Sliding Display Keypad Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face limitations in user input due to space constraints, necessitating a separate input device like a keypad, which requires a mechanical design that allows for efficient sliding between open and closed positions to optimize user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A slidable portable electronic device design featuring a touch-sensitive display portion and a keypad portion, coupled by a slide mechanism that allows the display to move between closed and open positions, aligning the active surfaces for improved user interaction, utilizing slide rails and biasing members for ease of movement and retention in both positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate keypad is added to a touch-sensitive device, then user input capability is improved, but device space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad is designed to be movable relative to the display, transitioning between a retracted position (saving space) and an extended position (providing input capability). This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt its form factor based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and input versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The keypad is arranged in a telescoping configuration that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the display surface, utilizing the Z-dimension (depth) rather than consuming additional planar space. This allows the keypad to provide input functionality without increasing the device's footprint area.
2Area of stationary object
If a telescoping configuration is used, then space efficiency is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct modular components (display assembly and keypad assembly) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and simplifies the mechanical connection requirements, reducing overall complexity despite the telescoping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The keypad is nested within or alongside the display assembly in a compact configuration, allowing one component to be housed within the space of another when not in use. This nesting approach maximizes space efficiency while minimizing the mechanical structures required compared to external attachments.
3Ease of operation
If the keypad and display surfaces are aligned, then user interaction is improved, but sliding mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism is designed with asymmetric guide rails and engagement features that constrain movement primarily along the intended telescoping path. This asymmetric design prevents lateral misalignment while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure, enabling surface alignment without requiring complex multi-axis control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a portable electronic device including a first portion having a first surface, a second portion having a second surface, and a slide portion slidably coupled to the first and second portions. The first portion, second portion and slide portion are adapted so that the first portion can slide along a first direction between a closed position wherein the first portion at least partially covers the second surface, and an extended position wherein the second surface is at least partially exposed, and when the first portion is in the extended position, the first portion and slide portion can slide relative to the second portion along a second direction into an open position in which the first surface and the second surface are aligned.