Operation Device Uniform Reaction Force via Tilt Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation devices with touch sensors and mechanical switches fail to provide uniform operation reaction forces regardless of the pressed position, leading to inconsistencies in user feedback.
Innovation Solution
The use of a support structure incorporating torsion bars and proximity sensors to adjust the threshold for detecting a pressing operation based on the tilt and position of the operation body, ensuring uniform operation reaction forces across different pressing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the central part of the touch pad is supported by a mechanical switch and the two ends are supported by compression springs, then the operation resistance force is compensated when the touch pad is pressed at the position away from the central part, but the operation reaction force becomes excessively large when the touch pad is pressed at the position immediately above or in the vicinity of the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different support mechanisms to different regions of the touch pad: a mechanical switch at the central part and compression springs at the two ends. This local differentiation allows the central region to provide strong reaction force while the end regions provide compensated reaction force, achieving relatively uniform operation reaction force across the entire touch pad surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support mechanism by using different types of mechanical components (switch vs. springs) with different force characteristics. The compression springs are specifically designed to compensate for the decrease in operation resistance force at positions away from the center, thereby adjusting the force parameter to achieve uniformity across different pressing positions.
2Shape
If the touch pad is pressed at the position away from the center, then the operation body is tilted, but the reaction force felt by the finger differs depending on the pressed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by positioning compression springs at the two ends of the touch pad to specifically address the tilt issue. When the touch pad is pressed at positions away from the center, these springs provide additional support that compensates for the tilt-induced force variation, ensuring consistent reaction force despite the change in the operation body's shape/tilt.
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 effectively reduces the difference in operation reaction forces between central and peripheral positions, providing a consistent user experience by varying the threshold values according to the tilt and position, thus making the reaction forces uniform.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor that detects an approaching distance between the operation body and the support part from an electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a pair of second elastic members that functions both as a support link and as the torsion bar
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(A)~5
AI summary
Object: To provide an operation device that can obtain approximately the same operation reaction force regardless of a pressed position of an operation body. Means of Solution: When an operation body 20 is pressed, a tilt of the operation body 20 is detected from detection outputs of proximity sensors 40a, 40b, and 40c, and the pressed position with respect to the operation body 20 is detected by a touch sensor. A control part varies a threshold value according to the tilt of the operation body 20 and the pressed position, and recognizes the pressing operation when a pressing distance of the operation body detected by the proximity sensors 40a, 40b, and 40c exceeds the threshold value.