Input Device Lever Mechanism for Accurate Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices with touch panels face issues such as distortion and inaccurate force detection due to the distribution of pressing force across multiple force detectors, leading to increased complexity and cost, and reduced accuracy in detecting pressing forces, especially when the pressed position is far from the detectors.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a pressure detector comprising a lever that warps under pressure, a protruding part, and a surrounding wall, where a pressure detection element outputs a signal based on the deformation, and an elastic part applies pre-pressure to prevent distortion, allowing accurate force detection regardless of the pressed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple force detectors are used to detect pressing force at different positions, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force detection functions into a single pressure detector by using a lever mechanism with a deformation part that warps under pressure. The lever amplifies and transmits force from different positions on the operation panel to a single pressure detection element, eliminating the need for multiple separate force detectors while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operation panel and the pressure detection element. It transfers and amplifies pressing forces from various positions on the panel to the single pressure detection element, enabling one detector to effectively monitor multiple locations without direct contact at each position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If force detectors are placed at four corners of the input unit, then structural stability is improved, but detection accuracy decreases when pressed position is far from detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The lever serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the operation panel and the pressure detection element. It effectively transmits pressing forces from any position on the panel to the detection element, eliminating the position-dependent accuracy issues that arise when detectors are placed only at corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism transforms the spatial distribution problem by introducing a mechanical amplification dimension. Instead of relying on direct spatial proximity between detectors and pressed positions, the lever creates a force transmission pathway that is independent of the pressed position, effectively adding a mechanical transmission dimension to the detection system.
3Force
If pressing force is distributed to multiple force detectors, then load distribution is improved, but detection accuracy decreases due to variation among detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple force detection functions into a single pressure detector. The lever collects and consolidates pressing forces from different positions into a single amplified force that acts on one pressure detection element, eliminating accuracy variations that would result from using multiple separate detectors with different characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is segmented into a deformation part and a non-deformation part, with the pressure detection element positioned on the non-deformation part. This segmentation allows the deformation part to flex and amplify the pressing force while keeping the detection element in a stable position, separating the force amplification function from the detection function to improve accuracy.
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 enables accurate detection of pressing forces with a simpler configuration, reducing the impact of distortion and position variation, and minimizing the number of required pressure detection elements, thus improving detection accuracy and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation part that warps when the pressing force is applied
Implementation Method 2
a pressure detection element that is disposed in a region of the second surface of the deformation part surrounded by the surrounding wall, warps along with the deformation part, and outputs a pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressing force
Implementation Method 3
The elastic part is disposed between the protruding part or the surrounding wall and the frame or the operation panel and applies a pre-pressure to the deformation part
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes an operation panel, a frame disposed on a back side of the operation panel, a pressure detector disposed between the operation panel and the frame, and an elastic part. The pressure detector includes a lever including a deformation part that warps when a pressing force is applied, a protruding part provided on a first surface of the deformation part, and a surrounding wall provided on a periphery of a second surface of the deformation part; and a pressure detection element that is disposed in a region of the second surface of the deformation part surrounded by the surrounding wall, warps along with the deformation part, and outputs a pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressing force. The elastic part is disposed between the protruding part or the surrounding wall and the frame or the operation panel and applies a pre-pressure to the deformation part.