Touchpad Haptic Support Layout for Consistent Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as touchpads, introduce inconsistencies in the feeling of a stroke on the operation surface due to variations in vibration feedback, which can affect user experience and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An input device design featuring a piezoelectric actuator, elastic support members arranged at the corners of a polygon shape surrounding the actuator, and an elastic cushioning member between the actuator and operation panel, with a combined spring constant configuration that aligns with the elastic support members to provide consistent haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic part is used between the touch sensor and actuator to provide click feedback, then the feeling of a click can be presented, but inconsistencies are introduced in the feeling of a stroke on the input operation surface
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is divided into multiple independent elastic support members (first, second, third, and fourth elastic support members) positioned at different locations around the actuator. Each support member independently provides elastic support to different regions of the operation panel, allowing localized optimization of stroke characteristics while maintaining overall consistency across the input surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different elastic support members are positioned to provide targeted elastic support to specific regions of the operation panel. The first elastic support member supports a first region, the second supports a second region, and so on. This local differentiation allows each region to have optimized stroke characteristics while the collective arrangement ensures overall consistency.
2Ease of operation
If the operation panel is pressed down with force greater than or equal to a predetermined value, then the elastic part buckles to provide click feedback, but the range with which the operation surface can be pressed down is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic support members are designed to dynamically respond to applied force. When the operation panel is pressed with force greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the elastic support members buckle or deform elastically to provide click feedback. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different pressing forces while maintaining a functional pressing range.
3Ease of operation
If vibration feedback is provided by vibrating the input operation surface, then the operation can be felt, but inconsistencies in stroke feeling are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple elastic support members are arranged symmetrically around the actuator (with the actuator positioned inside the polygon formed by the support members) to create equipotential elastic support conditions across different regions of the operation panel. This symmetric arrangement ensures that vibration feedback and stroke characteristics are consistent across the input surface, eliminating the inconsistencies that would otherwise occur with asymmetric or single-point support.
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
The design reduces inconsistencies in the feeling of a stroke and effectively transmits vibration to the operation panel, enhancing user feedback and accuracy without requiring precise matching of spring constants, thereby improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator, fixed to the base, and configured to vibrate the operation panel member
Implementation Method 2
N elastic support members, arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape having N (N is an integer greater than or equal to three) corners and surrounding the actuator when viewed in the first direction, and configured to elastically support the operation panel member on the base
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes a base, an operation panel member, positioned in a first direction when viewed from the base, including an input operation surface, and configured to detect coordinates of an operating position on the input operation surface, an actuator, fixed to the base, and configured to vibrate the operation panel member, N elastic support members, arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape having N corners and surrounding the actuator when viewed in the first direction, and configured to elastically support the operation panel member on the base, where N is an integer greater than or equal to three, and an elastic cushioning member provided between the actuator and the operation panel member. A spring constant of a combined spring in which the actuator and the elastic cushioning member are coupled in series is aligned to spring constants of the N elastic support members.