Flexible Display Film Across the Hinge for Adaptive Keyboard Rows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Convertible information handling systems face inefficiencies due to reduced key size and vertical travel in portable housings, leading to hunting and pecking for function keys, which disrupts user workflow and attention from displayed images.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display film extends across a hinge and adjacent a mechanical keyboard, presenting a touch function row, with a timing controller under the keyboard to manage visual images and key inputs, reducing the vertical stack and enhancing thermal venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the keyboard is integrated into the portable housing, then the system becomes more compact and portable, but the key size and vertical travel are reduced leading to hunting and pecking
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is segmented into two distinct portions: a mechanical keyboard portion with full-size keys for primary input, and a virtual keyboard portion displayed on the flexible display for secondary input. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible display extends across the hinge from the lid housing portion to the main housing portion, utilizing the hinge space and creating a multi-dimensional keyboard layout. This dimensional extension allows the virtual keyboard to complement the mechanical keyboard without increasing the overall footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible display film extends across the hinge, then the display provides full functionality and aesthetic appeal, but the display film is subject to stress and curvature challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The display film is segmented into a first portion on the lid housing portion and a second portion on the main housing portion, with the hinge acting as a separation point. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific location and reduces stress concentration at the hinge.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible display film is designed to accommodate the hinge curvature, forming a curved surface that follows the hinge's geometry. This curvature design allows the display to flex smoothly during hinge movement without creating stress concentration points that would compromise durability.
3Temperature
If the timing controller is placed under the mechanical keyboard, then the vertical stack is reduced improving thermal venting, but the controller must be integrated into existing keyboard space
Solution Approach 1:
The timing controller is merged with the mechanical keyboard assembly, utilizing the existing keyboard structure and space. This integration allows the controller to be housed within the keyboard's vertical profile, reducing the overall stack height and creating pathways for thermal ventilation.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system couples a flexible display film to a housing lid portion and across a hinge to a housing main portion where the flexible display film couples to a timing controller under a mechanical keyboard coupled to the housing main portion. A touch function row presented at the flexible display film between the hinge and mechanical keyboard accepts function key inputs. Mechanical keys coupled in a row over the flexible display film accept input as depressions detected by a touch detection surface of the flexible display film, switches disposed under the flexible display film or a membrane board disposed over the flexible display film.