Split Anchor Latch for Information Handling System Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties accessing information handling systems integrated into display stands due to awkward positioning and excessive difficulty in finding and activating the latch, which can result in damage to the system.
Innovation Solution
A split anchor automatic state holding latch system that allows for one-handed operation, automatically securing and releasing the cover of the information handling system housing, ensuring secure closure and easy access by maintaining the latch in an unlocked position until the cover is removed and resetting to a locked position upon reinsertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the information handling system is integrated into a display stand with a cover, then the system is secured and hidden from sight, but the latch becomes difficult to find and activate due to awkward positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is inverted by making the latch member movable between positions where it can be easily actuated from the exterior. The actuator extends through the housing wall, allowing users to operate the latch from a convenient position rather than requiring access to an awkward interior location. This inversion of the traditional latch design resolves the contradiction by maintaining security while dramatically improving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator serves as an intermediary element that transfers the user's external force to the internal latch mechanism. The actuator extends through the housing wall, mediating between the user's hand and the latch member, thereby enabling easy external operation of the otherwise inaccessible internal locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If a robust locking mechanism is used to secure the information handling system, then security is improved, but the force required to activate the latch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism employs dynamic elements including a spring-loaded latch member that can be easily deflected by a small actuating force. The spring provides the necessary retention force to maintain the locked state securely, while the latch member's ability to flex and move allows it to be activated with minimal force. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between robust security and easy actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: a resilient latch member for easy actuation, a spring for providing retention force, and a locking element for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the latch member for low actuation force and the spring for high retention force - thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of opening and security.
3Extent of automation
If the latch is designed to remain unlocked until the cover is removed, then automated state holding is achieved, but the latch must engage and disengage precisely which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the interaction between the spring-loaded latch member and the anchor. When the cover is inserted, the latch member automatically engages with the locking element. When the cover is removed, the spring automatically pushes the latch member to disengage from the anchor. This self-service mechanism achieves automated state holding without requiring complex sensors, motors, or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring-loaded latch member automatically responds to the presence or absence of the cover by engaging or disengaging from the anchor. The spring provides the necessary force to maintain the latch in the appropriate state without requiring external control. This dynamic behavior achieves automated state holding while keeping the mechanism simple and reliable.
Data Source
AI summary
A display stand cavity accepts an information handling system secured with a cover over the cavity held in place by a latch. The latch interacts with a locking element of the display stand to maintain the cover in position and slides to an unlocked position to release the cover for removal. An anchor engages with the latch to hold the latch in the unlocked position while the cover remains in place. The anchor releases the latch when the cover is removed from the display stand. If the cover remains in place, application of greater than a predetermined force on the latch towards the closed position overcomes the anchor to re-engage the latch to couple the cover to the display stand.