Touch Electrode Around Microphone Hole for Compact Earbuds
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Solution Overview
Problem
In in-ear type wireless earsets, the small size poses challenges in arranging multiple components such as antennas and touch electrodes, leading to reduced touch performance due to limited space.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a touch electrode on a rigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB) where a microphone is disposed, eliminating the need for a separate component, thereby expanding the touch area and improving sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (antenna, touch electrode, microphone) are arranged on the exposed portion of an in-ear wireless earset, then the device provides comprehensive functionality, but the limited space causes difficulty in arranging all components and reduces touch performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch electrode and microphone into a single integrated component structure. The touch electrode is disposed on the same exposed portion of the housing as the microphone, merging their spatial arrangement to reduce the number of separate components and free up space for larger touch electrode area, thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive functionality and sufficient touch area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space of the exposed portion by arranging the touch electrode and microphone in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The touch electrode can be disposed on the outer surface while the microphone is positioned slightly recessed or at a different depth, allowing both components to coexist without compromising the touch area size
2Device complexity
If the size of the touch electrode is reduced to fit within the small exposed portion, then more components can be arranged, but touch sensitivity and performance are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the touch electrode and microphone into a shared component structure on the exposed portion, the patent reduces the overall component count and simplifies the arrangement complexity. This integration allows the touch electrode to maintain a sufficiently large area for good touch sensitivity while still fitting within the constrained space of the in-ear wireless earset
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate component (FPCB or base member) is used for the touch electrode, then the touch electrode can be independently arranged, but the mount place is reduced and design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate FPCB or base member components by integrating the touch electrode directly into the housing structure where the microphone is also disposed. This merging of functions into a single component structure increases the available mount place on the exposed portion and reduces design constraints, allowing greater flexibility in arranging the antenna and other components
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments relate to an electronic device comprising a touch electrode. The electronic device may comprise: a housing which comprises a first microphone hole; a first printed circuit board which is positioned inside the housing; a touch sensor module which is positioned on the first printed circuit board; at least one microphone which collects external sound; at least one second printed circuit board which is electrically connected to the first printed circuit board, includes a first surface, which is directed to the interior of the housing, in which the microphone is positioned, and comprises a second microphone hole, and a first touch electrode electrically connected to the touch sensor module by being positioned on a second surface, which is the surface opposite from the first surface, to surround the second microphone hole, wherein the second printed circuit board is disposed between the housing and the first printed circuit board so that the second microphone hole corresponds to the first microphone hole; and a conductive pattern which is positioned to cover at least a portion of the first touch electrode, and is electrically connected to the touch sensor module. Other various embodiments are possible.