DESIGN CHALLENGE –

APPLE PRODUCT DESIGN

PRATIK PARMAR
PROBLEM STATEMENT
REQUIREMENTS

USER REQUIREMENTS FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Simple to Operate The maximum pressing force to not exceed 3lbs

Easy to access to batteries Max. travel to actuate the mechanism 3mm

Accidental Prone Should sustain a 2ft fall without the door opening

Water-Proof High reliability. 1000cycles (open-close)

{assumption}
Aesthetically pleasing, door to flush with body Positional Accuracy to allow for sealing using a
gasket and flush door with body
Light Weight & compact
INSPIRATIONS

• Push Push Mechanism: Used widely across industries. This mechanism uses a one-way
stepped path used to attain locking and unlocking at specified destinations.
• Applications: Sunglass holder, MicroSd Card slots

• Bi-Stable Compliant Mechanism: These Mechanisms have two stable equilibrium

positions within their range of motions. The main advantage is, ability to stay in two
positions without power input and despite small external disturbances, and it uses
deflection of its members to gain momentum rather relying on the traditional rigid joints.
• Applications: switches, valves, closures, clasps and in the micro electro-mechanical systems
too
CONCEPTS
Concept 1: Push-push mechanism

Used widely across industries. The driver pin (driven due to

force thru the push button) travels along a one-way path
having designated locking and unlocking positions.

Concept 2: Locking slider/rockers mechanism (adopted from a

previous design challenge)

The mechanism relies on sliders which locks and unlocks due

to traverse travel of the sliders which are actuated by
downward moment of door (for locking) and button (for
unlocking)
CONCEPTS
Concept 3: Bi-stable complaint latching
mechanism

The mechanism depends on the stability

modes of the flexure material. The
stability mode of beams helps lock and
unlock the door. This mechanism is very
compact and if designed properly can be
very precise.
 CONCEPT SELECTION – DECISION MAKING
Concepts Pro’s Con’s Design Impact
1 Easy Design, Difficult to make compact as larger Effective locking mechanism.
Reliable travel needed for required button Increase weight of device.
displacment Door flush may not be
feasible
2 Compact Too many parts adding to design Can make the assembly of
complexity miniature parts complicated
Increase cost
3 Can be made very compact Difficult to design Very reliable latch
Highly Reliable Cost effective
Accident prone Door can be flushed to body
Precise No complicated machining in
Very few parts the body
No torsional spring needed to pop Can be made water-proof due
the door to precise positioning of the
door
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