Portable Terminal Finger-Hooking Grip Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held portable terminals with curved shapes struggle to accommodate users with small hands due to the length of the device case in the width direction, leading to difficulty in gripping and potential inadvertent operation of the switch key.
Innovation Solution
A portable terminal design featuring a finger-hooking section with a first projection area extending longitudinally and a second projection area that widens laterally, allowing users to grip the device securely with their fingers and thumb, while preventing accidental operation through a finger-restricting concave section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the device case is made long in the width direction to accommodate more components, then the functionality and component integration are improved, but users with small hands cannot firmly grip the device case by one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The rear surface of the device case is segmented into multiple functional zones: a finger-hooking projection portion for index finger engagement, a finger-restricting concave portion for middle finger engagement, and a grip-assisting concave portion. This segmentation allows the device to provide multiple discrete grip points that collectively enable secure one-handed holding despite the device's overall width.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds depth dimension to the rear surface by creating projection portions and concave portions that extend in the thickness direction. This three-dimensional structuring transforms a flat two-dimensional surface into a multi-level topography that accommodates multiple fingers at different depths and positions, enabling secure gripping without increasing the device's width.
2Reliability
If the index finger is hooked lightly on the finger-hooking projection portion to prevent inadvertent operation, then accidental switch key activation is prevented, but the device case cannot be firmly held by one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is segmented across multiple fingers with distinct roles: the index finger engages the projection portion for light hooking that prevents accidental operation, while the middle finger engages the finger-restricting concave portion to provide firm gripping force. This functional segmentation allows each finger to perform its specific task without compromising the other requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger-restricting concave portion acts as an intermediary element between the index finger's light hooking action and the need for firm gripping. By providing a dedicated engagement point for the middle finger, it mediates the transition from light contact to firm grip, enabling both reliability and secure holding simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If a finger-hooking concave portion is added near the finger-hooking projection portion to allow middle finger engagement, then the device case can be firmly held by one hand, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear surface structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the finger-hooking projection portion prevents accidental operation, the finger-restricting concave portion enables firm gripping by the middle finger, and the overall configuration provides ergonomic comfort. By integrating these multiple functions into a single unified structure, the invention avoids the need for separate components, thereby minimizing complexity while achieving enhanced gripping capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable terminal elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a key operation section provided in a substantially lower area in the longitudinal direction of the front surface, in which a finger-hooking section that is a projection portion projecting in the thickness direction of the portable terminal is provided on a rear surface on the rear side of the key operation section, and has a first projection area that extends in the longitudinal direction and a second projection area that is located adjacent to the first projection area while extending toward a lower side in the longitudinal direction and is gradually widened in the lateral direction as extending toward the lower side in the longitudinal direction.