Rotary Input Device Bezel Pressing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, face challenges in integrating rotary input devices due to space constraints and the need for separate mechanical structures to detect rotation and provide tactile feedback, which can be cumbersome and limit input functionality.

Innovation Solution

A rotary input device with a bezel portion featuring pressing members and switch units that generate electrical signals upon rotation, utilizing a housing, pin portion, ball unit, and shielding unit to seal gaps and provide tactile feedback, allowing for compact and functional rotation detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a physical rotary input device is mounted in a wearable device, then rotation detection functionality is achieved, but the device size increases and space constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation detection functionalityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rotation detection function with the existing bezel structure by integrating pressing members directly into the bezel and using switch units that detect bezel rotation through pressing actions. This merging eliminates the need for a separate rotary input device, achieving rotation detection while maintaining compact wearable device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bezel structure is given multiple functions: it serves as both the display boundary and the rotation input mechanism. The pressing members integrated into the bezel allow the same structural element to provide both aesthetic/display framing and interactive rotation detection functionality, reducing overall device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a sensor unit is used to detect bezel rotation, then rotation recognition is achieved, but additional mechanical structures are required which increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation recognitionVSAvoidmechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical rotation detection mechanisms with a simpler pressing-based switch detection system. Instead of using sensors that require additional mechanical structures to detect bezel rotation, the design uses pressing members that directly actuate switch units, converting rotational motion into discrete pressing actions that are easier to detect with minimal mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the rotation detection function from complex sensor-based mechanical systems and simplifies it to a pressing member and switch unit combination. By taking out the unnecessary mechanical complexity and keeping only the essential pressing-action detection mechanism, the device achieves rotation recognition with reduced structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If magnetic sensor is used for rotation detection, then rotation sensing is achieved, but metal materials cannot be used which limits design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation sensingVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces magnetic sensor-based detection with a mechanical pressing-based switch detection system. This substitution eliminates the constraint of not being able to use metal materials, as the switch units and pressing members can be made from various materials including metals, providing greater design flexibility and material selection freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If optical sensor is used for rotation detection, then rotation recognition is achieved, but additional plates or operations are required to alter light reflectivity which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation recognitionVSAvoidadditional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical sensor-based detection with a mechanical pressing-based switch detection system. This eliminates the need for additional plates or operations to alter light reflectivity, as the pressing members directly actuate the switch units through mechanical contact, achieving rotation recognition without additional optical components or complex operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10013073B2Rotary input device and electronic device adopting the same

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A rotary input device comprising: a bezel portion that includes one or more pressing members; and one or more switch units, wherein each of the switch units is arranged to come in physical contact with any of the pressing members when the bezel portion is rotated, and generate an electrical on/off signal when the switch unit comes in physical contact with any of the pressing members.