Flexible Hinge Input Device Cover with Magnetic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for attaching input devices to mobile computing devices alternate between providing significant protection and ease of installation/removal, but often compromise on one or the other, failing to offer a balance between secure connection and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A flexible hinge and removable attachment system that uses a combination of mechanical and magnetic coupling, along with a support layer and mid-spine structure, to securely connect and protect input devices while allowing for various orientations and easy removal, similar to a book cover, using protrusions and cavities for secure binding and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional attachment techniques provide significant protection through secure connection, then device protection is improved, but ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment systems (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic cover automatically attaches to the computing device through magnetic attraction when brought close, and can be easily removed by pulling away. This substitution provides secure protection through strong magnetic force while simultaneously enabling easy installation and removal without tools or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment parameter from mechanical interlocking to magnetic field interaction. By utilizing magnetic field strength as the attachment mechanism, the system achieves both strong holding force for device protection and easy separation by overcoming the magnetic force, thus resolving the contradiction between secure connection and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible hinge is used to allow movement and multiple orientations, then ease of operation is improved, but protection of internal conductors deteriorates due to repeated connection and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexible hinge mechanical connection system with a magnetic attachment system. This eliminates the physical flexing and repeated connection/removal cycles that damaged conductors in hinge-based designs. The magnetic system allows the cover to attach and detach without mechanical stress on internal conductors, while still providing movement and multiple orientations through the magnetic coupling mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic attachment is used for easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical strength of connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the magnetic field strength parameter to achieve the desired balance. By carefully selecting magnet strength and configuration, the system provides sufficient connection strength to hold the cover securely during normal use and protect the device, while still allowing easy removal when magnetic force is overcome by pulling. This parameter optimization resolves the apparent contradiction between connection strength and ease of removal.
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 solution provides a secure physical and communicative connection that protects components during movement, supports multiple orientations, and allows for easy removal, balancing protection and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible hinge and removable attachment system that uses a combination of mechanical and magnetic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible hinge spine techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.