Foldable Device Kickstand Assembly for Assisted Opening Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable computing devices require manual effort to open from a closed configuration, posing accessibility issues for users with atypical fine motor skills and hand strength, and existing kickstands lack ease of deployment and stability in various orientations.
Innovation Solution
A kickstand assembly for foldable computing devices that utilizes magnets and sliding mechanisms to automatically deploy and secure frames in an open position, allowing easy transition from a closed to an open configuration and providing stable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual effort is required to open foldable devices, then structural simplicity is maintained, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The kickstand assembly automatically deploys and opens the foldable device without requiring manual effort from the user. When the user places the device on a surface, the kickstand autonomously extends and pushes the display into an open position, making the system serve itself rather than requiring human intervention for the opening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical opening action with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the kickstand and frame interact to generate automatic opening force, substituting the traditional mechanical pushing or lifting action with electromagnetic interaction, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing kickstands are used, then basic support function is provided, but ease of deployment and stability in various orientations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The kickstand assembly is designed with movable, adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different orientations and positions. The kickstand plates can rotate and extend at various angles, allowing the system to maintain stability across multiple device orientations rather than being fixed in a single position.
Solution Approach 2:
The kickstand is divided into multiple segments including upper and lower kickstand plates that can independently position themselves. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to stability in different ways, with the upper plate providing initial support and the lower plate extending to lock the device in the desired orientation, thereby improving both ease of deployment and stability.
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
Enables users to effortlessly open and stabilize foldable devices in desired orientations, enhancing usability and accessibility for diverse user groups.
Implementation Method 1
The lower kickstand plate comprises a closing magnet that attracts the backplate deploy magnet
Implementation Method 2
a kickstand opening magnet laterally spaced from the closing magnet. When the upper kickstand plate is laterally translated relative to the backplate, the kickstand opening magnet repels the backplate deploy magnet to cause the lower kickstand plate to rotate about the upper kickstand plate
Implementation Method 3
a device opening magnet that repels the frame opening magnet in the second frame to bias the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from a closed orientation
Implementation Method 4
the plate holding magnet attracts the frame holding magnet to retain the first frame and the second frame in an open orientation
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of kickstand assemblies for foldable computing devices are provided. In one example, in a foldable computing device comprising a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame, a method of using a kickstand assembly to release the first frame and the second frame from a closed orientation comprises sliding an upper kickstand plate of the kickstand assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first frame. The method includes, at least on condition of sliding the upper kickstand plate in the lateral direction, biasing the first frame and the second frame to rotate open from the closed orientation.