Rotatable Guiding Component for Vertical Touch Pad Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch pads in notebook computers are inconvenient for user operation due to the fulcrum-end design, where the force exerted by the user is too close to the fulcrum, making it difficult for the movable end to swing and trigger the switch effectively.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad structure with a guiding component and guiding structure that allows the touch pad to move vertically, ensuring that the switch is triggered regardless of the force application point, featuring a rotatable guiding component and a spring for easy operation and return to initial position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the touch pad uses a fulcrum-end design with the force application point close to the fulcrum, then the structure is compact and simple, but the movable end cannot be easily driven to swing and trigger the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional fulcrum-end design by making the touch pad movable along the vertical direction instead of swinging horizontally. The fulcrum is repositioned to allow vertical movement, and the switch is triggered by vertical displacement rather than horizontal swinging. This inversion resolves the contradiction by making the force application point effective regardless of its horizontal position on the touch pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal swinging motion (one-dimensional rotation around a fulcrum) to a vertical linear motion (one-dimensional translation along the vertical axis). By changing the dimension of movement from horizontal rotation to vertical translation, the design allows any point on the touch pad to effectively trigger the switch, resolving the issue of insufficient leverage when force is applied near the fulcrum.
2Ease of operation
If the touch pad is designed to move vertically to trigger the switch, then the touch pad can be operated easily from any position, but additional guiding components and structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding component as an intermediary element between the touch pad and the base. This guiding component includes a guiding structure that constrains the touch pad's movement to the vertical direction while allowing horizontal positioning flexibility. The guiding component mediates between the user's horizontal force application and the required vertical motion for switch triggering, resolving the contradiction by adding controlled complexity only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding component provides localized constraint only in the horizontal direction while allowing free movement in the vertical direction. This selective constraint approach means that the additional structure does not unnecessarily restrict other degrees of freedom, minimizing the impact on overall device complexity while achieving the desired operational ease.
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 effortless operation by ensuring the touch pad moves downward to trigger the switch regardless of force application, with the spring's elastic restoration force returning it to the initial position, enhancing user interaction with the notebook computer.
Implementation Method 1
with the spring's elastic restoration force returning it to the initial position
Implementation Method 2
The guiding structure is slidably connected to the guiding component
Data Source
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AI summary
A touch pad structure (100) includes a base (110), a guiding component (120) rotatably disposed on the base (110), a touch pad (130) disposed above the base (110), and a switch (140). The guiding component (120) is located between the base (110) and the touch pad (130). The touch pad (130) has an inner surface (131) facing the base (110). Here, the switch (140) is disposed on the inner surface (131), and a guiding structure (1301) is disposed on the inner surface (131). The guiding structure (1301) is slidably connected to the guiding component (120). The touch pad (130) moving toward the base (110) drives the guiding component (120) to rotate relative to the base (110) through the guiding structure (1301), and the touch pad (130) moves along a vertical direction (VD).