Pointing Device With Sensors Below Keyboard Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pointing devices for laptops face issues such as the risk of short circuits due to water exposure, pressure sensor breakdown from excessive force, and limitations in reducing size and height, primarily due to the arrangement of pressure sensors above the keyboard plate.

Innovation Solution

A pointing device design with pressure sensors arranged below the keyboard plate, utilizing a stud to reduce detection pressure and an elastic waterproof material to prevent liquid ingress, along with a cushioning material to absorb impact, allowing for a smaller and more durable operation cap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If pressure sensors are arranged above the keyboard plate, then the pointing device can be made thinner, but the operation cap size and height cannot be reduced further and impact resistance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointing device heightVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing pressure sensors below the keyboard plate instead of above it. This inversion allows the operation cap to be smaller and more compact while the stud mechanism transmits pressing force through the keyboard plate to the sensors, maintaining detection capability while improving impact resistance and reducing overall device height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a stud as an intermediary mechanical element that transmits the pressing force from the operation cap through the keyboard plate to the pressure sensors. This mediator allows force transmission while isolating the sensors from direct impact, enabling better impact resistance and allowing the operation cap to be smaller without compromising sensor protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are arranged above the keyboard plate, then detection is direct, but the sensors are vulnerable to breakdown from excessive pressing force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by positioning the pressure sensors below the keyboard plate and using the stud mechanism to transmit force gradually through the plate. This arrangement cushions the sensors from direct excessive impact forces while maintaining sufficient force transmission for accurate pressure detection, preventing sensor breakdown from user pressing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If the operation cap is made smaller, then the pointing device planar size is reduced, but gap reduction for waterproofing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointing device planar sizeVSAvoidwaterproofing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the sensor arrangement to below the keyboard plate, the patent enables smaller operation cap dimensions while the stud mechanism extends through the plate to maintain adequate spacing and sealing gaps, improving waterproofing effectiveness despite the reduced overall size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design enhances impact resistance, prevents pressure sensor breakdown, and reduces the size and height of the pointing device while maintaining effective cursor control and water resistance.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure sensors 17a-17d detect pressure when a pressing operation is performed on the upper surface of the operation cap 11 to generate a signal for determining the moving speed and moving direction of the mouse cursor 51

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

a stud for reducing, from an initial pressure, a detection pressure of each of the multiple pressure sensors, in response to a pressing operation to the operation cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9939926B2Pointing device for a portable computer including multiple pressure sensors located below a keyboard plate

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A pointing device is disclosed. The pointing device includes an operation cap having an operation surface fitted into a stud. The stud is fixed to a keyboard plate with a screw from below together with a sensor plate. A waterproof material is provided between the stud and the keyboard plate. Multiple pressure sensors are arranged below the keyboard plate. The pressure sensors are applied with a predetermined pressure beforehand. When the operation surface is depressed, the stud and the sensor plate slide and move downward while being tilted to reduce the detection pressures of the pressure sensors. Since the pressure sensors exist below the keyboard plate, the operation cap can be downsized, and the pressure sensors can be protected from impact to the operation cap.