Touch Input Device Noise Reduction via Compressed Foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch input devices, such as those in laptops and tablets, generate high-frequency noise that interferes with user experience, and existing solutions like resilient cushioning members do not effectively mitigate this issue.

Innovation Solution

A touch input device design incorporating a base board, a movable board unit, an actuating unit, and a ring-shaped noise reduction member made of flexible polyethylene foam, which compresses and absorbs noise when the movable board unit moves, reducing noise levels by containing and dissipating sound within a defined space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a resilient cushioning member is used to cushion elements from directly colliding, then noise from direct collision is reduced, but high-frequency noise is not prevented and assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise from direct collisionVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction member is divided into multiple sound absorbing sections (first, second, third sections) with different orientations and functions. Each section targets specific noise propagation directions, allowing effective noise reduction without requiring complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the noise reduction member have different properties: the first section has sound absorbing surfaces facing upward and downward, the second section has surfaces facing left and right, and the third section has surfaces facing forward and backward. This localized differentiation optimizes noise reduction in specific directions while simplifying overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional resilient cushioning members are used, then some noise cushioning is achieved, but high-frequency noise generation is not prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cushioningVSAvoidhigh-frequency noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction member is made of porous sound absorbing material that effectively absorbs high-frequency noise. The porous structure allows sound waves to penetrate and dissipate energy, preventing high-frequency noise generation while maintaining cushioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reduction member combines multiple sound absorbing sections with different orientations into a single integrated component. This composite structure provides comprehensive noise reduction across multiple frequencies and directions, effectively preventing high-frequency noise while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the noise reduction member is positioned to compress during actuation, then noise is absorbed and dispersed, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise absorption and dispersionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction member integrates multiple sound absorbing sections into a single unified component that performs both cushioning and noise reduction functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate noise reduction elements, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective noise absorption and dispersion during actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces noise levels from 65 decibels to 45 decibels, improving user experience by minimizing high-frequency noise interference through the use of a flexible noise reduction member that absorbs and disperses noise.

Implementation Method 1

The ring-shaped noise reduction member 5 is flexible

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the noise reduction member 5 is compressed by the distal end portion 11 of the base board unit 1... effectively reduces noise levels from 65 decibels to 45 decibels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS10429966B2Touch input device

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 SUNREX TECH

AI summary

A touch input device includes a base board unit, a movable board unit, an actuating member and a noise reduction member. The base board unit has a distal end portion. The movable board unit overlaps and is connected to the base board unit, and has a free end portion movable toward or away from the distal end portion of the base board unit. The actuating unit includes a switch protruding from the free end portion and extending into the noise reduction member, and an actuating member protruding from the distal end portion. The noise reduction member is compressed by the distal end portion when the free end portion moves to the position adjacent to the distal end portion for the actuating member to actuate the switch.