Roller Latch Mechanism for Effortless Mobile Device Cover Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic mobile devices with removable covers often require significant effort to unlock and remove, frequently necessitating the use of additional tools due to the difficulty in prying the cover away from the device base.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism comprising a roller pivotally supported by the base and a catch on the cover, with a detent mechanism and torsion spring, allows for easy transition between locked and unlocked positions, facilitating the removal of the cover by engaging and disengaging the latch mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates because the cover becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a roller that can dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states. The roller is rotatably mounted and can be rotated by the user to disengage from the latch protrusion, enabling easy cover removal. This dynamic element transforms a static, difficult-to-open latch into a user-friendly mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller acts as an intermediary element between the user's manual input and the latch engagement. When the user rotates the roller, it mediates the force transmission to disengage the latch protrusion from the cover, providing a mechanical advantage that makes cover removal effortless without requiring prying tools.
2Reliability
If a secure latch engagement is implemented, then reliability of cover retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The roller serves as a mechanical intermediary that translates user rotation into effective latch disengagement. The roller's rotation creates leverage that reliably releases the latch protrusion from the cover, ensuring consistent unlocking without requiring excessive force or specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller's curved, cylindrical surface provides mechanical advantage during rotation. The curved geometry allows the user to apply rotational force that efficiently translates into linear motion for disengaging the latch, making the unlocking process smooth and reliable.
3Device complexity
If additional tools are required for cover removal, then ease of operation deteriorates, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the roller component. The roller is directly accessible to the user and can be rotated by hand to automatically disengage the latch and release the cover. This eliminates the need for external tools like paper clips or pen tips, as the mechanism serves itself through user interaction with the roller.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic mobile device comprises a base defining a compartment opening and a cover movably supported by the base to restrict access to the compartment opening. The device further comprises a latch supported by one of the base and the cover and a catch pivotably supported by the other of the base and the cover. The catch pivots in a first direction to engage and move the latch relative to the catch and thereby move at least a portion of the cover away from the compartment opening.