Electronic Stylus Retention Mechanism for Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic styluses with active components are too thick to be stored inside computing devices, posing a challenge for compact design and efficient power management.

Innovation Solution

An electronic stylus with a rechargeable battery and a retention mechanism that includes an electrically conductive contact, allowing secure attachment to a computing device for power recharging and input functionality, utilizing a retention mechanism with L-shaped or other shaped arms to facilitate secure engagement and release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If active electronic components are added to the stylus to enable signal transmission, then input functionality is improved, but the stylus thickness increases making it too thick to store inside the computing device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput functionalityVSAvoidstylus thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus is divided into functional segments: the body containing electronic components for input functionality, and a separate retention mechanism with arms that enable storage. This segmentation allows the stylus to maintain input capabilities while the retention mechanism provides a compact storage solution when the stylus is not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention mechanism with its arms is designed to nest the stylus within or alongside the computing device. The L-shaped or other shaped arms create a compact configuration that reduces the overall space required for storage, effectively nesting the stylus into the device profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the stylus is designed with a retention mechanism for secure attachment, then storage efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidretention mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention mechanism serves multiple functions: it secures the stylus to the computing device for storage, provides electrical connection for charging the battery, and enables easy attachment and release. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby managing complexity while improving storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention mechanism combines the mechanical retention function with the electrical charging function by integrating the electrically conductive contact into the same structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity while achieving secure attachment and power transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the stylus includes a rechargeable battery, then power management is improved, but the stylus volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower managementVSAvoidstylus volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stylus is equipped with a rechargeable battery that can be recharged while stored in the computing device. This preliminary charging action ensures the stylus is always ready for use without requiring external charging, improving power management while the battery is integrated into the existing stylus volume constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Power

If the retention mechanism includes an electrically conductive contact for charging, then power transfer capability is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidretention mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically conductive contact is merged with the retention mechanism arms, combining the mechanical retention function with the electrical charging function in a single integrated structure. This reduces the need for separate charging components and simplifies the overall design while maintaining power transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical retention of the stylus and electrical charging through the conductive contact. This multi-functionality improves power transfer capability while managing complexity by using a single mechanism for both purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables compact storage and efficient power management by allowing the stylus to be securely attached to the computing device for recharging and input functionality, enhancing user experience with a slim and functional design.

Implementation Method 1

a retention mechanism that includes an electrically conductive contact, allowing secure attachment to a computing device for power recharging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3756066B1Electronic stylus with retention mechanism that charges battery from computing device
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3756066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3756066B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3756066B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic stylus can include an elongated body, a rechargeable battery supported by the elongated body, a retention mechanism extending from the elongated body, a retention mechanism, and a release mechanism. The retention mechanism can include an electrically conductive contact. The electrically conductive contact can be electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The release mechanism can be configured to cause the electrically conductive contact to retract within the retention mechanism.