Input Device Segmentation for Click Feedback and Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices cannot effectively handle various types of operations while providing a sense of click, as they often inhibit the provision of this feedback during dynamic variations in the elastic body.
Innovation Solution
An input device comprising a pressure sensitive unit with a clicking part and a capacitive pressure sensor, along with sensing units that detect proximity or touch, allowing for alignment to handle different operations without inhibiting the sense of click, using capacitive sensors to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is used to detect elastic deformation, then measurement precision is improved, but the sense of click is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is segmented into multiple independent sensing units: a first sensing unit with a pressure sensor for detecting pressing operations, and a second sensing unit with a capacitive sensor for detecting touch operations. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific operation types, enabling the pressure sensor to detect elastic deformation for clicking operations while the capacitive sensor handles touch detection, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and sense of click provision
Solution Approach 2:
The input device achieves multi-functionality by integrating both pressure sensing and capacitive touch sensing capabilities into a single device. The pressure sensor detects pressing operations including clicking, while the capacitive sensor detects touch operations, allowing the device to handle various operation types without compromising the sense of click for pressing operations
2Ease of operation
If the device size is reduced to fingertip width, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from purely mechanical pressure detection to include capacitive detection. The capacitive sensor can detect touch operations with high precision even in a compact form factor,弥补 the limitation of pressure sensor precision in small devices. This parameter change enables the device to maintain fingertip-width compactness while preserving detection precision through the complementary capacitive sensing capability
3Device complexity
If a single pressure sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input device achieves multi-functionality by integrating both pressure sensing and capacitive touch sensing capabilities into a single device. The pressure sensor detects pressing operations including clicking, while the capacitive sensor detects touch operations, allowing the device to handle various operation types without compromising the sense of click for pressing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is segmented into multiple independent sensing units: a first sensing unit with a pressure sensor for detecting pressing operations, and a second sensing unit with a capacitive sensor for detecting touch operations. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific operation types, enabling the pressure sensor to detect elastic deformation for clicking operations while the capacitive sensor handles touch detection, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and sense of click provision
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 input device to handle various operations by reducing inhibitions against the provision of a sense of click, providing higher sensitivity and accuracy, even when the device is as large as a fingertip in width, with improved detection of operational states and directionality.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive pressure sensor that detects, by using a change in a capacitive value, pressure applied to the press surface
Implementation Method 2
The sensing unit is aligned with the pressure sensitive unit when viewed from a front side of the press surface and is configured to sense that the operation body comes in proximity to or touches a detection surface
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes a pressure sensitive unit and a sensing unit. The pressure sensitive unit includes a clicking part and a pressure sensor. The clicking part has a press surface and is configured to provide a sense of click to an operation body which applies pushing force to the press surface. The pressure sensor is disposed on an opposite side of the clicking part from the press surface. The sensing unit is aligned with the pressure sensitive unit when viewed from a front side of the press surface and is configured to sense that the operation body comes in proximity to or comes into contact with a second detection surface.