Scissor Mechanism for Uniform Touch Sensor Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a robust and inexpensive input device assembly that facilitates the use of click pad technology, which provides tactile feedback and reliable user interface inputs in electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
The input device assembly includes a base, a touch sensor, and a scissor mechanism with first and second arms, where the arms are rotatably and slidably connected to provide uniform deflection and actuation of a switch upon touch sensor depression, maintaining the device's usability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If click pad technology is implemented to provide tactile feedback, then user interface usability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple scissor mechanism arms (first arm with first and second end portions, second arm with first and second end portions) that are rotatably connected. This segmentation allows each arm to independently rotate and slide, providing uniform translation of the touch sensor while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a robust input device assembly is created to ensure reliable operation, then device reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scissor mechanism arms are designed to dynamically rotate and slide during operation. The first arm rotates at its first end portion and slides at its second end portion, while the second arm rotates at its first end portion and slides at its second end portion. This dynamic design ensures uniform translation of the touch sensor upon depression, providing reliable operation while maintaining cost-effective manufacturing through simple rotational and sliding connections.
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
The scissor mechanism ensures reliable and uniform translation of the touch sensor, enhancing user interface interactions with electronic systems by providing tactile feedback and efficient input responses, while maintaining a compact footprint and low cost.
Implementation Method 1
The scissor mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm has first and second end portions and first and second side portions interconnecting the first and second end portions. The first end portion of the first arm is rotatably mounted to one of the base and the touch sensor. The second end portion of the first arm is slidable relative to the other of the base and the touch sensor.
Implementation Method 2
Deflection of the touch sensor causes the first end portion of the first arm to rotate relative to the one of the base and the touch sensor
Implementation Method 3
the second end portion of the first arm to slide relative to the other of the base and the touch sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An input device and a method for providing an input device are provided. The input device assembly includes a base, a sensor support, and a scissor mechanism attached to the base and the sensor support. The scissor mechanism allows for only substantially uniform translation of the sensor support towards the base in response to a force biasing the sensor support substantially towards the base.