Compliant magnetic locking mechanism

A method of using a compliant magnetic locking mechanism to attach a cover to a computing device, comprising:

• attaching a magnetic key to an exterior surface of the cover, wherein a first radial arrangement of magnetic or ferromagnetic inserts seated within the compliant magnetic locking mechanism align with a second radial arrangement of magnetic or ferromagnetic inserts within the magnetic key;
• fitting the cover within a cover recess in a device body;
• rotating the magnetic key, which induces a corresponding rotation of the compliant magnetic locking mechanism from an unlocked position to a locked position, the compliant magnetic locking mechanism including:
• a rotatable hub including the first radial arrangement of magnetic or ferromagnetic inserts seated within the cover;
• one or more arms, each extending outwardly from the hub within the cover;
• and
• one or more latches, each attached to one of the arms, wherein:
• the unlocked position of the rotatable hub pulls inward on the arms and retracts the latches within the cover;
• and
• the locked position of the rotatable hub presses outward on the arms and extends the latches from the cover into latch receptacles within the device body, thereby locking the cover to the device body;
• and
• detaching the magnetic key from the exterior surface of the cover.

A computing device comprising:

• a device body including a cover recess and one or more latch receptacles;
• and
• a cover fit within the cover recess, the cover including:
• a mechanism housing;
• and
• a compliant magnetic locking mechanism including:
• a rotatable hub including a first radial arrangement of magnetic or ferromagnetic inserts seated within the mechanism housing;
• one or more arms, each extending outwardly from the hub within the mechanism housing;
• and
• one or more latches, each attached to one of the arms, wherein:
• a first position of the rotatable hub presses outward on the arms and extends the latches from the cover into the latch receptacles within the device body, thereby locking the cover to the device body, and
• a second position of the rotatable hub pulls inward on the arms and retracts the latches out of the latch receptacles within the device body, thereby unlocking the cover from the device body.