Magnetic Keyboard Positioning on Dual-Screen Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual-screen notebook computers lack the ability to implement input through a physical keyboard, making them inconvenient for users accustomed to physical keyboards, as they require carrying a separate physical keyboard in addition to the device.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device with a first display panel, a second display panel pivotally connected to the first, and a detachable keyboard with guide magnets and magnetic elements, allowing the keyboard to slide along a moving direction perpendicular to the second display panel's edge, enabling magnetic attraction and positioning for various usage modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dual-screen notebook computer is designed without a physical keyboard to maintain portability, then the device remains compact and portable, but users accustomed to physical keyboards cannot perform direct physical keyboard input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical keyboard input capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is designed as a detachable and movable component that can be attached to different positions on the second display panel. The keyboard includes magnetic elements that interact with guide magnets on the display panel, allowing dynamic repositioning and detachment. This dynamic design enables physical keyboard input functionality while maintaining the overall portability and flexibility of the dual-screen notebook computer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a physical keyboard is added to provide direct input functionality, then physical keyboard input is enabled, but the user needs to carry both the dual-screen notebook and the physical keyboard separately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical keyboard input capabilityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is integrated with the second display panel through magnetic attraction between magnetic elements on the keyboard and guide magnets on the display panel. This merging allows the keyboard to be attached to the notebook computer when needed for physical input, and detached when not needed to maintain portability. The keyboard can be stored on the notebook computer itself, eliminating the need to carry a separate physical keyboard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Weight of moving object

If the keyboard is made detachable to improve portability, then the device remains portable, but the keyboard cannot be securely positioned or fixed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidkeyboard positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical fastening system (screws, clips, or latches) is replaced with a magnetic attachment system. Magnetic elements on the keyboard interact with guide magnets arranged on the second display panel, providing secure positioning through magnetic attraction. This substitution maintains portability by allowing easy attachment and detachment while ensuring reliable positioning and stability during use through the magnetic force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 direct physical keyboard input and diverse usage modes by allowing the keyboard to be positioned and used in different locations on the second display panel, enhancing user convenience and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Guide magnets are arranged on the second display panel and magnetic elements are arranged on the keyboard, so that the keyboard can be arranged on the second display panel and can slide among different positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3661177B1Portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 PEGATRON
  • EP3661177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3661177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3661177B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a portable electronic device, comprising a first display panel, a second display panel and a keyboard. The second display panel is pivotally connected to the first display panel. The second display panel comprises a display screen and at least one guide magnet arranged below the display screen. The keyboard is detachably arranged above the display screen of the second display panel. The keyboard comprises at least one magnetic element. The keyboard can be controlled to move relative to the display screen along a moving direction by means of the magnetic attraction force between the at least one magnetic element and the at least one guide magnet, wherein the moving direction is perpendicular to a side edge of the second display panel pivotally connected to the first display panel.