Thermoplastic Covering Structure for Tactile Input Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch keyboards for tablets lack the pressing feeling of traditional keyboards and have alignment accuracy issues with pressing pads, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A covering structure with a thermoplastic material layer of varying thicknesses between two covering layers, providing distinct pressing portions for keyswitch units and non-switch regions, enhancing tactile feedback and simplifying manufacturing through hot-pressing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressing pads are disposed on the covering layer to simulate keyboard pressing feeling, then tactile feedback is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and alignment accuracy issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the covering layer and pressing pads into a single integrated structure made of thermoplastic material. The pressing portions are formed by hot-pressing the thermoplastic material to create localized thin regions, eliminating the need for separate pressing pad components and their associated alignment and attachment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic material layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the covering layer protecting the underlying structure, and it forms the pressing pads through hot-pressing to provide tactile feedback. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pressing pad components.
2Ease of operation
If pressing pads are disposed on the covering layer to simulate keyboard pressing feeling, then tactile feedback is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the covering layer and pressing pads into a single integrated structure made of thermoplastic material. The pressing portions are formed by hot-pressing the thermoplastic material to create localized thin regions, eliminating the need for separate pressing pad components and their associated alignment and attachment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic material layer forms its own pressing portions through hot-pressing without requiring external pressing pad components. The material itself provides the tactile feedback function through its varied thickness profile, eliminating the need for additional parts and reducing manufacturing steps.
3Length of moving object
If the covering layer is made flat to achieve thin appearance, then device thickness is reduced, but tactile feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different thickness within the thermoplastic material layer. The pressing portions have reduced thickness to provide tactile feedback, while the non-switch regions maintain sufficient thickness for structural integrity and thin appearance. This localized variation allows the covering to be thin overall while still providing raised pressing areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic material layer provides dynamic tactile feedback through its varied thickness. The pressing portions are designed to deform under finger pressure, providing tactile feedback, while returning to their original shape when pressure is released. This dynamic behavior enables tactile feedback in a thin structure.
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 provides improved tactile feedback for keyswitch activation and addresses alignment accuracy issues, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining a thin design.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermoplastic material layer part and a second thermoplastic material layer part that are connected to each other. The first thermoplastic material layer part has a first thickness. The second thermoplastic material layer part has a second thickness.
Data Source
AI summary
A covering structure including a bottom covering layer, a top covering layer, and a thermoplastic material layer is disclosed. The thermoplastic material layer is laminated between the bottom covering layer and the top covering layer. The thermoplastic material layer includes a first thermoplastic material layer part and a second thermoplastic material layer part that are connected to each other. The first thermoplastic material layer part has a first thickness. The second thermoplastic material layer part has a second thickness. The first thickness is larger than the thickness of the top covering layer. The first thickness is 4˜7 times of the second thickness. The disclosure further discloses an input device using the covering structure and a manufacturing method of the covering structure.