Top Mount Clickpad Module Rear Surface Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clickable input pads for electronic systems are limited by the area designated for button clicks, which reduces the area available for proximity sensing and require supplemental stiffening layers to support the keyboard deck, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A top-mountable click pad module with hinged support and tabs that can be slid into slots in the keyboard deck, secured with a single fastener, allowing for flexible installation and reduced hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional clickable input pad with mounting hole is used, then button click functionality is achieved, but the area available for proximity sensing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional mounting hole from the clickable input pad structure. Instead of having a hole through the pad for mounting, the pad is now mounted from the rear surface, eliminating the opening in the front surface that would reduce proximity sensing area. This extraction of the mounting hole from the functional surface resolves the contradiction between maintaining click functionality and preserving sensing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting dimension from front-surface mounting (which requires a hole through the pad) to rear-surface mounting. By moving the mounting operation to another dimension (the rear surface of the pad), the front surface remains intact for proximity sensing, thus resolving the area reduction issue while maintaining click functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional clickable input pad with mounting hole is used, then button click functionality is achieved, but rigidity of the keyboard deck is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting hole from the keyboard deck structure by implementing rear-surface mounting. The mounting tabs extend through the rear surface of the deck, and fasteners secure the pad from the back, eliminating the need for a hole through the front surface of the keyboard deck. This preserves the structural integrity and rigidity of the deck while maintaining click functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional clickable input pad is used, then button click functionality is achieved, but supplemental stiffening layers are needed, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for supplemental stiffening layers by changing the mounting approach to rear-surface mounting with tabs that extend through the deck. This mounting method provides structural support through the deck thickness itself, removing the requirement for additional stiffening layers and thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device for use with an electronic system of the type including a substantially planar deck having a basin extending downwardly from the deck and comprising at least one slot. The input device includes: a downwardly deflectable component including an input surface configured to be touched by input objects and a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information of the input objects; a hinge having a first hinged component comprising at least one pad coupled to a bottom surface of the deflectable component, a second hinged component configured to be secured to the basin, and at least one tab configured to be inserted into the at least one slot; and an actuation element disposed between the first and second hinged components and configured to detect deflection of the deflectable component in response to force applied to the input surface by an input object.