Touch Pen Holding Structure Without Metal Spring Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, face challenges in securely holding touch pens due to the decay of metal spring elasticity over time, leading to unpredictable extraction and insertion forces, which can result in the touch pen being accidentally dropped or lost.
Innovation Solution
A holding structure that uses a mount with a movable member and a constraining portion to engage and disengage with the touch pen, providing a stable holding force through structural constraint rather than relying on metal springs, allowing for adjustable insertion and extraction forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal spring is used to hold the touch pen, then the touch pen can be fixed in the apparatus casing, but the holding force decays over time due to elasticity fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal spring from the holding mechanism entirely. Instead of using elastic deformation of a spring, the invention employs a rigid constraining portion with a predetermined cross-sectional shape that directly engages with the touch pen through geometric constraint, eliminating the component subject to elasticity fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical system (metal spring) with a rigid mechanical constraint system. The constraining portion uses its rigid structure and predetermined cross-sectional shape to provide holding force through direct geometric engagement rather than elastic recovery, substituting one mechanical principle for another more reliable one
2Reliability
If a metal spring provides holding force, then the touch pen is prevented from falling, but the insertion and extraction forces become equal and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different local geometric characteristics to different regions of the holding mechanism. The constraining portion has a specific cross-sectional shape designed to engage with the touch pen, creating asymmetric interaction where insertion follows one path of least resistance while extraction follows a different path, allowing independent optimization of these forces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the engagement geometry between the constraining portion and the touch pen. The predetermined cross-sectional shape of the constraining portion creates different mechanical interaction characteristics for insertion versus extraction, enabling the design of asymmetric force profiles where insertion force and extraction force can be independently optimized
3Reliability
If the elastic force is increased to prevent unexpected extraction, then the holding force is sufficient, but the touch pen becomes difficult to insert and extract
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses localized geometric features in the constraining portion's cross-section to create specific engagement characteristics. These localized geometric properties provide strong holding force through precise geometric constraint while maintaining smooth insertion and extraction paths, decoupling the relationship between holding strength and operational ease
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 solution ensures a higher and more stable holding force, preventing accidental drops and allowing for customizable insertion and extraction forces, thus enhancing user convenience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the constraining portion constrains deformation of the engaging structure such that the engaging structure is engaged with the end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A holding structure and a portable electronic apparatus therewith are disclosed. The holding structure includes a mount structure and a movable member. The mount structure includes a constraining portion having an accommodating space and an opening. The movable member includes a carrier having an engaging structure. When an end portion of a pencil object is inserted into the constraining portion from the opening to be accommodated together with the carrier in the accommodating space, the constraining portion constrains deformation of the engaging structure such that the engaging structure is engaged with the end portion. The end portion is therefore hardly extracted out. When the carrier departs from the accommodating space, the engaging structure and the end portion are disengaged. The end portion is therefore easily extracted out. The invention uses structure to constrain deformation, which can provide stable holding strength without any metal spring.