Input Device Interlocking Member for Sharp Vibration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices that provide operation feelings through vibration suffer from a lack of clarity in vibration generation and termination, leading to a poor operation feeling due to the actuator directly pressing the touchpad and springs hindering downward movement.
Innovation Solution
An input device design featuring an operation portion, input detection portion, driving member, elastic members, case member, interlocking member, restricting member, and damper members, where the elastic members urge the interlocking member into press contact with damper members, allowing for controlled upward and downward movement to generate sharp vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the actuator directly presses the touchpad and springs pull the touchpad downward, then the touchpad can be returned to stationary position, but the speed of downward movement is faster than actuator speed causing poor operation feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interlocking member as an intermediary between the actuator and the operation portion. This member is driven by the actuator but separately controls the downward movement of the operation portion, allowing the operation portion to move downward faster than the actuator without compromising control precision, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and operation feeling clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the direct connection between the actuator and the operation portion by introducing the interlocking member. This segmentation allows independent optimization of the actuator's movement speed and the operation portion's downward movement speed, enabling the operation portion to achieve faster reset speed while maintaining clear vibration feedback
2Duration of action of moving object
If springs are used to return the touchpad to stationary position, then the touchpad can be reset, but vibration termination takes time making operation feeling worse
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking member acts as a mediator that decouples the vibration generation function from the reset function. By driving the operation portion directly through the interlocking member, the system can terminate vibrations immediately when needed, while still using springs for gentle reset, thus resolving the contradiction between vibration duration and operation feeling sharpness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the reset function from the spring-only system by introducing the actuator-driven interlocking member. This allows the system to selectively engage the actuator for rapid vibration termination while relying on springs for normal reset operations, achieving both quick vibration cessation and smooth positioning
3Measurement precision
If the actuator hinders downward movement of the touchpad, then the touchpad can be controlled precisely, but it is difficult to clearly feel vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by introducing the interlocking member that is driven by the actuator but separately engages with the operation portion. This segmentation allows the actuator to precisely control the interlocking member's position while enabling the operation portion to achieve larger amplitude vibrations for clear perception, resolving the contradiction between control precision and vibration perception
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 enhances the clarity and intensity of the operation feeling by restricting upward movement and increasing downward movement speed, ensuring vibrations are easily felt and efficiently terminated.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member provided below the operation portion; The elastic member elastically urges the interlocking member such that the interlocking member is brought into press contact with the first damper member
Implementation Method 2
a first damper member provided below the interlocking member, contactable with the interlocking member, and having elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes: an operation portion allowing an input operation by an operating body contacting with or coming close to an upper surface thereof; an input detection portion detecting an input operation with respect to the operation portion; a driving member provided below the operation portion and driving the operation portion in an up-down direction; an elastic member provided below the operation portion; a case member holding the driving member; an interlocking member provided below the operation portion, connected to the operation portion, and driven with the operation portion; a restricting member provided between the operation portion and the interlocking member and restricting upward movement of the interlocking member; and an elastic first damper member provided below the interlocking member and contactable with the interlocking member. The elastic member elastically urges the interlocking member such that the interlocking member is brought into press contact with the first damper member.