Touch Pad Structure with Centered Switch and Limiting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch pads on notebook computers are inconvenient and unreliable due to the difficulty in triggering switches when pressed or tapped near the fulcrum end and accidental triggering from palm pressure, leading to inconsistent user operation.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad structure with a carrier, frame, touch pad, and springs, where the switch is centered and the touch pad sinks as a whole to trigger the switch, allowing any press or tap to activate it, and a limiting mechanism to prevent accidental triggering by distinguishing between finger and palm contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switch is disposed on the movable end of the touch pad, then the touch pad can be triggered when pressed or tapped, but it becomes inconvenient to operate when pressing or tapping too close to the fulcrum end
Solution Approach 1:
The switch position is inverted from the conventional movable end to the center of the touch pad. This inversion allows the touch pad to sink uniformly as a whole when pressed or tapped at any position, ensuring the switch is reliably triggered regardless of where on the touch pad the user presses, thereby resolving the inconsistency in trigger reliability while maintaining operation convenience.
2Reliability
If the switch is disposed on the movable end of the touch pad, then the touch pad can detect finger input, but palm pressure may accidentally trigger the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The touch pad surface is divided into different functional zones: a first touch area (peripheral region) and a second touch area (central region containing the switch). The limiting member is selectively disposed to prevent sinking in the first touch area while allowing it in the second touch area. This local differentiation enables the system to distinguish between accidental palm pressure (typically on peripheral areas) and intentional finger input (on the central area), improving operation reliability.
3Device complexity
If the touch pad is designed with a fulcrum end and movable end, then the structure is simple, but pressing near the fulcrum end does not easily trigger the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The switch position is inverted from the movable end to the center of the touch pad. This inversion allows the touch pad to sink uniformly as a whole when pressed or tapped at any position, ensuring the switch is reliably triggered regardless of where on the touch pad the user presses, thereby resolving the inconsistency in trigger reliability while maintaining operation convenience.
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
Enhances operation convenience and reliability by ensuring that any touch on the touch pad can trigger the switch while preventing accidental activations from palm pressure, improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The first springs are disposed between the carrier and the frame, and two opposite ends of each of the first springs respectively contact the carrier and the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A touch pad structure including a carrier, a frame, a touch pad, a switch and four first springs is provided. The frame is disposed above the carrier. The touch pad is disposed on the frame, and the frame is located between the carrier and the touch pad. The switch is disposed on the touch pad and penetrates through the frame and thus faces the carrier. The first springs are distributed at a peripheral of the touch pad. Two opposite ends of each of the first springs respectively contact the carrier and the frame. Two longest connecting lines between the first springs are defined as a first connecting line and a second connecting line. The switch is seated on an intersection point of the first connecting line and the second connecting line. An electronic device is also provided.