Side Fingerprint Button Structure With Displacement Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The arrangement of fingerprint recognition apparatus on the side of electronic devices leads to multiple buttons, affecting the conciseness and beauty of the device, and causes inconvenience to users due to the need for adjusting function button positions, degrading user experience.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus and a function button is secured with a stopping assembly, limiting the displacement of the apparatus within a specific range to prevent it from being displaced from its designed position, and incorporating a reinforcement component to enhance stability and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus is arranged on the side of the electronic device, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but the number of buttons increases affecting conciseness and beauty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition functionVSAvoidconciseness and beauty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus with a function button into a single integrated component. The fingerprint recognition apparatus is positioned such that it shares the same physical space as a function button, allowing users to perform both fingerprint authentication and function operations through the same physical interface, thereby reducing the total number of buttons while maintaining aesthetic design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus is added to the side, then fingerprint recognition capability is provided, but function button positions need adjustment causing inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition capabilityVSAvoidfunction button position adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the fingerprint recognition apparatus with existing function buttons, allowing the same physical button to serve dual purposes: fingerprint authentication and function activation. This eliminates the need to adjust function button positions separately, as the fingerprint apparatus is integrated into the button structure itself, maintaining ease of operation while adding functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus is combined with a function button, then device conciseness is improved, but the apparatus may be displaced from its designed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice concisenessVSAvoidapparatus position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stopping assembly as an intermediary component between the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus and the housing. This stopping assembly includes positioning structures that physically limit the movement range of the fingerprint apparatus, preventing it from being displaced beyond its designed position while still allowing the integrated button structure to maintain its compact and concise appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus is made movable for button function, then dual functionality is achieved, but the apparatus becomes vulnerable to displacement and fatigue-related failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual functionalityVSAvoiddisplacement and fatigue resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopping assembly acts as a mediator that provides controlled movement for the fingerprint recognition apparatus. It includes positioning walls and limiting structures that allow the apparatus to move within a specific range when pressed as a button, while simultaneously preventing excessive displacement that could lead to fatigue-related failures. This ensures the apparatus maintains dual functionality with enhanced reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4432257B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4432257B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4432257B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4432257B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. In the electronic device, a lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus (130) is in contact with a function button (121). An accommodating structure (136) is arranged in the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus (130). A stopping assembly (140) is arranged on a side of a fingerprint hole (1011) close to the function button (121) in the electronic device. Inserting a partial area of the stopping assembly (140) into the accommodating structure (136) enables the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus (130), when pressed, to move in movement space of the accommodating structure (136) on the side of the fingerprint hole (1011) close to the function button (121), so as to limit a displacement amount of the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus (130) within a specific range, implementing the functions of the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus and of the function button, and preventing the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus from being displaced from the originally designed position. Thus, the lateral fingerprint recognition apparatus can be well secured onto the electronic device.