Electropermanent Magnet Keyboard Actuation in Convertible Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional convertible devices rely on expensive and prone-to-failure mechanically operated sliders to adjust the position of keyboards between operating modes, which increases the device's cost and susceptibility to mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically operated system using an electropermanent magnet to control the movement of a slider associated with the keyboard, where an electrical pulse is transmitted to the electropermanent magnet based on sensor data or user inputs, affecting the magnetic field and thereby the keyboard's vertical position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically operated sliders are used to adjust keyboard position, then the device can transition between operating modes, but the device cost increases and mechanical failures become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slider system with an electromagnetic actuation system using electropermanent magnets. These magnets are controlled by pulse transmitters that switch the magnetic field on and off to move the keyboard between positions. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and failure points while maintaining the keyboard position adjustment capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from continuous mechanical movement to discrete magnetic state switching. The electropermanent magnets can be switched between two stable magnetic states (on/off) using electrical pulses, which correspond to different keyboard positions. This parameter change from mechanical continuity to magnetic discreteness reduces complexity and improves reliability while maintaining functional adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically operated sliders are used to adjust keyboard position, then the device can transition between operating modes, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical sliders with electropermanent magnets and pulse transmitters. The magnetic system requires fewer precision-machined parts and eliminates the need for mechanical wear components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the keyboard position adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the mechanical slider component from the system, replacing it with a magnetic field-based actuation mechanism. By removing the mechanical slider subsystem entirely, the patent reduces both manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the essential function of keyboard position adjustment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the mechanical complexity and cost of keyboard adjustment, enhancing the reliability and user experience by enabling smooth transitions between device modes without the need for expensive and failure-prone mechanical components.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, responsive to the receiving and using a pulse transmitter, the electrical pulse to the electropermanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
affecting a movement of a keyboard of the information handling device based on the received electrical pulse
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to transmit an electrical pulse to an electropermanent magnet; transmitting, responsive to the receiving and using a pulse transmitter, the electrical pulse to the electropermanent magnet; and affecting a movement of a keyboard of the information handling device based on the received electrical pulse. Other aspects are described and claimed.