Magnetic Touchpad Frame Stabilization for Uniform Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchpads in laptop computers face challenges in ensuring equal force exertion across different positions, leading to ambiguous haptic feedback and unintended instructions due to uneven force distribution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of first and second magnetic elements on the bottom plate and frame of the touchpad unit, respectively, generates a repulsion force to maintain the frame in an initial position, allowing equal force exertion across the touchpad surface, eliminating the need for hinges and preventing incorrect inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional touchpad mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the force distribution is uneven leading to ambiguous haptic feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical hinge-based support structure with a magnetic field-based support system. First and second magnetic elements are positioned on opposite sides of the touchpad, generating magnetic repulsion forces that replace mechanical hinges to maintain the touchpad frame in its initial position, achieving uniform force distribution without complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution of magnetic elements to control the magnetic field parameters. By adjusting the position, strength, and distribution of the first and second magnetic elements, the magnetic repulsion force is optimized to provide uniform support across the entire touchpad surface, ensuring equal force exertion at different positions
2Manufacturing precision
If magnetic elements are added to achieve equal force distribution, then haptic feedback accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic support system into separate first and second magnetic elements positioned on opposite sides of the touchpad. This segmentation allows independent positioning and adjustment of each magnetic element, enabling precise control over force distribution while facilitating modular assembly and manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic elements as intermediary components between the touchpad frame and the support structure. These magnetic elements mediate the interaction by generating repulsion forces that indirectly support the touchpad, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and complex hinge assemblies
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
This solution ensures consistent and accurate force distribution, preventing ambiguous haptic feedback and incorrect instructions by maintaining the touchpad components in a stable initial position until an external force is applied, allowing for precise click actions and input control.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second magnetic elements generate a repulsion force to keep the frame in an initial position relative to the bottom plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided, including a display module, an input module, a touchpad unit disposed on the input module, several first magnetic elements, and several second magnetic elements. The input module is connected to the display module. The first magnetic elements are disposed on the bottom plate of the touchpad unit, and the second magnetic elements are disposed on the frame of the touchpad unit. The first and second magnetic elements generate a repulsion force to keep the frame in an initial position relative to the bottom plate.