Thin Film Switch Multi-Signal Output via Force-Dependent Conductor Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thin film switches can only produce a single electrical signal when pressed, limiting the functionality of press keys and keyboards, requiring users to press multiple keys to achieve complex movements in applications like computer games.
Innovation Solution
A thin film switch design featuring a first and second thin film with multiple conductor units, where different forces applied trigger engagements between the conductors at various positions, allowing for the generation of distinct electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional thin film switch uses only one pair of electric conductors, then the structure is simple, but only one electrical signal can be produced when pressed
Solution Approach 1:
The second conductor unit is segmented into multiple second electric conductors (at least three) arranged in different spatial positions. Each second conductor can be independently engaged with the first conductor based on the pressing force applied, enabling the switch to generate multiple different electrical signals from a single press operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-conductor configuration to a multi-conductor spatial arrangement. The second electric conductors are positioned at different locations (first position, second position, third position) on the second thin film, creating a spatial dimension that allows selective engagement based on pressing force, thereby enabling multiple signal outputs.
2Ease of operation
If multiple keys are pressed to achieve complex movements, then the control precision is improved, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single thin film switch with multiple second conductors performs the function of multiple separate keys. By applying different magnitudes of pressing force to one key, the user can selectively engage different second conductors with the first conductor, generating different electrical signals that correspond to different movements, thus making one key multi-functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the magnitude of pressing force as a variable parameter to control which electrical conductors are engaged. Different force levels (first force, second force, third force) cause different engagement patterns between the first conductor and the multiple second conductors, thereby changing the output signal based on the force parameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A thin film switch, comprising: a first thin film, having a first conductor unit mounted thereon; and a second thin film, having a second conductor unit mounted on a surface thereof facing toward the first thin film; wherein, the first conductor unit is composed of at least one first electric conductor; and the second conductor is composed of a plurality of second electric conductors to be arranged in a manner that one of the plural second electric conductors is disposed at a first position defined on the second thin film while designating another one of the plural second electric conductors to be disposed at a second position of the second thin film. Operationally, the thin film switch is capable of outputting different signals in response to different forces exerted thereon for triggering different electric conductors mounted on different positions in the thin film switch.