Modular Seamless Haptic Touchpad Assembly for Easy Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchpads in information handling systems are difficult to replace due to adhesive issues, leading to potential damage of other components and limited modularity, making it challenging to accommodate different haptic actuation technologies and vendors, and resulting in reduced lifespan and increased manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A modular seamless haptic touchpad assembly with a seamless glass layer, touch sensing layer, and haptic actuator array, which is easily testable and replaceable, featuring a touchpad support bracket that fits uniformly into various base chassis openings, allowing for different haptic technologies and vendors, and includes a connector port for easy integration and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional touchpads are permanently attached using adhesive to the base chassis, then the touchpad is securely fixed in place, but replacement becomes difficult and may damage other components
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad assembly is divided into separate modular components: the touchpad itself, the support bracket, and the adhesive layer. This segmentation allows the touchpad to be securely attached while enabling easy replacement by removing the adhesive layer without damaging the base chassis or other components.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional touchpads are custom-built into specific base chassis, then the touchpad is optimized for that specific system, but modularity is limited and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is designed with universal mounting features that allow it to be attached to various base chassis configurations. The bracket includes multiple mounting holes and attachment points that can accommodate different system requirements, enabling the same touchpad assembly to be used across multiple product lines while maintaining optimized performance.
3Device complexity
If touchpads are permanently integrated into the base chassis, then the system structure is simplified, but the lifespan is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad assembly transitions from a static permanent integration to a dynamic modular design. The support bracket with standardized mounting features allows the touchpad to be easily removed and replaced throughout the system's lifecycle, extending the usable life of the base chassis and reducing manufacturing complexity for upgrades and repairs.
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 easier testing, replacement, and maintenance of touchpads, extending the lifespan of information handling systems, simplifying manufacturing by accommodating various haptic technologies and vendors, and reducing the risk of damage during replacement.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer disposed between the touchpad support bracket and the base chassis
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of manufacture for a modular seamless touchpad assembly comprising a seamless glass layer extending to a plurality of palm rest surfaces formed over a touchpad support bracket that extends across a top cover of a base chassis of an information handling system and including a touchpad printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a haptic actuator array coupled between the touchpad PCBA and the touchpad support bracket for generating haptic user feedback. The touchpad support bracket is formed under the haptic actuator array to support the modular seamless touchpad assembly as an installable hardware module to modularly fit within a touchpad opening formed in the top cover of the base chassis and a connector port to operatively couple a haptic touchpad controller with a reciprocal connector in the touchpad opening such that the modular seamless touchpad assembly is testable via the connector port before installation.