Rotating Input Surface Force Sensing with Axis-Relative Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current input devices with force sensors are complicated and expensive to mount, and are affected by chassis twist and user palm pressure, which complicates accurate force sensing.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable input surface mounted using a simple and cost-effective rotating structure, with a force sensor that adjusts its output based on the position of the input object and the force sensor's location relative to the axis of rotation, allowing for accurate determination of force information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical system is used to mount the input device with force sensors, then force sensing capability is achieved, but the mounting structure becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical mounting structures with a simplified design where the input device surface itself rotates about an axis, eliminating the need for complicated mechanical force transmission mechanisms while maintaining force sensing capability through the rotation-based force amplification effect
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used in the input device, then force information can be detected, but the device becomes affected by chassis twist and user palm pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the force sensing function from the chassis structure and relocates it to the input device surface that rotates about an axis. This separation allows the force sensor to detect only the force applied to the input surface, eliminating interference from chassis twist and palm pressure that would otherwise affect the measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the input surface about an axis to create a mechanical advantage system. The rotation converts small forces applied at the input surface into larger, more measurable forces at the sensor location, while the dynamic nature of the rotation allows the system to reject static interference from chassis twist and palm pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments described herein provide devices, systems and methods that facilitate improved performance in an input device. The input device, for example, may include an input surface configured to rotate about a first axis, a proximity sensor configured to sense an input object in a sensing region proximate to the input surface of the input device, a force sensor configured to sense a force applied to the input surface of the input device, and a processing system communicatively coupled to the proximity sensor and the force sensor. The processing system may be configured to determine a position of the input object in the sensing region, and determine force information for the input object based upon the position of the input object, the force applied to the input surface, and a location of the force sensor relative to the first axis.