Audio/video electronic apparatus, in particular a multimedia car radio, with a removable front panel

An audio/video electronic apparatus including:

• a case (100) for integration into a motor vehicle dashboard;
• a front panel element (200), removably mounted on the case;
• and
• a fixation mechanism that assembles and removably affixes the front panel element to the case, the fixation mechanism including:
• at first ends of the front panel element and of the case, a dismountable magnetic hinge comprising a first pair of magnetic elements (124, 224) having one of the first pair arranged on the case and another of the first pair arranged on the front panel element, such that the first pair are opposite to each other and in mutual attraction;
• and
• at second ends of the front panel element and of the case that are opposed to the first ends, a locking mechanism having a structure that locks the front panel element to the case,
• characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises:
• a lock (212), wherein the lock (212) is a mechanical lock (214, 216, 218) having a first lock element arranged on the case and a second lock element arranged on the front panel element, wherein the first lock element and the second lock element fit together to releasably lock the front panel element to the case;
• and
• a second pair of magnetic elements (126, 226) positioned separate from the lock, having one of the second pair arranged on the case and another of the second pair arranged on the front panel element such that the second pair are opposite to each other and in mutual repulsion;
• wherein the front panel element is mobile relative to the case between:
• a closed position, where the front panel element is secured to the case by locking of the lock;
• a half-open position, where the front panel element is disconnected from the case at the second ends after the locking mechanism has been unlocked, but remains coupled to the case at the first ends such that the magnetic elements of the first pair are side by side and the magnetic elements of the second pair are remote from each other;
• and
• a position of removal of the front panel element, where the front panel element is fully disconnected and uncoupled from the case on both the first ends and the second ends;
• and further wherein a force of I attraction of the magnetic elements of the first pair, a force of repulsion of the magnetic elements of the second pair, as well as a mass and arrangement of the front panel element are chosen so that the half-open position is a stable static position in absence of external stress.