Touch Panel Vibrator Visibility via Light Shielding Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electronic devices with tactile transmission capabilities face the issue of the vibrator being visually observable when viewed from an oblique direction, which affects user experience.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a light shielding film and strategically positions the vibrator on the non-operation area of the touch panel, ensuring that the vibrator is not visible to the user by utilizing total reflection of light beyond a critical angle, and optionally uses a reflection-reducing film or an inclined design to minimize visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vibrator is provided on the rear surface of the touch panel to enable tactile transmission, then tactile feedback function is improved, but the vibrator becomes visually observable from oblique directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the light shielding film only in specific regions where the vibrator is visible from oblique directions, rather than covering the entire touch panel. This selective shielding maintains tactile feedback functionality while reducing visual observability only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding film acts as an intermediary element between the vibrator and the user's line of sight. It blocks light from the vibrator without interfering with the tactile transmission function, effectively mediating the conflict between visibility and functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light shielding film is added to block the vibrator from view, then visual observability is reduced, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light shielding film with existing structural elements of the touch panel assembly, such as integrating it with the rear surface structure or spacing layer. This combination approach adds the shielding function without creating entirely separate components, thereby minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a thin light shielding film rather than a bulky shielding structure allows the patent to reduce visual observability while maintaining a sleek, minimalistic design. The thin film adds negligible complexity compared to rigid shielding mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the touch panel is disposed opposed to the display panel with space interposed, then tactile vibration transmission is enabled, but the vibrator on the rear surface becomes visible from oblique angles
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding film is applied locally at the rear surface of the touch panel where the vibrator is positioned, rather than modifying the entire panel structure. This localized approach preserves the spacing necessary for tactile vibration transmission while addressing only the specific visual appearance issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light shielding function as a separate element that can be applied to the rear surface without affecting the front surface appearance or the spacing between panels. This extraction allows the shielding function to be added independently of the tactile transmission structure.
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 the likelihood of the vibrator being visually observed, enhancing user experience by maintaining aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring that the vibrator is not visible to the user by utilizing total reflection of light beyond a critical angle
Implementation Method 2
The electronic device can transmit various tactile senses to the user by causing flexural vibration of the touch panel according to expansion and contraction motions of the vibrator
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device includes a touch panel having a first principal surface and a second principal surface positioned opposite to the first principal surface; a light shielding film formed on the first principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to a non-operation area; and a vibrator provided on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area. When a critical angle where light is totally reflected by the second principal surface of the touch panel is represented by θ and sum of a thickness T1 of the touch panel and a thickness T2 of the vibrator is represented by T, the vibrator is provided, on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area, at a position apart by T×tanθ or more from an end of the light shielding film which end is positioned on the operation area side, in sectional view.