Input Apparatus Knob Electrostatic Sensor Spring Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input apparatuses with electrostatic capacitance sensors face high manufacturing costs and poor assembling abilities due to the use of flexible printed circuit boards, and they often suffer from rattling issues with operation knobs.
Innovation Solution
An input apparatus design that employs a metal electrostatic-capacitance detection plate on the operation knob, a circuit board with a formed electrostatic capacitance detection circuit pattern, and a compression-coil spring to establish electrical connections without a flexible printed circuit board, ensuring stable operation and reduced manufacturing costs by using a spring support member for easy assembly and to prevent rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible printed circuit board is used to retrieve detected information from the electrostatic capacitance sensor, then the sensor can be integrated in the operation knob, but the manufacturing costs of components increase and the assembling ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible printed circuit board from the system and replaces it with a rigid circuit board having a detection circuit pattern. This eliminates the need for flexible connections while maintaining the electrostatic capacitance sensing function, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving assembling ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible mechanical connection (flexible printed circuit board) with an integrated rigid circuit board design. The detection circuit pattern is directly formed on the rigid circuit board, substituting the mechanical flexibility requirement with an integrated circuit solution that reduces cost and improves assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible printed circuit board is used to retrieve detected information from the electrostatic capacitance sensor, then the sensor can be integrated in the operation knob, but the assembling ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible printed circuit board component entirely and integrates the detection circuit pattern directly onto a rigid circuit board. This simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need to handle and connect flexible circuits, thereby improving assembling ability while maintaining sensor integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection circuit pattern directly onto the rigid circuit board, combining what were previously separate components (sensor and circuit board) into an integrated assembly. This reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembling process.
3Device complexity
If the operation knob is attached to the case without proper support, then the structure is simplified, but rattling occurs and stable operation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support member as an intermediary component between the operation knob and the case. This support member provides necessary mechanical support to prevent rattling while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The support member acts as a mediator that ensures stable operation without significantly complicating the design.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, enhances assembling ease, and prevents rattling between the operation knob and the case, allowing for stable and accurate operation of the input apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a compression-coil spring having a first end, which is caused to abut against the electrostatic-capacitance detection plate by an urging force in such a manner as to be electrically connected to the electrostatic-capacitance detection plate
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects an operating body, such as a finger, coming close to or being in contact with the operation knob
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An input apparatus (1) includes a four-direction push switch (4) that switches an input mode as a result of an operation knob (3), which is mounted on a case (2), being operated and an electrostatic capacitance sensor (5) that detects an operating body, such as a finger, coming close to or being in contact with the operation knob (3). The electrostatic capacitance sensor (5) includes an electrostatic-capacitance detection plate (50), which is provided on the rear surface of the operation knob (3) and which is made of a metal, and an electrostatic capacitance detection circuit pattern (6A), which is formed on a circuit board (6), and the electrostatic-capacitance detection plate (50) and the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit pattern (6A) are electrically connected to each other by a compression-coil spring (51).