Adjustable Tact Switch Activation via Flexible Hinge Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laptop touchpad devices face defects due to insufficient stroke of the tact switch caused by engineering tolerance during manufacturing and assembling, making it impossible to fine-tune the activation position effectively.
Innovation Solution
A full-area touch device design incorporating a supporting unit with resilient sheet sets, an adjusting unit with a limiting and adjusting member, and a touch control unit with a tact switch that allows for adjustable distance between the tact switch and the limiting member, enabling fine-tuning of the activation position through deformation of connecting plates and rotation of the adjusting member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid connecting members are used in the support mechanism, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the device cannot accommodate engineering tolerance variations and the tact switch stroke becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid connecting members with flexible hinges that can bend and deform. This allows the support mechanism to dynamically adapt to engineering tolerance variations during manufacturing and assembly, ensuring the tact switch achieves the required stroke and activation position despite dimensional variations in individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using flexible hinges whose bending stiffness and deformation characteristics can be adjusted through material selection and geometric design. This enables the mechanism to compensate for tolerance accumulations by changing the flexibility parameter, ensuring reliable tact switch activation across different manufacturing batches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible or bendable connecting members are used, then adaptability to engineering tolerance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using thin flexible hinge components that provide the necessary compliance while maintaining structural integrity. These thin-film flexible connectors achieve the required adaptability to engineering tolerance without requiring complex multi-component assemblies, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining tolerance compensation capability.
3Productivity
If the tact switch position is fixed during assembly, then assembly speed is improved, but the activation position cannot be fine-tuned and defect rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the flexible hinge geometry and material properties to provide optimal stroke compensation for typical engineering tolerances. This preliminary design allows the majority of assemblies to function correctly without adjustment, maintaining high assembly speed, while still permitting fine-tuning adjustments when needed to achieve reliable tact switch activation.
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
The design reduces the defect rate by ensuring the tact switch can reach the predetermined activation position, enhancing the stability and reliability of the touchpad operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resilient sheet sets 13 connected to the base plate 12... downwardly movable relative to the supporting unit 10 against a resilient force of the resilient sheet sets 13
Implementation Method 2
enabling fine-tuning of the activation position through deformation of connecting plates
Data Source
AI summary
A full-area touch device includes a base plate of a support unit. Multiple resilient sheet sets are connected to the base plate. An adjusting unit is mounted to the supporting unit, and includes a limiting member and an adjusting member. The adjusting member is disposed under and abuts against the limiting member such that a top end of the limiting member is disposed above the base plate, and is movable to adjust a distance between the top end of the limiting member and the base plate. A touch control unit is mounted to the resilient sheet sets, includes a tact switch that is disposed above and aligned with the limiting member, and is downwardly movable relative to the supporting unit against a resilient force of the resilient sheet sets for contacting the limiting member.