Ring Control Knob Structure for Combined Press and Rotation Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panel operating apparatuses cannot simultaneously detect both rotating and pressing operations effectively, as they either lack a hole for display or illumination or increase in size when trying to add a pressure detecting mechanism, and existing rotating operation detectors cannot handle pressing operations.

Innovation Solution

An operating apparatus with a ring-shaped operation body having a circular hole, featuring a press detection conductor and a rotation detection conductor arranged around the hole, allowing for both pressing and rotating operations while maintaining a compact design and enabling the use of the hole for display or illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure detecting mechanism is added to enable pressing operation detection, then pressing detection capability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing detection capabilityVSAvoidoperation body size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressing detection conductor and rotation detection conductor into a single integrated structure that shares common components (supporter, operation body, hole structure). This merging allows both pressing and rotation detection functions to coexist without proportionally increasing device volume, as the conductors are arranged around a shared hole and utilize common structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operation body is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the rotating component and the pressing component. The same operation body structure enables both rotational operations (detected by the rotation detection conductor) and pressing operations (detected by the pressing detection conductor), eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the operation body is designed without a hole to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the hole cannot be used for display or illumination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddisplay or illumination functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The operation body is segmented into distinct functional zones: the hole area (for display/illumination) and the surrounding area (for detection conductors). This segmentation allows the hole to serve its display/illumination purpose while the surrounding structure maintains structural integrity and houses the detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the operation body have different qualities/functions: the hole region is optimized for light transmission/display, while the surrounding region contains the detection conductors and maintains structural strength. This local differentiation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a ring-shaped operation body is used to enable rotation detection, then rotation detection capability is improved, but pressing operation detection is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation detection capabilityVSAvoidpressing operation detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotation detection function and pressing detection function into a single integrated detection system. Both the rotation detection conductor and pressing detection conductor are arranged around the same hole and share common structural elements (supporter, operation body), allowing both rotational and pressing operations to be detected by the same operation body structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operation body is designed as a universal component that can detect both rotational operations and pressing operations. The ring-shaped structure enables rotation detection through the rotation detection conductor, while the same structure also enables pressing detection through the pressing detection conductor, making the operation body multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate detection of both pressing and rotating operations with a simple, compact design that allows the hole to be used for display or illumination, improving user interaction and device aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a detection panel that detects a change in electrostatic capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance change: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11604083B2Operation device

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An operating apparatus is disposed on a surface of a detection panel including a transparent panel and a sensor panel. An operation body includes an upper wall, an inner peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral wall. A rotary assembly is housed in the operation body. The rotary assembly includes a supporter fixed to the detection panel and a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter. The rotational operation member is rotatable together with the operation body. A press detection conductor is provided at a conductor supporting portion of the operation body. A rotation detecting conductor is provided at the rotational operation member.