Retractable Touchpad Button Bumper for Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in integrating bumpers that protect the display panel from buffing or scuffing when closed, as traditional bumpers often interfere with user typing due to their placement near the palm rest area, especially in systems with narrow border designs.
Innovation Solution
A retractable touchpad button bumper assembly that operates as both an input device and a bumper, retracting into a recess when the lid is open and raising to serve as a bumper when the lid is closed, utilizing a wedge-shaped element and muscle wires or a wire form to adjust its position in response to lid state signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bumpers are integrated into the bezel or palm rest to protect the display panel from buffing or scuffing when closed, then the display panel is protected from damage, but the bumpers interfere with user typing by occupying space in the palm rest area
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad button is configured to be retractable, dynamically changing its position between a first position (retracted into the base housing portion) and a second position (raised to serve as a bumper). This dynamic adjustment allows the same component to serve dual functions: providing typing input when retracted and protecting the display panel when raised, thereby resolving the contradiction between display protection and typing comfort
2Shape
If narrow border panels are used for the display panel and base portions, then the device achieves a sleeker design, but there is very little real estate available to integrate bumpers
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad button is designed to perform multiple functions: serving as an input device for the touchpad when in the first position and as a bumper for protecting the display panel when in the second position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate bumper components, allowing narrow border designs while maintaining display protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the touchpad button with the function of a bumper by configuring the button to be movable between two positions. This consolidation of functions into a single component reduces device complexity and enables sleeker narrow border designs while still providing necessary protection
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
Enhances user experience by preventing interference during typing while effectively protecting the display panel from damage when the lid is closed, maintaining functionality as both a touchpad button and a bumper.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a wedge-shaped element and muscle wires or a wire form to adjust its position in response to lid state signals
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include a retractable touchpad button bumper assembly, including touchpad buttons configured to move between first and second touchpad button positions dependent on whether a lid portion of the information handling system is open or closed with respect to a base portion to which it is rotationally coupled. When the lid is opened, the touchpad buttons may be lowered into their first touchpad button positions, where the touchpad buttons lie in a recess in the base portion and operate as input devices for a touchpad. When the lid is closed, the touchpad buttons may be raised up to their second touchpad button positions, which are higher than their first positions relative to the base portion, and may serve as a bumpers between the base portion and the lid portion. The assembly may receive a signal indicating the lid state from a proximity sensor circuit.