SMD Switch Flexible Element Reduces Touchpad Click Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchpad modules generate unpleasant noise due to collisions between switch elements and triggering parts, which existing rubber elements or covers fail to adequately mitigate, limiting noise reduction efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A surface mount device (SMD) switch with a pedestal, flexible conducting element, and metal dome is used, where the flexible conducting element is deformable towards the circuit board, reducing noise by providing a spacing distance that buffers the collision between the metal dome and the circuit board, thus enhancing user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional switch element with metal dome and triggering part is used, then the touchpad module can detect pressing operations, but unpleasant click noise is generated due to collision between components
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible conducting element is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal dome and the triggering part. This flexible element deforms under pressure to activate the switch while its flexibility absorbs collision energy, significantly reducing the click noise generated by direct metal-to-metal contact between the dome and triggering part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the conducting element from rigid to flexible. By using a flexible conducting element instead of a rigid conductor, the system maintains electrical conductivity while altering the mechanical interaction characteristics, thereby reducing noise during pressing operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If rubber elements or covers are added to reduce noise, then click sound is partially mitigated, but the noise reduction efficacy is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical conducting function and the noise reduction function into a single flexible conducting element. This component simultaneously serves as the electrical conductor needed for switch operation and as the noise-dampening element, eliminating the need for separate rubber elements or covers and thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible conducting element performs multiple functions: it conducts electricity to register the press event, provides tactile feedback through its deformation, and reduces noise through its flexible material properties. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
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 SMD switch effectively alleviates click sounds, improving the operational comfort of touchpad modules by reducing noise and maintaining tactile feedback without adverse effects on user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible conducting element is deformable in a direction toward the circuit board to generate an elastic force. When the triggering part is not pushed by the surface mount device switch, the flexible conducting element is not contacted with and pushed by the metal dome and the flexible conducting element is restored to an original shape in response to the elastic force.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface mount device switch includes a pedestal, a flexible conducting element and a metal dome. The flexible conducting element is connected with the pedestal. There is a spacing distance between the flexible conducting element and a circuit board. The metal dome is located under a pedestal conducting part of the pedestal and the flexible conducting element. When the flexible conducting element is pushed by the metal dome, the flexible conducting element is deformable in the direction toward the circuit board. Since the collision between the metal dome and the flexible conducting element is alleviated, the noise is reduced. Consequently, the comfort of operating the touchpad module is enhanced. The present invention further provides a touchpad module and a computing device with the surface mount device switch.