Multi-directional Sliding Module for Portable Device Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile phones with limited surface area face challenges in integrating multiple functions due to their small size, leading to increased size and weight when attempting to provide various input options like QWERTY and telephone keyboards, making them inconvenient to carry and use.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional sliding module that allows two electronic modules to slide on a single plane, utilizing a dynamic sliding mechanism with magnetic forces to enhance stability, enabling the device to open in multiple directions and expose either a numerical keypad or QWERTY keyboard, reducing thickness and size while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If three electronic modules are stacked together to provide multiple input functions, then the device can expose different keyboards in different directions, but the device size and weight increase, making it inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple keyboard functions (telephone keyboard and QWERTY keyboard) into a single electronic module by using a sliding mechanism that allows one keyboard to slide over another. This merging approach eliminates the need for three separate stacked modules, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining the ability to provide multiple input functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stacking modules in the vertical dimension (three layers), the patent transitions to a two-dimensional arrangement where keyboards are overlaid on the same plane and accessed through sliding motion. This dimensional change reduces the vertical thickness and overall device size while preserving functional versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three electronic modules are stacked together to provide multiple input functions, then the device can expose different keyboards in different directions, but the device thickness increases, making it inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple keyboard functions into a single electronic module using a sliding mechanism, eliminating the need for three stacked modules. This consolidation significantly reduces device thickness while maintaining the capability to expose different keyboards in different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking (three layers) to a two-dimensional overlay arrangement where keyboards occupy the same plane. The sliding mechanism enables access to different keyboards without increasing vertical thickness, effectively reducing device thickness while preserving functional versatility.
3Area of stationary object
If the surface area is reduced to make the phone smaller, then the phone becomes more portable, but integrating multiple functions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sliding mechanism that operates in the vertical dimension (sliding up and down) to access different keyboard layouts. This allows the device to maintain a compact horizontal footprint while providing multiple input functions through vertical motion, effectively decoupling surface area from functional capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic sliding mechanism that allows the keyboard overlay to move between different positions. This dynamic approach enables a single physical space to serve multiple functions at different times, allowing the device to maintain small surface area while integrating multiple input functions through temporal separation.
4Length of stationary object
If a single plane sliding mechanism is used instead of three stacked modules, then the device thickness is reduced, but the sliding stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic attraction forces (which act radially and uniformly) to enhance sliding stability in the single-plane mechanism. The magnetic force provides uniform guidance and stabilization throughout the sliding path, compensating for the potential instability of the simplified single-plane structure compared to three stacked modules.
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 convenient horizontal and vertical operation of electronic modules, improving sliding stability and reducing device thickness, allowing for efficient use of space and functionality without the need for three stacked modules.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic device disposed above the another opening, and the dynamic slide and the magnetic device are made of a magnetic material... the adjacent surfaces of the dynamic slide and the magnetic device possess the same polarity to push the dynamic slide out of the third track
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
A multi-directional sliding module for a portable device is described. The multi-directional sliding module includes a slide, a first track, and a second track. The first track and the second track are disposed on a single plane of a portable device and form a predetermined angle therebetween to allow a first electronic module sliding along at least two directions on a second electronic module of the portable device. When the first electronic module is slid out along the first track, the portable device is operated in a mobile phone mode. When the first sliding electronic module is slid out along the second track, the portable device is operated in a typing mode.