Nested Touch-and-Push Input for Compact Portable Sound Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable sound devices, particularly earbud-type devices, face challenges in accommodating user input units such as batteries, user input units, and other components due to their small size, making it difficult to integrate necessary functions like touch and push inputs efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a housing containing a user input unit that includes a first input unit for touch detection and a second input unit for push detection, mounted on a flexible substrate with insulation layers and a metal spring to maintain a distance for detecting changes in electric field, allowing for both types of inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the portable sound device is made small in size, then portability is improved, but the ability to accommodate user input units and other components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second input unit is disposed inside the first input unit. The first input unit is formed on the inner surface of the housing, while the second input unit is positioned within the space occupied by the first input unit, allowing both input units to coexist in a compact arrangement that maximizes space utilization in the small device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by disposing the second input unit inside the first input unit. This dimensional change allows both input units to be integrated in the limited space of the small device without simply increasing the device's external dimensions.
2Device complexity
If only a single input unit is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of detectable input types is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by providing two distinct input units within the housing: the first input unit detects touch inputs on the inner surface, while the second input unit detects push inputs from the outer surface. This allows the device to recognize multiple types of user commands (touch and push) without requiring separate devices or complex external controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the second input unit within the first input unit, where the second input unit is positioned inside the space occupied by the first input unit. This nested arrangement allows both touch detection (first input unit) and push detection (second input unit) to coexist in a compact configuration, enabling multiple input types without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the first input unit is disposed in close contact with the housing inner surface, then touch detection sensitivity is improved, but the space for the second input unit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this spatial conflict by nesting the second input unit inside the first input unit. The first input unit is disposed in close contact with the housing inner surface for optimal touch detection, while the second input unit is positioned within the volume occupied by the first input unit, utilizing the three-dimensional space efficiently without compromising either touch detection sensitivity or push input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by placing the second input unit inside the first input unit. This allows the first input unit to maintain close contact with the housing inner surface for sensitive touch detection, while the second input unit utilizes the internal volume for push detection without requiring additional external space.
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 device can detect two types of inputs, ensuring a sufficient number of user commands while maintaining a stable and assemblable structure, enhancing the functionality and usability of portable sound devices.
Implementation Method 1
The second input unit may include a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance at the other surface of the first substrate. The metal spring may be grounded, and a change in distance to the metal spring may be sensed based on a change in the magnitude of an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device comprises: a housing; and a user input portion located in the housing, wherein the user input portion comprises: a first input portion which is arranged to be in close contact with the inner surface of the housing and senses a touch input; and a second input portion which is arranged to be overlapped inside the first input portion and senses a push input, and thus, the portable electronic device can sense two types of inputs and can sufficiently secure the number of user commands which can be input.