Abstract:
An electronic device includes: a framework; a number of modules assembled detachably to the framework; and a number of latching portions assembling the modules on the framework. Each latching portion includes a ball spring beam having a first positioning portion and a first contacting beam, a reinforcement beam having a second positioning portion attached to the first positioning portion and a second contacting beam spaced from the first contacting beam, and a screw affixing the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion to the framework. The first contacting beam has a tuber mated with the module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device with a number of latching portions. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Arts 
         [0004]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20150288422 discloses a system for enabling a chassis-coupled modular mobile electronic device. The system includes a modular electronic device enablement system, a set of module couplers, and a framework or chassis. The module couplers preferably couple modules mechanically to the chassis. The module couplers may have detents or structures that resist movement of the modules when they are fully coupled, including spring-loaded balls mounted on a surface of the module that fits into corresponding shallow holes on a complementary surface of the module coupler. The module coupler may also retain the module using a latching mechanism, e.g., a pin that when extended prevents the module from being removed, or a snap latch that holds the module tight against the contact surfaces of the module coupler when engaged. The module couplers preferably have mechanical guides or other guides to aid in aligning the module during coupling and in module retention through friction. 
         [0005]    An electronic device having improved latching portions is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a number of latching portions for grouping a plurality of modules on a chassis or framework. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above object, an electronic device comprises: a framework; a plurality of modules assembled detachably to the framework; and a plurality of latching portions assembling the modules on the framework, each latching portion comprising a ball spring beam comprising a first positioning portion and a first contacting beam, a reinforcement beam having a second positioning portion attached to the first positioning portion and a second contacting beam spaced from the first contacting beam, and a screw affixing the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion to the framework, the first contacting beam having a tuber mated with the module. 
         [0008]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, assembled view of an electronic device in a first embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view of a latching portion of the electronic device in the first embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the latching portion of the electronic device in the first embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective, exploded view of the latching portion of the electronic device in a second embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the latching portion of the electronic device in the second embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective, assembled view of the electronic device in the second embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective, exploded view of the latching portion of the electronic device in a third embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an left view of the latching portion of the electronic device in the third embodiment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a back view of two modules attached to the electronic device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , an electronic device  100  includes a framework  1 , a number of latching portions  3 ,  3 ′,  3 ″ and a number of modules  101  detachably attached to the framework  1  via the latching portions  3 ,  3 ′,  3 ″. The framework  1  extends in a horizontal direction and defines a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a vertical direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction. The modules  101  are attached to/detached from the framework  1  along the vertical direction. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 and 7-8  in a first through third embodiments, each latching portion  3 ,  3 ′,  3 ″ includes a screw or attaching pin  31 ,  31 ′,  31 ″ a ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″, and a reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. The screw  31 ,  31 ′,  31 ″ is used for fastening the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ and the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ to the framework  1 . The screw  31 ,  31 ′,  31 ″ includes a base portion  311 ,  311 ′,  311 ″ and a post portion  312 ,  312 ′,  312 ″ extending upwardly from the base portion  311 ,  311 ′,  311 ″ along the vertical direction. The diameter of the base portion  311 ,  311 ′,  311 ″ is longer than the diameter of the post portion  312 ,  312 ′,  312 ″. The reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ is fastened to the screw  31 ,  31 ′,  31 ″ to ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″. 
         [0021]    The ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ includes a first positioning portion  321 ,  321 ′,  321 ″ a first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″ in a different plane with the first positioning portion  321 ,  321 ′,  321 ″ and a stepped portion  323 ,  323 ′,  323 ″ connected the first positioning portion  321 ,  321 ′,  321 ″ and the first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″. The first positioning portion  321 ,  321 ′,  321 ″ defines a first opening  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″ and the post portion  312 ,  312 ′,  312 ″ is inserted through the first opening  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″. The first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″ includes a number of tubers  324 ,  324 ′,  324 ″ latching with the modules. The tubers  324 ,  324 ′,  324 ″ are formed at one surface of the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ separated from the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. 
         [0022]    The reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ includes a second positioning portion  331 ,  331 ′,  331 ″ and a second contacting beam  332 ,  332 ′,  332 ″ coplanar with the second positioning portion  331 ,  331 ′,  331 ″. The second positioning portion  331 ,  331 ′,  331 ″ defines a second opening for insertion of the post portion  312 ,  312 ′,  312 ″. When the screw  31 ,  31 ′,  31 ″ is inserted though the first opening  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″ and the second opening  330 ,  330 ′,  330 ″, the first positioning portion  321 ,  321 ′,  321 ″ and the second positioning portion  331 ,  331 ′,  331 ″ are connected with each other by spot welding for preventing the relative rotation between the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ and the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. The first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″ is separated from the second contacting beam  332 ,  332 ′,  332 ″ along the vertical direction. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 3 , the latching portions  3  in the first embodiment are shown. The second positioning portion  331  and the second contacting beam  332  are located at two sides of the reinforcement portion  33 . The first positioning portion  321  is located at one side of the stepped portion  323  corresponding to the second positioning portion. The first contacting beam  322  is located at the other side of the stepped portion  323 . The first opening  320  is located at one side of the first positioning portion  321 . The second opening  330  is located at one side of the second positioning portion  331  corresponding to the first opening  320 . The screw  31  is inserted through the first opening  320  and the second opening  330  to connect the ball spring beam  32  and the reinforcement portion  33 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 5 , the latching portions  3 ′ in the second embodiment are shown. The second positioning portion  331 ′ is located at a middle of the reinforcement portion  33 ′. The second opening  330 ′ is located at a middle of the second positioning portion  331 ′. The second contacting beam  332 ′ is divided into two parts located at two sides of the second positioning portion  331 ′. The first positioning portion  321 ′ is located at a middle of the ball spring beam  32 ′ corresponding to the second positioning portion  331 ′. The first opening  320 ′ is located at a middle of the first positioning portion  321 ′. The first contacting beam  322 ′ is divided into two parts located at two sides of the first positioning portion  321 ′ and connected with the stepped portion  323 ′. The screw  31 ′ is inserted through the first opening  320 ′ and the second opening  330 ′ to connect the ball spring beam  32 ′ and the reinforcement portion  33 ′. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 8 , the latching portions  3 ″ in the third embodiment are shown. The first contacting beam  322 ″ is divided into two parts extending from the first positioning portion  321 ″. The two parts of the first contacting beam  322 ″ have therebetween a first angle between 0 and 180 degree. The second contacting beam  332 ″ is divided into two parts extending from the second positioning portion  331 ″. The two parts of the second contacting beam  332 ″ have therebetween a second angle equal to the first angle. 
         [0026]    The ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ and the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ are made of two different materials. The thickness of the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ is smaller than the thickness of the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. The ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ is greater than the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ in ductility and the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ is weaker than the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ in strength. When the modules  101  are assembled to framework  1 , the modules  101  are resisted against by the tubers  324  of the latching portions  3 . The first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″ is susceptible to rotate caused by compression for the ductility of the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″. The reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ could support the ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ for the strength of the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. The first contacting beam  322 ,  322 ′,  322 ″ is deflected downwardly into contacting with the second contacting beam  332 ,  332 ′,  332 ″. The ball spring beam  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ continues to press downwardly against the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ to reduce the amount of compression avoiding permanent deformation of the reinforcement beam  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″. 
         [0027]    When the modules  101  of the electronic device  100  need to be replaced, the modules  101  are detached from the framework  1 , the retention force between the framework  1  and the modules  101  needs to be overcome. 
         [0028]    While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been shown and described, equivalent modifications and changes known to persons skilled in the art according to the spirit of the present invention are considered within the scope of the present invention as described in the appended claims.