Flexible Winding Input Unit for Portable Data Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with small screens face inconvenience in data input due to the bulkiness and carrying difficulties of traditional mini-keyboards and foldable keyboards, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A writing device with a flexible input unit that includes a winding mechanism, a sensing electrode layer, and a protection layer, allowing for a compact and versatile touch keyboard or handwriting tablet that can be easily carried and converted between keyboard and handwriting modes, with optional wireless connectivity and power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mini-keyboards or foldable keyboards are used, then data input convenience is improved, but device portability deteriorates due to considerable space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The input unit is wound around the winding unit like a nested structure, allowing the keyboard to be compactly stored within the receiving chamber when not in use, significantly reducing the volume occupied during portability while maintaining full functionality when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The input unit transitions from a static rigid keyboard to a dynamic flexible structure that can be wound and unwound, allowing it to adapt between a compact stored state and an extended operational state, resolving the contradiction between portability and usability
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical keys are used in portable devices, then input functionality is improved, but device compactness deteriorates due to space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The input unit employs a flexible main body with sensing electrode layers that can detect touch inputs without requiring traditional mechanical key structures, enabling full input functionality while maintaining an extremely thin and compact form factor that does not occupy significant device area
3Volume of moving object
If the input unit is made flexible and wound, then portability is improved, but structural complexity increases due to winding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The winding function is extracted as a separate dedicated winding unit component, simplifying the overall design by isolating the mechanical complexity into a single specialized element rather than integrating it throughout the structure, making the system easier to manufacture and maintain
Data Source
AI summary
A writing device with input unit includes a case and an input unit receiving in the case. The input unit includes a flexible main body, a sensing electrode layer and a protection layer. The flexible main body has a first face and a second face. The sensing electrode layer has a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode disposed on the second face of the flexible main body. The protection layer is correspondingly disposed on the second face of the flexible main body to cover the sensing electrode layer. The writing device with input unit has small volume and is lightweight so that a user can conveniently carry, store and use the writing device with input unit.