1. Field of the Invention
The described embodiments generally pertain to mechanical fastener that is used to join two (or more) objects or surfaces together while allowing for the regular or eventual separation of the objects or surfaces. In particular, the mechanical fastener is a compact integrated latch system well suited for use in small hand held electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many portable electronic devices include enclosures used to contain sensitive electronic components that must be protected from the outside environment. If these enclosures are accessible to a user, then some form of a protection, such as a lid or other such covering, can be used to protect the contents of the enclosure from the outside environment. However, the lid must be able to be removed or at least displaced in order to provide the user with suitable access to the enclosure in order to service any components included therein. For example, if the portable electronic device is powered by replaceable batteries that must be replaced when needed, then the portable electronic device can include an enclosure that can take the form of a battery compartment into which the batteries can be placed. The battery compartment will generally include a lid that can be temporarily removed or set aside in order to provide a user with access to the battery compartment in order to replace any batteries as needed. Generally, the lid is latched into place using a conventional latch system such as that shown in
where κ is torsion spring constant and θ is angle of twist from equilibrium required to maintain lid 104 in the closed state. In this way, restoring force Fr (and the overall latching characteristics of latch system 100) can be seen to be tightly coupled to the material nature and the geometry of lid 106. It is this tight coupling of the characteristics of latch system 100 and the geometry and material of housing 108 that can limit a product designer's ability to provide a finished product with a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient.
Although latch designs generally work well, in many instances it would be desirable to provide an integrated latch system having characteristics that do not unduly burden a product design and that is at least compact in nature and aesthetically pleasing in both the latched and unlatched state.
An integrated latch system is described. The integrated latch system including at least a latch, a keeper, and a discrete actuator. In a closed state, the actuator is in direct contact with the keeper and applies a first force to the keeper, the latch applies a second force to the keeper, the first and the second force cooperating to engage the latch and the keeper. In transitioning from the closed state to the open state, a releasing force is applied to the latch, the latch moving at least a predetermined distance in response to the releasing force thereby causing the latch and the keeper to disengage. The actuator applies an ejection force onto the keeper and the keeper moves to an open position in response to the ejection force.
In one embodiment, a method of selectively securing access to a recess in a housing by opening and closing a cover. The method can be carried out by performing at least the following operations. Providing a latch system, the latch system including at least a latch, a keeper coupled to the covering, and a discrete actuator in direct physical contact with the keeper. The latch and the actuator cooperate to maintain the latch system in a closed state and cooperate to transition the latch system to an open state.
A computer is disclosed. The computer includes at least a housing forming an enclosure suitably configured to accommodate computer components, a cover pivotably attached to the housing in proximity to the enclosure, wherein in an open state, the cover allows a user access to the enclosure and wherein in a closed state, the cover prevents user access to the enclosure, and an integrated latch system operable coupled to the housing and the cover that allows the user to open and close the cover. The integrated latch system includes a latch, a keeper coupled to the cover, and a discrete actuator. In a closed state, the actuator is in direct contact with the keeper and applies a first force to the keeper, the latch applies a second force to the keeper, the first and the second force cooperate to engage the latch and the keeper. In transitioning from the closed state to the open state, a releasing force is applied to the latch, the latch moving at least a predetermined distance in response to the releasing force thereby causing the latch and the keeper to disengage, the actuator applying an ejection force onto the keeper, and the keeper moving to an open position in response to the ejection force.
The described embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While this application describes several embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended that there be a preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
A number of embodiments of an integrated, low profile latch system are discussed. Generally speaking, as shown by state diagram 200 in
In more specific embodiments, an integrated latch system is described. The integrated latch system can be compact in size and present a substantially uniform appearance to a user in both a latched (closed) and an unlatched (open) state. The integrated latch system can have well defined latching characteristics independent of the material properties or the design of the housing. The integrated latch system can include at least a keeper assembly in direct contact with a discrete actuator. The keeper assembly can include a keeper and a lid, or cover, used to conceal a recess in the housing. The recess can be used to temporarily retain components such as a battery. In a latched state, the lid can cover the recess. The discrete actuator can apply a well defined retention force directly on the keeper. The keeper, in turn, can directly engage the latching mechanism that, in turn, can apply a restraining force to the keeper. The restraining force can constrain the keeper from moving in relation to the latching mechanism and the housing. In order to transition to the unlatched state and uncover the recess, a releasing force that overcomes the restraining force can be applied to the latching mechanism. The releasing force can cause the latching mechanism to dis-engage the keeper. In one embodiment the releasing force causes the latching mechanism to translate in the direction of the applied releasing force at least a pre-defined distance. The pre-defined distance being at least sufficient to cause the latching mechanism and the keeper to physically dis-engage. The actuator can apply an ejection force to the dis-engaged keeper that can compel the keeper to move to an open position in relation to latching mechanism and the housing.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to
Latch 312 can be received by latch receiving area 314 that can be formed as part of housing 304. Latch 312 and latch receiving area 314 can be cooperatively positioned and sized so that when lid 302 is closed, both latch 312 and latch receiving area 314 can engage with one another thus securing lid 302 to housing 304. As shown, latch 312 can protrude from a top portion of housing 304 and latch receiving area 314 can be located in a portion of housing 304 suitable for receiving latch 312 when latch 312 is horizontally translated at least distance “d” to disengage keeper 308. Latch 312 and latch receiving area 314 can be widely varied. For example, latch 312 may be movably affixed to housing 304. In this way, as shown in
As discussed above, actuator 310 can take many forms. In some embodiments, a spring mechanism along the lines of a compression spring can be incorporated in or coupled with actuator 310. In so doing, when a user wishes to close lid 302, the user applies a closing force Fclose to lid 302 that, in turn, forces keeper 308 to move actuator 310 distance “x”. In this way, potential energy (U) can then stored in the compression spring of actuator 310 according to equation (2)
U=1/2kx2 eq (2)
Clearly, operating characteristics of latch system 300 are only dependent upon the properties of actuator 310, namely, the spring coefficient k. In contrast, conventional latch system 100 exhibits behavior that is dependent on both the material used to form the lid (keff) and the design of the housing (the allowable θ). By providing a discrete actuator having its own characteristics that can be established with little or no consideration of the material used to fabricate housing 302, there can be little or no coupling between the properties of latch system 300 and that of housing 304. In this way, the product designer is given substantially greater latitude in the industrial design aspects of any products that utilize latch system 300.
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, although the invention is primarily directed at a recess found in portable electronic devices, the invention can be well suited for other applications.