Touchpad Bracket With Interfering Members for Corner Pressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touchpads face issues with insufficient rigidity leading to triggering of switches when pressed at corners and poor tactile feedback due to large pressing strokes.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad device utilizing a single bracket with a dual-layer structure, incorporating a frame and wing portion supported by flexible arms, provides limiting structures with interfering members to enhance rigidity and tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two plates are used to achieve a limiting support structure, then the touchpad can be supported, but the structure complexity increases and space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple plates into a single bracket structure. The bracket integrates the support function that was previously distributed across two separate plates, reducing the number of components while maintaining the limiting support capability. This consolidation directly addresses the contradiction by simplifying the structure (reducing complexity) while preserving the support stability through the integrated bracket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single bracket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides support, creates limiting structures, and enables tactile feedback mechanisms. By making the bracket multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate components, thereby reducing structure complexity while maintaining reliable support through the bracket's comprehensive role in the touchpad assembly.
2Ease of operation
If the upper plate has insufficient rigidity, then the structure can be flexible, but the switch is triggered due to corner pressing and tactile feedback deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates localized rigid structures (limiting structures with interfering members) at specific positions where support is needed, while maintaining overall flexibility in other areas. The limiting structures are strategically placed to prevent excessive corner pressing and ensure accurate switch triggering, addressing the contradiction by applying rigidity locally rather than throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flex under normal operation for ease of use, but the limiting structures provide dynamic restraint when corner pressing occurs. The interfering members enable controlled movement within defined limits, providing tactile feedback while preventing switch mistriggering, thus balancing flexibility and switch accuracy through dynamic structural behavior.
3Ease of operation
If the pressing stroke of the corners is too large, then the touchpad can be pressed easily, but the tactile feedback becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting structures with interfering members are pre-configured to provide tactile feedback at the appropriate pressing depth. The interfering members are positioned to make contact at a predetermined point during the pressing stroke, ensuring that tactile feedback occurs at the optimal moment. This preliminary arrangement of the limiting structures ensures both ease of pressing and precise tactile feedback without requiring large corner pressing strokes.
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 solution increases space utilization and improves user comfort by providing robust support and precise tactile feedback through the bracket's limiting mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible arm connects the wing portion with the frame. The flexible arm supports the wing portion to move relative to the frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A touchpad device includes a touchpad and a bracket disposed below the touchpad and configured to support the touchpad. The touchpad is configured to sense a touch operation thereon. The bracket has a plurality sets of limiting structures, and each set of limiting structure includes two interfering members. The two interfering members separately extend from the bracket, so that in the stacking direction of the touchpad and the bracket, the two interfering members at least partially overlap with each other.