Magnetic Slider Mechanism for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in increasing display area while maintaining a larger keyboard area due to their compact size, requiring mechanisms to assist sliding and connection between top and bottom portions, which often add thickness and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic slider mechanism is introduced, allowing the base and main portions to be held together through magnetic force, enabling sliding and separation, with guide rails or grooves defining the sliding direction, and enabling wireless communication even when separated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical sliding mechanisms with grooves and pegs are used to connect top and bottom portions, then the portions can be held together securely, but the device thickness increases and internal space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sliding mechanisms (grooves, pegs, knobs) with a magnetic field-based connection system. Magnets embedded in the base portion and magnetic material in the main portion create magnetic attraction forces that hold the portions together without requiring physical interlocking structures, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining connection stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection mechanism from mechanical (physical contact and interlocking) to magnetic (field-based attraction). By adjusting magnetic field strength and distribution, the system achieves secure connection without the thickness penalties of mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical sliding mechanisms are used to connect portions, then connection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates complex mechanical sliding mechanisms including grooves, pegs, and knobs by substituting them with a magnetic field-based system. This substitution dramatically reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to securely connect and separate portions through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the device is made compact to reduce size, then portability is improved, but the display area and keyboard area cannot both be maximized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddisplay and keyboard area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the device into separable portions (base portion and main portion) that can be magnetically connected or separated. This segmentation allows the device to be compact when connected while providing expanded functionality and larger effective display/keyboard areas when portions are separated and used independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration where portions can be magnetically connected for compact portable use or separated to maximize display and keyboard areas. The magnetic connection system enables easy transitions between compact and expanded states, allowing the device to adapt its form factor based on usage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution allows for multiple sliding directions without adding thickness, freeing up space for internal components, and enables a flip motion, enhancing user interaction and device functionality while reducing physical connectors.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic slider mechanism for allowing a base portion to slide relative to a main portion. The base and main portion are held together through magnetic force and separable when such force is overcome.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8503174B2Magnetic slider mechanism for electronic devices and methods of use

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A portable processing device that includes a base portion and a main portion. The base portion includes a magnet and guides. The main portion includes a magnetic area. The base portion and the main portion are separable and configured to be held together by a magnetic force between the magnetic area and the magnet. The main portion is configured to be slideably movable with respect to the base portion in a sliding direction defined by the guides. The base portion may further include a cavity adjacent to the top end of the base portion, with a second magnet disposed proximate the cavity. At the end of a sliding motion, the bottom of the main portion is pulled into the cavity by magnetic attraction between the second magnet and the magnetic area. In some embodiments, the main portion may be capable of a flip with respect to the base portion.