Bidirectional Stylus Charging via Keyboard Spring Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stylus charging methods using wireless charging interfaces often result in slow charging rates due to misalignment issues, leading to extended charge times, which decreases efficiency and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional charging system where a stylus is aligned with a keyboard's stylus docking slot using magnets and alignment nubs, allowing spring contacts to connect with charging contacts for efficient power transfer from the information handling system's battery to the stylus's energy storage unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging interface is used for stylus charging, then charging convenience is improved, but charging rate becomes slow due to misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wireless electromagnetic induction charging system with a direct mechanical contact charging system. The stylus docking slot incorporates spring contacts that physically connect with charging contacts on the stylus when docked, eliminating the misalignment issues inherent in wireless charging and enabling faster charging rates while maintaining ease of use through automatic docking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spring contacts as an intermediary mechanism between the keyboard docking slot and the stylus. These spring contacts provide a reliable physical connection for power transfer, serving as a mediator that ensures proper alignment and contact while allowing for manufacturing tolerances and positioning variations.
2Measurement precision
If wireless charging is used, then alignment precision requirements are reduced, but charge time extends significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic charging with a mechanical contact-based charging system using spring contacts. This substitution ensures precise electrical connection through physical contact when the stylus is docked, eliminating the alignment sensitivity of wireless charging and reducing charge time from 75 minutes to 5 minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spring contacts that can dynamically adjust to positioning variations. The spring mechanism provides compliance that accommodates manufacturing tolerances and ensures reliable contact despite minor misalignments, while maintaining low contact resistance for efficient power transfer.
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 method significantly reduces charge time, typically from 75 minutes to 5 minutes, enhancing charging efficiency and user experience by ensuring optimal alignment and direct power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
causing, by a plurality of keyboard magnets of the keyboard, a partial alignment of the stylus in relation to the stylus docking slot, the plurality of keyboard magnets attracting a plurality of stylus magnets of the stylus
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for charging a stylus of an information handling system includes: receiving, by a stylus docking slot of a keyboard of the information handling system, the stylus, the keyboard communicably coupled to the information handling system; causing, by a plurality of keyboard magnets of the keyboard, a partial alignment of the stylus in relation to the stylus docking slot, the plurality of keyboard magnets attracting a plurality of stylus magnets of the stylus; causing, by an alignment nub of the keyboard, an alignment of one or more spring contacts of the stylus in relation to one or more charging contacts of the keyboard, the alignment nub configured to removably couple to a beveled recess of the stylus; and providing, by the one or more charging contacts, power to an energy storage unit of the stylus via the one or more spring contacts.