Movable Input Devices for Compact Electronic Apparatus Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic apparatuses with input devices, such as keyboards and handwriting boards, face challenges in reducing volume and ergonomic design, leading to user inconvenience and inefficient space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus features movable input devices that can be slid or rotated relative to the shell, allowing them to be received within the device, thereby reducing volume and providing ergonomic input functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the input device is fixed coupling to the electronic apparatus, then the input function is stable and reliable, but the volume of the electronic apparatus cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is designed with movable connection mechanisms (rotatable or slidable) that allow it to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design enables the input device to be used when extended for reliable input functionality, and stored within the shell when retracted to reduce overall volume, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The input device can be received and stored within the shell of the electronic apparatus when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the input device to be kept secure and protected within the main body, reducing the external volume of the apparatus while maintaining full input functionality when needed.
2Device complexity
If the input device is served as outside connecting components, then the main body structure is simplified, but the volume of the whole electronic apparatus including the input device cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is merged with the shell structure through movable connection mechanisms, allowing it to be both part of the main body when retracted and functionally separate when extended. This combining approach simplifies the overall structure compared to completely external connections while enabling volume reduction through the ability to store the input device within the shell.
3Ease of manufacture
If the input device is coupled to the bottom of the electronic apparatus, then the structure is simple, but it does not provide ergonomic input function
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is designed with rotatable or slidable connections that allow it to be positioned at different angles and orientations. This enables the device to be coupled to the bottom for simple manufacturing, while also allowing it to be rotated or slid to ergonomic positions during use, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational comfort.
4Volume of moving object
If handwriting input devices are used to replace keyboard input devices, then the volume of the electronic apparatus is reduced, but user convenience is compromised for those used to keyboards
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic apparatus is designed to support multiple input methods including both handwriting input and keyboard input. This multi-functionality allows users to choose their preferred input method based on their needs and habits, maintaining user convenience while enabling volume reduction through the optional use of more compact input devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus having movable input device includes a main body and two input devices. The main body includes a shell, a display panel and a processing unit. The display panel and the processing unit are received in the shell. A display surface of the display panel is exposed from the shell. The two input devices are coupled to two opposite sides of the shell respectively and electrically connect to the processing unit. The two input devices are configured for being slid or rotated relative to the shell so as to be received by the shell, thereby facilitating to reduce the volume of the electronic apparatus.