Expandable Pen With Biased Flexing For Thin Device Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin information handling devices, such as tablets, face challenges in accommodating pens of desirable diameters without increasing thickness, as conventional docking mechanisms disrupt aesthetics and functionality, and existing solutions are inadequate for maintaining user comfort and ergonomics.
Innovation Solution
An expandable pen design featuring an internal portion, a flexible external portion, and biased components that apply force to flex the external portion, allowing the pen to adapt from a collapsed diameter of approximately 5 mm to an expanded diameter of 8 mm or more, enabling comfortable use without increasing device thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional docking mechanism is used to accommodate a pen of desirable diameter, then the pen can be properly stored, but the device thickness must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pen incorporates an expandable structure that dynamically changes its diameter. The pen body includes an internal portion and an external portion that can be flexed between expanded and collapsed states, allowing the pen to adapt its size for both storage and usage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The pen's physical parameter (diameter) is changed through the biased component that applies force to flex the external portion. This allows the pen to transition between a collapsed diameter of approximately 5 mm for thin-device storage and an expanded diameter of 8 mm or more for comfortable user interaction
2Length of moving object
If the device thickness is reduced to maintain thin profile, then aesthetics and portability are improved, but the ability to accommodate standard diameter pens is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pen uses a dynamic expansion mechanism where the external portion can be flexed outward from the internal portion. This allows the pen to provide full ergonomic diameter (8 mm or more) during use while collapsing to a compact size (5 mm) for storage in thin devices
Solution Approach 2:
The pen structure nests the external portion around the internal portion, with the biased component positioned between them. When collapsed, the external portion folds against the internal portion, creating a compact nested configuration that fits within thin device profiles
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
The expandable pen provides a comfortable and ergonomic pen experience for users while maintaining the thin profile of devices, allowing for easy docking and use with pens of standard diameters without compromising the device's appearance or functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a biased component that is flexible and positioned between the internal portion and the external portion; the biased component applying force to the external portion to flex it away from the internal portion
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect provides an expandable pen, including: an internal portion; an external portion that is flexible; and a biased component that is flexible and positioned between the internal portion and the external portion; the biased component applying force to the external portion to flex it away from the internal portion. Other aspects are described and claimed.