Retractable Keypad Structure to Prevent Accidental Key Presses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld electronic devices face issues such as unintended key actuation and loss of memory cards due to their portable nature, which can lead to accidental activation or loss when carried in pockets or purses.

Innovation Solution

The device features a retractable design where the keypad is disabled in the retracted configuration to prevent unintended actuations, and a mechanism that secures memory cards, ensuring they remain intact during movement and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the device is made portable and compact, then it can be carried in pockets or purses, but unintended key actuations occur during carrying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidkey actuation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a movable housing structure that can transition between extended and retracted configurations. When retracted, the actuators are offset from the collapsible domes, dynamically preventing key actuation during portable carrying. When extended, the actuators align with the domes to enable normal keypad functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is segmented into movable portions that can independently transition between configurations. The actuators and collapsible domes are separated into different housing portions, allowing selective engagement and disengagement of the keypad function based on device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the device is made portable, then it can be carried conveniently, but memory cards and items can be lost if the device is dropped

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiditem security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The card holder is designed with preliminary protective action - when the housing is in the retracted configuration, the card holder structure automatically secures memory cards in place, creating preliminary protection against loss. This preventive mechanism activates before a drop event occurs, ensuring cards remain secured during accidental drops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the keypad is always active for convenient input, then text entry is easy, but accidental inputs occur during carrying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext entry convenienceVSAvoidaccidental input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The keypad functionality dynamically changes based on housing configuration. In the retracted configuration, the offset between actuators and collapsible domes creates a dead zone that prevents accidental inputs while maintaining text entry capability when the housing is extended to the proper operating configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8547254B2Handheld electronic device that has a keypad which can be rendered ineffective, and associated method

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

An improved handheld electronic device is movable among a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. Several different exemplary embodiments are described, some having two members, others having more. In one embodiment, certain features or objects are unavailable in a retracted configuration but are available in a deployed configuration or an overtravel configuration. A method of responding to predetermined events comprises detecting a movement of a handheld electronic device away from a first configuration toward a second configuration without reaching the second configuration.