Touch Panel Rotary Input Aid With Suction-Mounted Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panel input systems struggle with accurate continuous operations, such as rotational inputs, and lack a reliable method for attaching input devices at arbitrary positions on the panel surface, leading to difficulties in precise input manipulation.

Innovation Solution

An input assistance device with a rotation support body and a suction cup attachment mechanism that allows for detachable and precise attachment to the panel surface, enabling rotational inputs through a fixed path, and includes a conductive rotational part for accurate position detection and image processing for user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a button-type input sheet is used on a touch panel, then a click feeling is obtained and input accuracy is improved, but continuous operations such as rotational input cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput accuracyVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The input device is segmented into a stationary attachment mechanism (suction cup) and a movable rotational component. This allows the device to provide both stable attachment for precision and rotational freedom for continuous operations, resolving the contradiction between input accuracy and continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rotational support body with suction cup attachment acts as an intermediary between the touch panel and the user's finger. This intermediary provides the click feeling through its structure while enabling rotational input, thus maintaining input accuracy while adding continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct input on touch panel without button sheet is used, then continuous operations are possible, but input accuracy through necessary operation path deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational support body with suction cup serves as an intermediary device that guides the user's finger along a precise rotational path while maintaining contact with the touch panel. This ensures both continuous operation capability and input accuracy through the necessary operation path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If attachment mechanism is added to enable removable attachment at arbitrary positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachable attachment capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A suction cup attachment mechanism is used to enable removable attachment at arbitrary positions on the panel surface. This pneumatic-based solution provides simple yet effective adhesion without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems, thus improving adaptability while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cup attachment mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables removable attachment, allows positioning at arbitrary locations, and provides a stable base for rotational input. This multi-functionality improves adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate and convenient rotational inputs at desired positions on the panel surface, improving input precision and usability by providing a detachable and reliable attachment mechanism with position calculation and image feedback.

Implementation Method 1

the suction cup adheres to the panel surface by pressing the rotation support body against the panel surface along a direction of the central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3287875B1Input assistance device and input system
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3287875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3287875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide an input assistance device with which an input can be accurately made through a necessary path when an input involving a continuous operation such as a rotational input is necessary and that can be detachably attached at an arbitrary position on a panel surface, and to provide an input system. [Solution] The input assistance device has a rotation support body having a central axis, an attachment mechanism that removably attaches the rotation support body to the panel surface of a sensor panel so that the central axis is along a direction perpendicular to the panel surface, and a rotational part supported by the rotation support body so as to be rotatable around the central axis; at least the side surface of the rotational part is formed from a conductive material, and conductive areas electrically connected to the side surface are allocated in part of a surface of the rotational part, the surface facing the panel surface.