Retractable Optical Modules for Planar Touch Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch-sensitive display devices with optical touch technology require at least two protruding optical sensors, making it difficult to achieve a planar or slimmer design.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive display device with a movable cover and integrated optical modules that can retract into a container, allowing the optical modules to be exposed only when needed, thus maintaining a planar appearance while enabling optical touch functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical sensors protrude outward from the touch surface, then optical touch functionality is enabled, but the planar appearance and slimness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical modules are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically change position between protruding (for touch functionality) and retracted (for planar appearance). The movable cover enables this dynamic configuration, resolving the contradiction between functionality and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical modules are nested within the container structure, allowing them to be stored inside the display device body when not in use. This nesting approach enables the device to maintain a sleek, planar appearance while still providing access to optical touch functionality when needed.
2Reliability
If optical modules are always exposed, then optical touch sensitivity is maintained, but impact force and undesired touch signals increase when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the exposure state of optical modules based on operational needs. The movable cover allows the optical modules to be retracted when touch functionality is not required, eliminating exposure to impact forces and preventing generation of undesired touch signals while maintaining readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical modules are retracted into the container in advance before potential impact or unwanted activation occurs. This preliminary retraction action prevents harmful factors from affecting the optical modules and eliminates sources of undesired touch signals before they can occur.
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 a planar appearance while providing optical touch functionality by retracting the optical modules into a container, reducing the impact force on the modules and preventing undesired touch signals when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
The two optical modules are used for emitting and sensing lights, so as to form an optical touch-sensitive area upon the display surface
Implementation Method 2
The movable cover pivots on the container so as to have an open position and a storage position
Data Source
AI summary
A touch-sensitive display device includes a display body, a container, a movable cover and at least two optical modules. The display body has a display surface. The container is connected with the display body. The movable cover pivots on the container so as to have an open position and a storage position. The two optical modules are disposed on the movable cover. When the movable cover is at the open position, the two optical modules protrudes outward from an extended surface of the display surface, such that the two optical modules is exposed outward from the container. When the movable cover rotates from the open position to the storage position, the movable cover drives the two optical modules to move backward to be underneath the extended surface of the display surface, such that the two optical modules are located inside the container.