Touch Panel Vibrator with Reflection-Reducing Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with tactile transmission techniques face the challenge of reducing glare and discomfort caused by visually observable vibrators when viewed from an oblique angle, while also minimizing the non-operation area to prevent size increase.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a light shielding film on the operation unit's non-operation area and positions the vibrator within a specific range relative to the light shielding film, combined with a reflection-reducing film on the vibrator's surface to minimize glare and maintain a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the vibrator is positioned far from the light shielding film to avoid visual observation, then glare is reduced, but the non-operation area increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reflection-reducing film to convert the harmful reflective property of the vibrator surface into a beneficial low-reflectance surface. This allows the vibrator to be positioned closer to the light shielding film (within T×tanθ range) without causing glare, as the film reduces light reflection to acceptable levels while maintaining the tactile vibration function
2Area of stationary object
If the vibrator is positioned within T×tanθ range to achieve downsizing, then device size is reduced, but glare may occur when viewed from oblique directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reflection-reducing film specifically to the vibrator surface located within the T×tanθ range from the light shielding film. This local treatment ensures that only the critical area causing potential glare is modified, allowing the vibrator to maintain its position for compact design while the film locally reduces reflectance to prevent glare when viewed from oblique directions
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 effectively reduces glare and discomfort for the user while allowing for downsizing of the electronic device by strategically positioning the vibrator and using a reflection-reducing film to manage light reflection.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection-reducing film having a reflectance lower than a reflectance of a surface of the vibrator is provided on the surface of the vibrator positioned within the range of T×tan θ from the end on the operation area side of the light shielding film
Implementation Method 2
when a critical angle at which light is totally reflected by the second principal surface of the operation unit is represented by θ
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a touch panel; a light shielding film formed on a first principal surface of a touch panel corresponding to a non-operation area; and a vibrator provided on a second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area. When a critical angle at which light is totally reflected by the second principal surface of the touch panel is θ and sum of a thickness T1 of the touch panel and a thickness T2 of the vibrator is T, the vibrator is positioned, in sectional view, within a range of T×tan θ from an end on the operation area side of the light shielding film on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area, and a reflection-reducing film having a reflectance lower than a reflectance of a surface of the vibrator is provided on the surface of the vibrator positioned within the range of T×tan θ from the end on the operation area side of the light shielding film.