Touch Panel Assembly With Flexible Arm Haptic Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional haptic feedback systems for touch panels, such as those using linear actuators, piezoelectric films, or oscillating mass actuators, are costly to manufacture, prone to premature failure, and may not provide adequate feedback in all applications, especially due to alignment issues and surface stress cracks.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel assembly with a flexible arm portion and a haptic effect generator that causes movement of the bezel relative to the rear cover, allowing for elastic return to the original position, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while providing effective haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If four individual linear actuators are placed at the four corners of a touch panel to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback is provided, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases due to precise alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the haptic feedback function into multiple discrete actuators positioned at corners or edges of the touch panel, where each actuator independently provides haptic feedback to a specific region. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that are easier to manufacture and align compared to a single complex actuator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies haptic feedback locally at specific regions (corners or edges) of the touch panel rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This local quality approach reduces the overall complexity and cost by concentrating actuation efforts at strategic locations where haptic feedback is most effective.
2Reliability
If piezoelectric films are placed over a touch panel to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback is provided, but premature failure occurs due to surface stress cracks or subsurface solder joint failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the piezoelectric film from direct contact with the touch panel surface and places it on a separate substrate or mounting structure. This extraction eliminates the source of surface stress cracks while maintaining the haptic feedback function through the flexible arms that transmit motion to the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flexible arms as intermediary elements between the piezoelectric actuator and the touch panel. These flexible arms transmit the haptic feedback motion without creating stress concentration points on the panel surface, thereby preventing premature failure while maintaining the desired haptic effect.
3Reliability
If the entire surface of a touch panel is vibrated to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback is provided, but manufacturing complexity increases and premature failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the haptic feedback function into multiple discrete actuators positioned at corners or edges of the touch panel, where each actuator independently provides haptic feedback to a specific region. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that are easier to manufacture and align compared to a single complex actuator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies haptic feedback partially at specific regions (corners or edges) of the touch panel rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This partial action approach reduces the overall complexity and cost by concentrating actuation efforts at strategic locations where haptic feedback is most effective.
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 system provides haptic feedback at reduced cost, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces premature component failure, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution for haptic feedback in touch panels.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible arm portion includes a coupling portion, and the coupling is received in the coupling portion. The haptic effect generator causes movement of the first surface relative to the second surface, and the flexible arm limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.
Implementation Method 2
Conventional haptic feedback can be provided by linear actuators, piezoelectric films, or oscillating mass actuators. Linear actuators provide linear motion using an electromagnetic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A system with haptic effects includes a first surface, a second surface with a flexible arm portion, a coupling that couples the flexible arm portion to the first surface, and a haptic effect generator attached to the first surface. The flexible arm portion includes a coupling portion, and the coupling is received in the coupling portion. The haptic effect generator causes movement of the first surface relative to the second surface, and the flexible arm limits the movement of the first surface and elastically returns the first surface substantially to its original position relative to the second surface.