Curved-Screen Side Button Structure to Reduce Mistaken Touches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high mistaken touch rate of virtual buttons on electronic devices with curved screens leads to accidental device shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a physical button with a pressure sensor and trigger assembly within an accommodating cavity formed by the curved screen and housing, where the curved portion's end drives the trigger assembly to contact the pressure sensor upon a target pressing operation, reducing the risk of mistaken touches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If virtual buttons are used on the curved screen to maximize display area, then the screen area can occupy the side edges and extend to the back, but the mistaken touch rate increases leading to accidental device shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a physical button structure as an intermediary between the curved screen and the control system. This physical button includes a trigger assembly with a pressing component that can be mechanically actuated, providing a reliable input method that distinguishes intentional user actions from accidental touches on the curved screen surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the virtual button interface (software-based) with a physical button mechanism (hardware-based). The physical button includes a pressing component that mechanically contacts a pressure sensor, substituting the touch-based optical detection with mechanical force detection, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the curved screen's display area.
2Reliability
If a physical button is added to the electronic device, then the mistaken touch rate is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the physical button structure with the existing curved screen housing. The button housing is integrated into the device's overall structure, and the trigger assembly is positioned within the accommodating cavity formed by the curved screen and housing, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the trigger assembly is positioned within the accommodating cavity, and the pressing component is nested within the trigger assembly. The pressure sensor is disposed in the accommodating cavity to receive signals from the nested trigger assembly, creating a compact hierarchical structure that reduces overall complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the pressure sensor is disposed close to the curved portion for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the risk of mistaken activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the button structure into distinct functional components: the pressing component, the trigger assembly, and the pressure sensor. The trigger assembly includes a pressing component and a trigger component that are spatially separated and functionally distinct, allowing the structure to be compact while maintaining reliable activation through the segmented mechanical linkage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic positioning where the trigger assembly can move between a normal state and a pressed state. The pressing component is configured to move toward the pressure sensor when pressed, creating a dynamic gap that is large in the normal state (preventing mistaken activation) and small in the pressed state (enabling reliable detection). This dynamic adjustment allows compact design while maintaining reliability.
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
Reduces the mistaken touch rate by ensuring accurate button activation while maintaining the display area and aesthetic appeal of the curved screen.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor and a trigger assembly, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed in the accommodating cavity, the trigger assembly is disposed at the second end of the curved portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides an electronic device, including a curved screen and a housing, where the curved screen and the housing match to form an accommodating cavity, where the curved screen includes a plane portion and a curved portion, a first end of the curved portion is connected to the plane portion, and the curved portion bends and extends toward the housing, in a cross section perpendicular to the plane portion and the curved portion, a second end of the curved portion extends toward the accommodating cavity, and the electronic device further includes a first button, where the first button includes a pressure sensor and a trigger assembly, where the pressure sensor is disposed in the accommodating cavity, the trigger assembly is disposed at the second end of the curved portion, and the trigger assembly and the pressure sensor are disposed at an interval, where in a case that the curved portion receives a target pressing operation, the second end of the curved portion drives the trigger assembly to contact the pressure sensor, thereby triggering the pressure sensor.