Piezoelectric Button Device Vibration Feedback Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing button devices using piezoelectric elements are difficult to manufacture in thin forms suitable for portable products and lack effective vibration transfer to users.

Innovation Solution

A button device design featuring a piezoelectric element with a supporting plate, cover, first and second spacers, and a dot, where the second spacer creates a separation space to facilitate vibration transfer, allowing the piezoelectric element to deform and provide feedback to users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piezoelectric element is used in a button device, then vibration feedback capability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases and thin form factor becomes hard to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration feedback capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The button device is divided into distinct functional segments: the piezoelectric element (with piezoelectric body and plate), the supporting plate, the cover, and the spacers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process. The piezoelectric element can be manufactured as a thin, integrated unit with the plate already attached, reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first spacer acts as an intermediary element between the piezoelectric element and the supporting plate, providing a controlled gap that allows the piezoelectric element to deform freely when voltage is applied. This intermediary structure enables the piezoelectric effect to function properly without requiring complex mounting arrangements, thus simplifying manufacturing while maintaining vibration feedback capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the button device is made thin for portable products, then adaptability to portable devices is improved, but vibration transfer effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to portable devicesVSAvoidvibration transfer effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second spacer is strategically positioned only at the edge portion of the plate, creating a localized separation space between the plate and the cover. This local quality approach allows the center region of the plate to remain in close contact with the cover for effective vibration transfer, while the edge region has the spacer to prevent binding and allow thermal expansion or manufacturing tolerances. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining thin overall profile while ensuring effective vibration transfer in the critical contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If spacers are added to enable piezoelectric element deformation, then vibration feedback is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration feedbackVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first spacer is designed as a thin film or shell structure that provides the necessary flexibility and deformation space for the piezoelectric element. This thin-film approach maintains the overall thin profile of the button device while providing the functional complexity needed for effective vibration feedback. The spacer's simple geometric form (providing a gap between components) reduces manufacturing complexity compared to more complex mechanical deformation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 the easy manufacturing of thin, portable button devices that effectively transfer vibrations to users, enhancing user feedback and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Piezoelectric elements mean elements using a piezoelectric effect, in which electric polarizability occurs and a potential difference is created when an external force or touch is applied, but on the other hand, deformation or stress is created when a voltage is applied.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a dot provided in the separation space to transfer the external force to the piezoelectric element or to transfer a vibration of the piezoelectric element to the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration transfer: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10103313B2Button device using piezoelectric element

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 STACC CO LTD

AI summary

A button device includes a piezoelectric element which includes a piezoelectric body with one surface on which a first external electrode and a second external electrode are formed and a plate with one surface attached to the other surface of the piezoelectric body, a supporting plate disposed on the one surface of the piezoelectric body, a cover disposed on the other surface of the plate, a first spacer provided between an edge portion of the one surface of the plate and the supporting plate, a second spacer provided between at least a part of an edge portion of the other surface of the plate and the cover to provide a separation space between the plate and the cover, and a dot provided in the separation space to transfer an external force to the piezoelectric element or to transfer a vibration of the piezoelectric element to the cover.