Push-to-Release Cover Latch Mechanism for Portable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The decreasing size of portable electronic devices has led to a need for a cover latch mechanism without a central opening, as traditional designs with central openings are aesthetically unappealing and can damage users' nails when opening the device.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly featuring two cover extensions with abutments, an angular spring with upwards arcuate ends, and housing extensions with protrusions and guides, allowing for a force-applied unlocking mechanism without a central opening, utilizing a resilient cover and angular spring to move abutments outward and unlock the cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cover latch with a central opening is used, then the cover can be opened, but the device becomes aesthetically unappealing and user nails may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the opening from the center of the device and relocates it to the rear edge. The cover latch mechanism is repositioned so that the opening is no longer in the central opening area but at the rear of the device, eliminating the aesthetic issue while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is moved from a two-dimensional central position to a three-dimensional rear edge position. This spatial repositioning allows the opening to be located at the rear of the device rather than in the center, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and appearance
2Volume of moving object
If the device size is decreased, then portability is improved, but the cover latch mechanism becomes difficult to accommodate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover latch mechanism is repositioned to utilize the rear edge space of the device, a dimension that was not effectively used in traditional central latch designs. This allows the latch to be accommodated in a compact form factor without increasing overall device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The cover latch uses a resilient member that can dynamically deform to engage and disengage the locking mechanism. This dynamic property allows the latch to function effectively in a compact space, accommodating the reduced device size while maintaining reliable cover securing
3Shape
If the opening is moved to the rear of the device, then aesthetics are improved, but the opening may still be accessible to users
Solution Approach 1:
The cover extensions are segmented with abutments that interact with corresponding protrusions on the housing extensions. This segmentation creates a distributed locking mechanism along the rear edge, preventing concentrated stress on any single point and reducing the risk of nail damage while maintaining aesthetic appearance
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
Enables secure and aesthetically pleasing operation of portable electronic devices by eliminating the need for a central opening, ensuring user safety and maintaining device compactness.
Implementation Method 1
A cover assembly features two cover extensions with abutments, an angular spring with upwards arcuate ends, and housing extensions with protrusions and guides, allowing for a force-applied unlocking mechanism without a central opening, utilizing a resilient cover and angular spring to move abutments outward and unlock the cover
Data Source
AI summary
A cover assembly for a portable electronic device is described. The cover assembly has a cover comprising: two cover extensions extending substantially perpendicular from the cover. Each of the two cover extensions has an abutment towards a center. An angular spring with two wings and two upwards arcuate ends is included in the cover assembly, each of the wings forming a bias angle relative to a line between the two ends. Two housing extensions extend from a surface of the portable electronic device, each of the housing extensions has a protrusion mating the corresponding abutment, and a guide having a form substantially corresponding to the upwards arcuate end. When a force is applied to the center of the angular spring, the bias angle decreases and the upwards arcuate ends are urged upwards, thereby causing the abutments moving outwards, and unlocking the protrusions.