin direction, the first locking member is arranged on the housing body and the second locking member is arranged on the cover such that actuation of the cover for pivoting out of the pivot angle position produces resilient deformation of the first locking member and/or second locking member, directed radially with respect to the pivot pin, to release the interlocking connection.