Rocker Key Merging Navigation and Send Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for ergonomic and aesthetically enhanced input components in smaller-sized handheld electronic devices, particularly in portable mobile telephones, that provide reliable and easy-to-use functionality while maintaining a compact form factor.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design featuring a housing with longitudinally slideable sections and a pivotably mounted rocker key, where the rocker key is a one-piece member extending across the width of the housing, providing two depressible areas for soft key functions and serving as a push-up mechanism to expand the device, utilizing a spring connection for mounting, thus reducing parts and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to make it more portable, then the portability is improved, but the size of input components (keys) is reduced making them harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the rocker key: it serves as both a navigation key (with left/right depressible areas for menu navigation) and a send/end key (with the same areas triggering send/end functions). This merging allows the device to maintain compact size while providing sufficient input functionality through a single multi-functional component rather than requiring separate larger keys
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker key is designed to perform multiple functions: navigation (moving selection cursor), selection (confirming choices), and send/end operations. The left and right depressible areas can trigger different functions depending on the operational state, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate keys, thus maintaining small device size while preserving ease of operation
2Ease of manufacture
If separate components are used for the rocker key (multiple parts assembled together), then the manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the assembly complexity and part quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker key is formed as a single integrated component where the housing, pivot mechanism, and multiple depressible key areas are all part of one piece. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate parts (such as separate key caps, pivots, and housings), thereby reducing assembly complexity and part quantity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through single-component molding or fabrication processes
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 design enhances user interaction with larger send/end and navigation keys without increasing the device's footprint, offering improved ergonomics and functionality while maintaining a compact size, addressing the need for reliable input components in smaller devices.
Implementation Method 1
The connection comprises a spring member having a middle section connected to a middle section of the rocker key and two opposite ends connected to the second section of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held, portable electronic device including a housing, electronic circuitry in the housing and a rocker key. The housing includes a first section and a second section. The second section is longitudinally slideably mounted on the first section along a longitudinal axis. The rocker key is pivotably connected to the second section of the housing. The rocker key includes a one-piece member with a rotational axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis.