Seamless Key Display Lens with Inhibiting Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aesthetic improvements in electronic mobile devices, such as continuous lens structures overlying display modules and menu keys, lead to key falsing issues due to the smooth appearance, where adjacent keys are inadvertently deflected, and touch-sensitive inputs lack tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
The key/display assembly incorporates a lens with deflectable portions and feet that inhibit adjacent contact regions from actuating switches, providing a continuous aesthetic while preventing falsing and offering low initial tactile feedback through a 'see-saw' structure and in-mold decorative features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a continuous lens structure is used to overlay display module and menu keys, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but key manipulation reliability deteriorates due to falsing
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple independent contact regions (first contact region, second contact region, etc.) that are separated by feet. Each contact region is independently deflectable and associated with a specific switch, preventing lateral deflection from spreading to adjacent keys while maintaining the overall continuous aesthetic appearance of the lens structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Feet are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent contact regions. These feet act as mechanical barriers that prevent lateral deflection of the lens from one contact region from transmitting to adjacent contact regions, thereby preventing falsing while maintaining the continuous visual appearance of the lens.
2Shape
If mechanical switches with continuous lens structure are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but tactile feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple independent contact regions that can deflect independently. This segmentation allows each contact region to provide localized tactile feedback to the user when pressed, while the overall continuous appearance of the lens is maintained from a visual perspective.
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 solution enhances user manipulability by preventing switch falsing and providing tactile feedback, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design while ensuring accurate key actuation.
Implementation Method 1
The lens includes a first contact region adjacent the first switch and a second contact region adjacent the second switch. The inner surface supports a first foot disposed between the first contact region and the second contact region. A first key is defined by the first switch and the first contact region such that the first key is actuated by deflecting the first contact region to actuate the first switch.
Data Source
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AI summary
A key/display assembly (108) includes first and second switch (216B)es, a display module (212), and a lens (122) is disposed adjacent the display module (212). The lens (122) includes a first contact region (226A), a second contact region (226B), and an inner surface that supports a first foot (234A) between the first contact region (226A) and the second contact region (226B). A first key (120A) is defined by the first switch (216A) and the first contact region (226A) and is actuated by deflecting the first contact region (226A) to actuate the first switch (216A). A second key (120B) is defined by the second switch (216B) and the second contact region (226B) and is actuated by deflecting the second contact region (226B) to actuate the second switch (216B). When actuating the first key (120A), the first foot (234A) inhibits the second contact region (226B) from actuating the second switch (216B). When actuating the second key (120B), the first foot (234A) inhibits the first contact region (226A) from actuating the first switch (216A).