Touch Pad Floating Structure for Vibration Feedback in Slim Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic apparatuses with touch-operation devices face challenges in achieving a slim design while providing a sufficient sense of clicking to users, as they require a rubber gap for vibration generation, which attenuates vibrations and is difficult to implement in thinner devices.

Innovation Solution

A floating structure using connectors instead of rubber to support the touch-operation unit, allowing for vibration transmission with minimal attenuation, enabling a slim design and strong vibration feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber gap is used to float the touch-operation unit, then the structure provides vibration feedback, but the apparatus thickness increases and vibration transmission is attenuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration feedback qualityVSAvoidapparatus thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rubber material from the floating structure, replacing it with a connector-based mechanism. The touch-operation unit is floated using connectors that attach to protrusions on the chassis, eliminating the need for rubber gaps while maintaining the floating effect and vibration transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical rubber-based floating structure with a connector-based mechanical system. The connectors with retained parts engage with protrusions to provide the floating support, replacing the rubber material's function while enabling thinner design and better vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a rubber gap is used to float the touch-operation unit, then the structure provides vibration feedback, but the vibration intensity is reduced due to attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration feedback qualityVSAvoidvibration energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the rubber material from the system, eliminating its vibration-damping properties. The connector-based floating structure allows vibrations to transmit directly from the vibrator to the touch-operation unit without the energy loss that occurs through rubber material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the rubber-based mechanical coupling with a connector-based mechanical coupling that has lower vibration attenuation. The connectors provide a more direct mechanical path for vibration transmission, reducing energy loss and improving vibration feedback intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10768707B2Electronic apparatus having a touch pad capable of providing vibrations

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A slim electronic apparatus that can give a user a sufficient sense of clicking in response to a user's touch input operation is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a touch-operation unit for receiving a user's touch-input operation; a main body chassis having a support plate with a mounting face to movably mount the touch-operation unit; a vibrator for generating vibrations to the touch-operation unit; and a connector having a fixing part fixed to one of the touch-operation unit and the support plate, and a retained part retained to be movable relative to the other of the touch-operation unit and the support plate at least along one direction parallel to the mounting face.