Retractable Feet Keyboard for Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges with peripheral keyboards, including inconvenience in carrying and maintaining them, battery life issues due to added backlights, and potential for display damage from keyboard placement, along with position instability caused by magnetic interactions.
Innovation Solution
A dual display portable information handling system uses magnets and magnetic sensors to guide and position a peripheral keyboard on the display, adjusts touch detection calibration, provides keyboard illumination through a transparent bottom, and incorporates an expandable hinge for charging, allowing for automated adaptations based on keyboard position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a peripheral keyboard is placed on the display, then typing input capability is improved, but position stability deteriorates due to magnetic interactions
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic material intermediary layer is introduced between the display surface and the keyboard to block magnetic field interactions. This layer acts as a mediator that prevents magnetic forces from causing keyboard position instability while allowing the keyboard to remain placed on the display for typing input capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic attachment mechanisms are replaced with alternative non-magnetic attachment methods such as mechanical clips, adhesive layers, or friction-based retention systems. This substitution eliminates the harmful magnetic interactions that cause position instability while maintaining the keyboard's ability to be securely placed on the display.
2Illumination intensity
If the keyboard bottom is made transparent for illumination, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but display protection deteriorates due to increased risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard bottom is constructed using composite materials that combine transparent or translucent sections for aesthetic illumination with protective layers that prevent damage to the display. The composite structure allows light transmission while providing mechanical protection against scratches and contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
Protective coatings or films are applied to the transparent keyboard bottom surface before use to prevent direct contact between contaminants and the display. This beforehand protection measures includes scratch-resistant coatings or removable protective films that can be placed on the keyboard bottom to cushion against potential damage.
3Measurement precision
If magnets are used to guide keyboard position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but position stability worsens due to magnetic instability
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic intermediary layer is placed between the magnets and the display surface to block magnetic field interactions. This intermediary prevents the magnetic forces from causing instability while allowing the magnets to provide positioning guidance through the non-magnetic barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic positioning mechanisms are replaced with non-magnetic positioning systems such as mechanical guides, alignment features, or friction-based positioning. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy while eliminating the magnetic instability that causes the keyboard to shift or vibrate.
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 enhances user interaction with peripheral keyboards by maintaining keyboard readiness, improving touch responsiveness, and reducing the risk of display damage, while providing convenient and stable keyboard placement and charging.
Implementation Method 1
Magnets with opposing polarities disposed in the keyboard and display cooperate to position the keyboard on the display, such as at forward and rearward positions, with magnetic forces from opposing polarities forming a guide rail that guides the keyboard between desired positions with smooth motion.
Implementation Method 2
Position detectors, such as magnetic Hall sensors detect the keyboard position to selectively adapt the information handling system and keyboard operation for detected keyboard positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system keyboard extends plural feet from a bottom surface to reduce contaminants at the bottom surface that might scratch a touchscreen display and retracts the plural feet when resting on the touchscreen display to place a non-scratch and contaminant free surface against the touchscreen display. In one embodiment, the plural feet automatically retract when in proximity to a display surface, such as in response to a magnetic sensor integrated in the keyboard that senses a magnet integrated in the display or in response to a command from an information handling system having an integrated display on which the keyboard rests. In one embodiment, the keyboard integrates accelerometers to automatically extend the plural feet during accelerations and retract the plural feet when the keyboard rests on a display after accelerations.