Touch Pad Dual Pivot Shaft Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch pads with integrated pointing sticks face challenges in providing a comfortable click feeling, especially in regions closer to the rotating shaft, and struggle to manage the load of depressing operations effectively, leading to discomfort and potential operational errors.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad design featuring a sensor board, a housing, and a base member with first and second pivot shaft sections that allow the housing to rotate and depress a switch differently depending on the region of the sensor board depressed, generating varying loads to improve operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating shaft is provided along an edge adjacent to the keyboard to allow the sensor board to rotate, then the sensor board can receive depressing operations, but the deep side near the shaft hardly moves up and down, resulting in poor click feeling and user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The single rotating shaft is divided into two separate pivot shaft sections positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each shaft to independently support rotation at different points, enabling the deep side to move vertically while the overall structure remains rotatable for receiving depressing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-axis rotation model to a dual-axis system where the sensor board can both rotate (for depressing operations) and move vertically (for click feeling). This adds a vertical movement dimension to the original rotational movement, resolving the contradiction between rotation capability and vertical displacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If button regions are set closer to the keyboard for simultaneous operation with the pointing stick, then three-button mouse functions can be achieved, but the button region requires sufficient depressing force that is difficult to apply with the thumb
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the sensor board are given different mechanical characteristics through the dual pivot shaft configuration. The button region near the keyboard is designed with reduced load requirements by positioning it to rotate around the first pivot shaft, making it easier to depress with the thumb while maintaining the three-button functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The load parameter for depressing operations is changed across different regions of the sensor board. By assigning different pivot shafts to different regions, the mechanical advantage and required depressing force are adjusted locally, allowing button regions to be operated easily with the thumb while other regions maintain standard operation characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor board rotates around a single rotating shaft, then depressing operations can be received, but the load distribution is uniform across all regions, failing to provide optimized operation feeling for specific regions
Solution Approach 1:
The dual pivot shaft configuration enables different regions of the sensor board to have different rotational centers and load characteristics. This allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, such as making button regions easier to press while maintaining standard operation for other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, uniform rotation model to a dynamic system where the effective rotation center and mechanical characteristics change depending on which region is being operated. This dynamic behavior allows the touch pad to adapt its mechanical properties to the specific operation being performed.
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 touch pad achieves improved operability by adjusting the load of depressing operations across different regions, enhancing the click feeling and reducing the likelihood of unintentional errors, while also allowing for customizable load settings based on user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
the housing is rotated around the rotating shaft to depress the switch
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member that applies elastic force to the sensor board in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A touch pad includes: a sensor board capable of recognizing a position of manual contact; a housing to which the sensor board is fixed; a base member supporting the housing in a state of being capable of ascending and descending the housing; and a switch depressed when the sensor board is depressed and the housing is moved toward the base member. The touch pad includes first and second pivot shaft sections provided between the base member and the housing and rotatably supporting the housing in a state of being displaceable in a direction toward the base member. The first and second pivot shaft sections are arranged at positions straddling the switch between the two in a direction from one edge of the sensor board to the other edge on the side opposite to the one edge.