Touch Pad Multiple Mirror Images Light Guiding Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch pads in electronic devices have a monotonous and unchanged appearance, lacking the ability to exhibit multiple mirror images which could enhance aesthetics and three-dimensionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad design incorporating a circuit board, touch sensing circuit layer, reflective layer, enclosed spacer, light-guiding plate, partially reflective layer, light-emitting device, and transparent top cover, which together create the effect of multiple mirror images through light reflection and guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a traditional touch pad design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the appearance is monotonous and lacks visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The touch pad is segmented into multiple functional layers including a light-guiding plate with pattern regions, reflective layers, and a transparent top cover. Each layer serves a specific function in creating the infinity mirror effect, transforming the单调 appearance into a visually appealing multi-dimensional display while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical stacking dimension by arranging multiple layers (light-guiding plate, reflective layers, spacer) perpendicular to the touch sensing plane. This creates an infinity mirror effect that adds visual depth and three-dimensionality to the otherwise flat touch pad surface, resolving the contradiction between simple shape and appealing appearance
2Shape
If multiple mirror images are exhibited, then visual appeal and three-dimensionality are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested layer structure where the light-guiding plate with pattern regions is positioned within an enclosed spacer, which is itself positioned on the touch sensing circuit layer. The reflective layers are strategically placed to create nested optical paths, generating multiple mirror images while organizing the complexity into a structured, manageable configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The infinity mirror effect creates multiple copied images of the pattern region through repeated light reflections between the reflective layers. This optical copying mechanism achieves the three-dimensional visual effect without requiring multiple physical layers, thereby reducing the actual device complexity while maintaining the desired visual outcome
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 effectively exhibits multiple mirror images, enhancing the visual appeal and perceived three-dimensionality, thereby breaking the monotony of traditional touch pad designs.
Implementation Method 1
The light-guiding plate has an upper surface, a lower surface and a light-incident face. The light-guiding plate includes a pattern region formed in the light-guiding plate.
Implementation Method 2
The incident light is repeatedly reflected between the partially reflective layer and the reflective layer, and finally exits from the partially reflective layer
Implementation Method 3
The partially reflective layer is bonded on the upper surface of the light-guiding plate. The incident light is repeatedly reflected between the partially reflective layer and the reflective layer
Implementation Method 4
The at least one light-emitting device is disposed in the enclosed spacer, and is adjacent to the light-incident face of the light-guiding plate. The at least one light-emitting device is driven to emit a light into the light-guiding plate from the light-incident face
Data Source
AI summary
A touch pad, capable of exhibiting multiple mirror images, includes a circuit board, a touch sensing circuit layer formed on the circuit board, a reflective layer disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer, an enclosed spacer, a light-guiding plate where a pattern region is formed, a partially reflective layer bonded on an upper surface of the light-guiding plate, at least one light-emitting device, and transparent top cover. The light-guiding plate is disposed within the enclosed spacer and is bonded on the reflective layer. The at least one light-emitting device is driven to emit a light into the light-guiding plate from a light-incident face. The incident light is repeatedly reflected between the partially reflective layer and the reflective layer, and finally exits from the partially reflective layer such that a user watches the pattern region and the multiple mirror images associated with the pattern region outside the transparent top cover.