Pen Tip Elastic Structure for Quiet Writing and Writability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen-type input devices for electronic blackboards face challenges in reducing writing sound while maintaining writability, as using soft cushioning materials increases stroke and reduces writability, and hard materials fail to sufficiently reduce sound.
Innovation Solution
A pen-type input device with a dual-layer elastic structure comprising a first elastic body with lower stiffness and a second elastic body with higher stiffness, where the first body is compressed preferentially to minimize sound and stroke, and the second body supports writability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft cushioning material is used to reduce writing sound, then writing sound is reduced, but the stroke of the contact portion increases so that writability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning material is divided into multiple layers with different hardness levels. The first cushioning material (softer) contacts the display portion to reduce writing sound, while the second cushioning material (harder) is positioned closer to the contact portion to maintain writability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cushioning structure have different hardness properties. The first cushioning material has lower hardness (higher softness) to absorb impact and reduce sound at the contact interface, while the second cushioning material has higher hardness to provide structural support and maintain writability. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If a hard cushioning material is used to improve writability, then writability is improved, but writing sound may fail to be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning structure is segmented into two functional zones: an outer layer (first cushioning material) for sound reduction and an inner layer (second cushioning material) for maintaining writability. This segmentation allows the hard material to be used where needed for writability while the soft material handles sound reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardness property is distributed non-uniformly across the cushioning structure. The region closer to the display portion uses softer material for sound reduction, while the region closer to the contact portion uses harder material for writability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between sound reduction and writability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the thickness of the contact portion is increased to reduce writing sound, then writing sound is reduced, but the stroke of the contact portion increases so that writability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The total thickness is segmented into two cushioning material layers with different hardness levels. The first layer (softer) is positioned at the sound-critical interface, while the second layer (harder) is positioned inward. This segmentation allows effective sound reduction without requiring excessive total thickness that would increase stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thickness distributions are applied at different locations within the cushioning structure. The softer first cushioning material is positioned where sound reduction is most needed (at the display interface), while the harder second cushioning material is positioned inward where structural support is needed. This local quality optimization achieves sound reduction with minimal stroke increase.
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 dual-layer elastic structure effectively reduces writing sound while maintaining excellent writability by controlling the retraction amount of the movable portion, thereby improving the writability of the pen-type input device.
Implementation Method 1
the first elastic body and the second elastic body each being elastically deformed by retraction of the movable portion to reduce a thickness in the advancing and retracting directions
Data Source
AI summary
A writing device includes a movable portion having a contact portion and being configured to be movable in advancing and retracting directions to be retracted when the contact portion comes into contact with a contact target portion; a holding portion configured to hold the movable portion; and an elastic portion provided on a side opposite from a contact portion side of the movable portion in the advancing and retracting directions. The elastic portion includes a first elastic body and a second elastic body that are each elastically deformed by retraction of the movable portion to reduce a thickness in the advancing and retracting directions. The first elastic body and the second elastic body are provided adjacent to each other in this order with respect to the movable portion, and the first elastic body is an elastic body having stiffness lower than stiffness of the second elastic body.