Flexible Resistive Touchpad for Non-Rectangular Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rectangular touchpads are limited in their ability to accommodate non-rectangular shapes, making them less versatile and aesthetically unappealing for small portable devices, and they can be difficult to integrate with other components due to their rectangular design.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad configuration featuring flexible substrates with resistive elements that allow for non-rectangular shapes, enabling the creation of touchpads with various forms such as circular, elliptical, or irregular shapes, where conductive elements extend from resistors to create distinct regions for voltage measurement, allowing for detection of touch location in Cartesian or curvilinear coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rectangular touchpad paradigm is used, then the touchpad can be easily manufactured with standard rectangular components, but the touchpad cannot be adapted to non-rectangular shapes and aesthetic designs
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad is divided into multiple independent conductive elements (first conductive element, second conductive element, third conductive element, fourth conductive element) that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the touchpad to be shaped into various non-rectangular forms while maintaining the resistive touch functionality through the interaction of these segmented conductive elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the traditional two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system to a three-dimensional configuration by stacking multiple conductive elements at different positions and orientations. This dimensional change enables non-rectangular shapes while preserving the voltage division principle for touch location detection.
2Ease of operation
If a rectangular touchpad design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple and standardized, but the corners are difficult to reach and the shape is aesthetically unappealing for portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables curved and non-rectangular touchpad shapes by configuring the conductive elements in arcuate patterns rather than straight rectangular lines. This allows the touchpad to have rounded edges and curved surfaces, making all edges equally accessible and aesthetically pleasing for portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elements are positioned asymmetrically to create non-rectangular shapes that can be optimized for specific device layouts. This asymmetric configuration allows the touchpad to adapt to various device forms factors while maintaining uniform accessibility across all edges.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rectangular touchpad is used, then the coordinate system is simple and easy to implement, but the touchpad cannot be easily arranged within an array of other input or output components
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the touchpad into multiple independent conductive elements, the patent enables flexible arrangement within arrays of components. Each conductive element can be independently positioned to optimize integration with surrounding input or output components, while the segmented structure maintains the voltage division principle for coordinate detection.
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
Enables the creation of touchpads that can be easily adapted to different shapes and sizes, improving usability and aesthetics, while ensuring all edges are equally accessible, thus enhancing the integration with other device components.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the substrates is flexible so that a touch to one brings a portion of the first substrate first surface into contact with the second substrate second surface
Implementation Method 2
A first resistor is on the first surface. The first resistor has a narrow shape dividing the first surface into two regions. If a voltage potential is applied across the length of the first resistor, each conductor in a given region will be at a different potential
Data Source
AI summary
A touchpad includes a first substrate and a second substrate, at least one of which is flexible. A resistor on the first substrate has a narrow shape dividing the first substrate into two regions. A set of conductors in electrical contact with the resistor extend from the resistor into the two regions. A second resistor and at least one second substrate conductor in electrical contact with the second resistor are on the second substrate. This construction allows the touchpad to have an outer shape is not restricted by the need for rectangular coordinates.