Force-Sensing Button Assembly With Tactile Feedback Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic device buttons, such as those on mobile phones and computers, primarily offer simple mechanical pressing actions and lack advanced feedback mechanisms, limiting user experience in terms of operation confirmation and error detection.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with an external force recognition and tactile feedback component that includes a support member, pressure sensors, and a tactile feedback structure, capable of recognizing the magnitude of external forces applied to buttons and providing corresponding tactile feedback, such as vibration, to inform users of successful or incorrect operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simple mechanical buttons are used, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but user feedback capability and operation confirmation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the button assembly: the button serves as both a mechanical input interface and a tactile feedback output device. The haptic actuator is integrated within the button structure, allowing the button to both detect user input and provide tactile confirmation, thereby improving operation confirmation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the haptic actuator provides tactile feedback to the user in response to button operations. This feedback loop allows users to confirm whether their input was successfully registered, improving reliability of operation confirmation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by using a compact actuator design.
2Ease of operation
If advanced feedback mechanisms are added to buttons, then user experience and operation confirmation are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical pressing detection, haptic feedback generation, and potential sensor integration. By making the button a multi-functional component, the patent improves user feedback capability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby easing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic actuator is nested within the button structure, with the actuator positioned inside the button housing. This nested arrangement allows the feedback mechanism to be integrated within the existing button form factor, avoiding the need for additional external components and simplifying the manufacturing process while still providing advanced feedback capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If haptic feedback component is integrated inside device main body, then space utilization is improved, but heat dissipation and component reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic actuator is positioned in a specific spatial orientation within the device main body, with the button extending outward from the main body and the actuator located inside. This three-dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization by utilizing the vertical dimension, while the separation between the actuator and internal components provides thermal management benefits and maintains component 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
Enhances user experience by allowing users to perceive the success or failure of button operations through tactile feedback, improving interaction accuracy and satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure sensor on the tactile feedback structure; and the pressure sensor is configured to recognize the magnitude of the external force when the button is subjected to the external force
Implementation Method 2
perform a corresponding tactile feedback action, such as vibration, to inform users of successful or incorrect operations
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device (100) includes: a device main body (10); a button (1) on the device main body and at least partially exposed out of the device main body; and an external force recognition and tactile feedback component inside the device main body and opposite to the button. The external force recognition and tactile feedback component (230) can recognize a magnitude of an external force (f) and perform a corresponding tactile feedback action based on the recognized magnitude of the external force, when the button is subjected to the external force. An external force recognition and tactile feedback method for an electronic device includes: recognizing a magnitude of an external force; and performing a corresponding tactile feedback action based on the recognized magnitude of the external force.