Movable Touchscreen Assembly With Tactile Feedback Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen devices on portable electronic devices lack desirable tactile feedback, making it difficult for users to confirm input and leading to potential erroneous inputs due to the absence of positive feedback mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design featuring a moveable touch screen display with a support tray and locking arrangement that provides tactile feedback through mechanical switches and gel pads, allowing the display to pivot and actuate switches upon user input, while an optional locking mechanism can inhibit movement to prevent unwanted actuation during voice communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a touch-sensitive display is used in a portable electronic device, then the device size can be reduced and space for user input is optimized, but tactile feedback is lost making it difficult for users to confirm input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a touch-sensitive display with a mechanical switch assembly into a single integrated structure. The support tray that holds the display also contains the mechanical switches, and pressing the display directly actuates the switches underneath. This merging allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while providing tactile feedback through the mechanical switches, resolving the contradiction between small size and tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tray acts as an intermediary structure between the touch-sensitive display and the mechanical switches. When a user presses the display, the force is transmitted through the support tray to actuate the mechanical switches. This intermediary mechanism allows the display itself to serve as the actuating element for the switches, providing tactile feedback without requiring separate buttons or controls, thus maintaining device compactness.
2Ease of operation
If the touch screen display is made moveable to provide tactile feedback, then user interaction is improved, but the device may be prone to unwanted actuation or noise during use
Solution Approach 1:
The support tray is designed to be selectively movable rather than fixed. A locking mechanism can engage to hold the support tray in a fixed position, preventing any movement of the display and eliminating the possibility of unwanted actuation. When unlocked, the support tray can move freely to provide tactile feedback during normal operation. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between providing tactile feedback and preventing unwanted actuation as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical switches provide immediate tactile feedback to the user when the display is pressed, confirming that input has been registered. This feedback mechanism helps users distinguish between intentional presses and accidental contacts, reducing unwanted actuation. The audible and tactile response from the mechanical switches serves as confirmation that a deliberate input was made, improving reliability of user interaction.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are added under the touch screen to provide tactile feedback, then input confirmation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical switches are integrated into the support tray structure that already exists to hold the touch-sensitive display. Rather than adding separate button assemblies or complex mechanical mechanisms, the invention utilizes the existing support tray as the mounting structure for the switches. This merging approach provides tactile feedback functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the switches share the same structural platform as the display.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a housing having a touch-sensitive display moveable relative to the housing and a locking plate that inhibits movement of the touch-sensitive display relative to the housing.