Touch Sensor Assembly with Elastic Retention Laminates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch input systems for mobile and personal communication devices rely on physical buttons, which can be cumbersome and require mechanical integration, whereas touch sensing technologies are not effectively secured within device cases to replace these buttons.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor assembly is secured within a device case using a sensor slot with compressible and decompressible elastic retention laminates, allowing the sensor component to detect touch-deflection and be securely inserted and retained within the slot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical/mechanical buttons are used for touch input, then reliable input functionality is achieved, but device complexity and mechanical integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoidmechanical integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical/mechanical buttons with a touch sensor assembly that uses capacitive or resistive sensing elements. The sensor assembly detects touch input through electrical field changes or resistance changes rather than mechanical movement, eliminating the need for mechanical switches, springs, and moving parts while maintaining reliable input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection parameter from mechanical displacement to electrical properties (capacitance or resistance). The touch sensor assembly measures changes in electrical parameters when touched, rather than measuring physical button press depth, thereby simplifying the device structure while preserving input reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If touch sensor assembly is inserted into sensor slot, then ease of assembly is improved, but secure retention and positioning of sensor component becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidsensor retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs elastic retention laminates that dynamically adjust their compression force based on the insertion process. During assembly, the laminates are compressed to allow easy insertion of the sensor component, then they naturally decompress to provide secure retention force, achieving both ease of assembly and reliable positioning without additional fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic retention laminates perform dual functions automatically: they facilitate easy insertion through their compressible nature and then self-adjust to provide secure retention through their elastic recovery force. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate retention structures while ensuring reliable sensor component positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables reliable and secure integration of touch sensing technology within device cases, enhancing user input functionality while reducing mechanical complexity and improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

front-side and back-side elastic retention laminates affixed respectively to a front-side and a back-side of the sense element: the front/back-side elastic retention laminates being compressible for insertion of the sensor component into the sensor slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the sensor component is inserted within the sensor slot, decompressible to contact respectively the front-side and back-side slot walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS10209550B2Securing a touch sensor assembly for a touch button

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A touch button structure for a mobile communications or other device, including a sensor slot with front-side and back-side slot walls formed in the device wall, an interior surface of a touch button area forming the front-side slot wall, and a sensor component inserted within the sensor slot. The sensor component includes a sense element operable to sense a touch-deflection of the front-side slot wall toward the sense element in response to a touch-press of the touch button, and front-side and back-side elastic insulating retention laminates affixed to the front/back-side of the sense element. The front/back-side elastic laminates being compressible for insertion of the sensor component into the sensor slot, and when inserted, are decompressible to contact respectively the front-side and back-side slot walls, and at least the front-side elastic laminate is compressible in response to a deflection of the front-side slot wall in the direction of the sense element.