Seamless Dielectric Laptop Input Surface for Water-Resistant Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electronic devices often have input surfaces that are prone to water ingress and offer inferior tactile feel and visual appearance due to material limitations, and they require separate input devices that create seams or openings, compromising their integrity.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a transparent, dielectric material enclosure that integrates a seamless input surface, incorporating touch and force sensing systems to detect inputs and provide haptic feedback, eliminating the need for separate input devices and enhancing the device's aesthetic and functional integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional input devices (keyboards, trackpads) are integrated into the device enclosure, then input functionality is provided, but holes or seams are created that allow liquid or foreign matter to enter the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the input device functionality directly into the enclosure structure itself. The top case is formed from a dielectric material that serves dual purposes: as the structural enclosure component and as the input surface that can detect touch and force inputs. This eliminates the need for separate input devices that would require openings in the enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The top case enclosure component is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, forms the exterior surface, and acts as the sensing surface for touch and force inputs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate input devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional materials are used for the enclosure, then manufacturing is easier, but the material is easily scratched or provides inferior tactile feel and visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dielectric material for the top case that combines properties of traditional materials with enhanced characteristics. The material provides both ease of manufacturing and superior durability, including scratch resistance, while maintaining the necessary dielectric properties for sensing functionality.
3Shape
If a seamless input surface is created using dielectric material, then aesthetic appearance and tactile feel are improved, but the complexity of integrating sensing systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing systems are integrated directly into the dielectric top case material. The top case serves as both the structural component and the substrate for the sensing systems, eliminating the need for separate input device assemblies and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced 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
The solution provides a robust, aesthetically pleasing input surface that prevents water ingress while enabling comprehensive touch and force input detection, enhancing user interaction and device durability.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion
Implementation Method 2
a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input
Implementation Method 3
The embodiments described herein are generally directed to electronic devices having an enclosure formed at least partially from a transparent, dielectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.