Retractable Active Stylus with Rotating Cap Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing styluses for electronic devices lack a convenient and reliable mechanism for activation and deactivation, as well as a method to retract the stylus tip, which can lead to accidental inputs and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A retractable active stylus with a rotatable cap portion that activates the stylus when rotated to an 'on' position, utilizing a rotation-position switch to connect the power source and a retraction mechanism to deploy and retract the stylus tip, maintaining electrical connectivity during deployment and disengaging it during retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the stylus tip is continuously exposed, then the stylus is always ready for use, but accidental inputs occur and power is consumed continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidaccidental inputs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus tip is extracted from the exposed position and retracted into the barrel when not in use. The retraction mechanism physically removes the active writing element from the interaction zone with the touchscreen, preventing accidental inputs while maintaining the ability to quickly deploy the tip when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stylus tip transitions from a static exposed state to a dynamic retractable state. The retraction mechanism enables the tip to move between exposed and retracted positions based on usage conditions, allowing the system to adapt between readiness and protection modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the stylus tip is continuously exposed, then the stylus is always ready for use, but power is consumed continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus operates in periodic cycles of deployment and retraction rather than continuous exposure. The power source activates the stylus electronics only when the tip is deployed and needed, creating intermittent operation that conserves energy while maintaining operational readiness when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The power source is electrically disconnected from the stylus electronics when the tip is retracted. This extraction of electrical connection prevents continuous power consumption by isolating the energy-consuming components from the power source during non-use periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the stylus is made retractable, then accidental inputs are prevented and power is conserved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental inputsVSAvoidretraction mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation-position switch and retraction mechanism are merged into a single integrated system. Rotating the cap portion simultaneously performs multiple functions: it activates the power source through the switch and triggers the retraction mechanism, reducing the number of separate components and control systems needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap portion rotation serves multiple purposes: it acts as a power switch activation, a deployment/retraction trigger, and a user interface indicator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate controls and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the added retraction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the stylus is made retractable, then accidental inputs are prevented and power is conserved, but electrical connectivity must be maintained during deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental inputsVSAvoidelectrical connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible electrical connection (such as a flexible printed circuit or elastic conductor) is used to maintain continuous electrical connectivity between the power source and stylus electronics during deployment and retraction movements. This flexible connection accommodates the mechanical motion while preserving reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible electrical connection acts as an intermediary between the rigid power source and the moving stylus tip. It mediates the mechanical motion while maintaining electrical continuity, allowing the system to transition between deployed and retracted states without losing connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11392223B2Retractable active stylus with dual writing function

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 A T CROSS CO LLC

AI summary

A user interface device includes a barrel, with a retractable active stylus positioned within the barrel. A cap portion connects to the barrel at a rotatable interface. A power source is positioned within the cap portion. A rotation-position switch connects the power source to activate the stylus when the cap portion is rotated to an “on” position.