Abstract:
A portable electronic device includes a first housing, a latching mechanism, and a keypad module. The keypad module can be removed from the electronic device without having to take apart the electronic device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The exemplary embodiment relates to portable electronic devices and, particularly to a portable electronic device having a detachable keypad module. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Typically, a portable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a keypad module. The first housing securely attaches to the second housing to define an enclosing space to accommodate electronic components of the portable electronic device. The keypad module is latched inside the enclosing space. 
         [0005]    However, to replace the keypad module, the housings of the portable electronic device have to be detached/separated. Thus, it is inconvenient and time consuming. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Many aspects of the exemplary portable electronic device using the housing can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the exemplary housing. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic and exploded view of a portable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment, showing one aspect. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is another schematic and exploded view of the portable electronic device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic and assembled view of the first housing of a portable electronic device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic and assembled view of the portable electronic device in  FIG. 2 , with the keypad module removed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic and assembled view of the portable electronic device in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]      FIGS. 1 and 5  show a portable electronic device  100 , such as a mobile phone, including a first housing  10 , a second housing  20  secured with the first housing  10 , a keypad module  30 , and two latching mechanisms  40 . The keypad module  30  can be detachably assembled to the first housing  10  by the latching mechanisms  40 . The latching mechanisms  40  can be rotatably secured to the first housing  10 . 
         [0014]    The keypad module  30  is generally rectangular and includes a first end  32 , an opposite second end  34 , and a first surface  36  facing the second housing  20 . The keypad module  30  has two blocks  322  protruding from the first end  32 . The blocks  322  are used to latch to the first housing  10 . The keypad module  30  further has two hooks  362  protruding from the first surface  36  adjacent to the second end  34 . The hooks  362  are used to latch to the latching mechanism  40 . 
         [0015]    Each latching mechanism  40  includes a main body  42 , a securing portion  44  adjacent to one end of the main body  42 , and a fixing portion  46  adjacent to another end of the main body  42 . The securing portion  44  and the fixing portion  46  extend from the same side surface of the main body  42 . The securing portion  44  is substantially L-shaped, and includes a connecting portion  442  and a resisting portion  444  distal to the main body  42 . The connecting portion  442  connects the resisting portion  444  to the main body  42 , and thus defines a notch  446  therebetween. The notch  446  is configured for releasing the hook  362  from the corresponding resisting portion  444 . The fixing portion  46  extends away from the securing portion  44 . The fixing portion  46  defines an aperture  462  for securely engaging the latching mechanism  40  with the first housing  10 . The latching mechanism  40  should be elastic, so the main body  42  can be deformed to drive the securing portion  44  to move relative to the first housing  10  when pressing the main body  42  and then return to its non-deformed position. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first housing  10  includes a peripheral wall  12  and a bottom wall  14  connecting the peripheral wall  12 . The bottom wall  14  can have a display  142  arranged in one end, and a through opening  144  corresponding to the keypad module  30  defined in the other end. 
         [0017]    The peripheral wall  12  defines two slots  122  facing the through opening  144  and corresponding to the blocks  322 . The slots  122  are used to receive the blocks  322  therein (seen in  FIG. 3 ). The peripheral wall  12  further defines two opposite openings  124 . The openings  124  are configured for accommodating part of the main body  42 . The first housing  10  has two poles  146  corresponding to the apertures  462  protruding upwardly from the bottom wall  14 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , during assembly, the latching mechanism  40  is securely attached to the first housing  10 . At this time, the poles  146  are received and securely positioned (e.g., hot-melted) in the apertures  462 . The main bodies  42  are partially accommodated in the openings  124 . The first housing  10  is securely adhered to the second housing  20 . The keypad module  30  is aligned with the through opening  144  of the first housing  10  and the blocks  322  latched into the slots  122 . The keypad module  30  is pressed toward the first housing  10  until the resisting portion  444  of the securing portion  44  latches with the hooks  362 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , to remove the keypad module  30  from the portable electronic device  100 , the main body  42  is pressed inward to bias the securing portion  44  until the notches  446  align with the hooks  362 . The hook  362  is released from the securing portion  44 , therefore, the keypad module  30  may easily be removed from the portable electronic device  100 . 
         [0020]    It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.