Touch Panel Vibration Alignment via Piezoelectric Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In touch panel apparatuses, placing piezoelectric elements on the long sides restricts design due to size and aesthetic considerations, while placing them on the short sides leads to energy loss and reduced vibration amplitude due to mismatched flexure and bending directions.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel apparatus with six-point support, where piezoelectric elements are placed on the short sides and supported by elastically deformable members at six locations, including the corners and middle of the long sides, to align bending and flexure directions, reducing energy loss and increasing vibration amplitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If piezoelectric elements are placed on the long sides of the touch panel, then the apparatus size can be reduced and appearance improved, but the flexure vibration direction does not match the bending direction causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional placement of piezoelectric elements from the long sides to the short sides of the touch panel. This inversion changes the vibration mode from flexure vibration (with long sides as pivots) to bending vibration (with short sides as pivots), aligning the vibration direction with the pressing direction to reduce energy loss and improve efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If piezoelectric elements are placed on the short sides of the touch panel, then energy loss is reduced and vibration amplitude increases, but the apparatus width must be increased or effective operating area reduced to hide the elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the piezoelectric elements from the horizontal dimension (long sides) to the vertical dimension (short sides) of the touch panel. This dimensional repositioning allows the elements to be placed in areas that do not interfere with the effective operating area, maintaining both energy efficiency and display usability.
3Device complexity
If four-point support is used with piezoelectric elements on short sides, then the structure is simple, but the flexure vibration direction mismatches the bending direction reducing vibration amplitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure from four-point support to six-point support by adding two additional support members on the long sides. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones: corner supports provide stable boundary conditions, while intermediate supports on the long sides enable the touch panel to bend efficiently in the short side direction, matching the piezoelectric element actuation direction to maximize vibration amplitude.
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
This configuration allows for efficient flexure vibration at desired amplitude without increasing the apparatus size or detracting from the appearance, providing a uniform tactile sensation and greater design freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of piezoelectric elements 12 are provided along both ends of the short side of the oblong touch panel 11... when the two piezoelectric elements 12 are driven to expand and contract in the short side direction
Implementation Method 2
the touch panel 11 is supported, on the reverse side, by a fixing portion 14 with elastically deformable support members 13a-13f therebetween... the touch panel 11 undergoes bending vibration in the short side direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4
AI summary
A touch panel apparatus includes a touch panel (11), a piezoelectric element (12) disposed on the touch panel (11) and capable of expansion and contraction, and a plurality of support members (14a-14f) disposed on a fixing portion (13) and configured to support and allow for flexure vibration of the touch panel (11), such that the support members (14a-14f) are disposed in greater number in a direction orthogonal to an expansion and contraction direction of the piezoelectric element (12) than in the expansion and contraction direction so that a bending direction of the touch panel (11) due to a press matches a flexure direction of the touch panel (11) due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element (12).