Clamshell Switch Assembly for Secondary Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clamshell mobile communication devices face issues with unintentional activation of secondary displays when placed in confined spaces, leading to battery life reduction and security concerns due to accidental engagement of external buttons.

Innovation Solution

A switch assembly is integrated into the device, allowing users to navigate the secondary display by pressing the upper and lower casings together, engaging a switch on the upper casing with an actuator on the lower casing, enabling controlled access to secondary display functions without external button manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If external buttons are provided on the clamshell device for controlling the secondary display, then ease of operation is improved, but unintentional activation occurs when the device is placed in confined spaces, leading to battery life reduction and security concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of navigationVSAvoidunintentional activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the navigation functionality with the device's structural components by integrating actuators into the upper casing and switch into the lower casing. This combines the housing structure with the input mechanism, allowing navigation through the secondary display without requiring separate external buttons that could be accidentally pressed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism consisting of actuators and a switch that are activated by pressing the casings together. This intermediary action requires deliberate user intent to activate, preventing accidental activation while still providing ease of operation for navigating the secondary display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If external buttons are provided on the clamshell device for controlling the secondary display, then ease of operation is improved, but battery life is reduced due to accidental activation of the backlight and functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of navigationVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If external buttons are provided on the clamshell device for controlling the secondary display, then ease of operation is improved, but security concerns arise from accidental access to certain functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of navigationVSAvoidsecurity concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a switch assembly with actuators is integrated into the casings, then unintentional activation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunintentional activation preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2161907B1Communication device with two casings and with an actuatable switch between the two casings

Publication Date: 2010.10.27 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

A wireless device having a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the device, the device including an upper casing including an interior surface having a primary display and an exterior surface having a secondary display, the primary display being active when the device is in an open configuration and the secondary display being active when the device is in a closed configuration, a lower casing including a keypad, a hinge assembly connecting the upper casing to the lower casing and enabling the device to alternate between the open and closed configurations, and a switch assembly including a switch provided in the upper casing and an actuator provided in the lower casing in alignment with the switch, the switch and actuator configured for engaging each other to perform an action when the upper and lower casings are pressed together.