Design of a cover locking mechanism with a miniature solenoid

Abstract

In this investigation, a locking mechanism was proposed for electronic products that have battery covers. The exterior design of electronic products has been advanced with diversified materials including polymers and metals. Unlike polymers such as polycarbonate, metals are not easily deformed. Therefore, products with a metallic exterior have an added button to release the battery cover, which limits the quality of the exterior design. In this study, a new design without a release button that included a miniature solenoid inside the product was proposed. The Taguchi method was used to maximize the attraction force of the solenoid while, at the same time, minimizing its dimensions.