Touchpad Linkage Mechanism for Uniform Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchpad devices often fail to accurately register presses on the pivot side or corners due to uneven force distribution, leading to operational inconvenience and noise.
Innovation Solution
The touchpad device incorporates a substrate, circuit board, resilient member, annular plate, and linkage members to ensure consistent force application and reduce noise by allowing the circuit board and resilient member to abut and press each other, even when pressed at edges or corners, thereby generating signals and improving user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the touch panel is pivotally fixed on the substrate through the pivot side, then the touch panel can swing downwardly to generate signals, but pressing on the pivot side or adjacent regions cannot allow smooth movement, causing operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel structure is segmented into multiple functional components: the touch panel itself, the circuit board, the resilient member, and the linkage member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the linkage member transfers force from any pressing location on the touch panel to the circuit board, ensuring reliable signal generation regardless of where the user presses
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage member acts as an intermediary between the touch panel and the circuit board. It mediates the force transmission from any pressing location on the touch panel to the circuit board, converting various pressing positions into effective downward movement that reliably triggers signal generation without requiring precise pressing location
2Adaptability or versatility
If the touch panel is pressed at edges or corners, then force distribution becomes uneven, but the circuit board and resilient member need to maintain consistent contact for proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage member serves as a mediator that equalizes force distribution. When force is applied at any location on the touch panel (including edges or corners), the linkage member distributes and transfers this force to the circuit board and resilient member, ensuring stable and consistent contact regardless of the original pressing location
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic elements including the swingable linkage member and the resilient member that can deform elastically. These dynamic components adapt to force applied at any location on the touch panel, automatically adjusting to maintain stable contact between the circuit board and resilient member while preserving versatility of pressing locations
3Ease of operation
If the linkage member is not constrained, then it may deflect or wobble during operation, but constraining it is needed to reduce noise and improve operation feelings
Solution Approach 1:
The annular plate provides localized constraint at specific positions around the linkage member. By placing limiting members at strategic locations on the annular plate, the design constrains the linkage member's deflection and wobble only where necessary, reducing operation noise and improving feelings without adding excessive overall structural complexity
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 design enhances operational accuracy and reduces noise by ensuring stable downward movement of the touch panel and preventing deflection, thus improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient member makes the circuit board be kept at a height position. The resilient member allows the circuit board and resilient member to come close to, to abut against, and to press each other
Implementation Method 2
The first swing plate is swingably connected to the substrate with the first inner side. The first outer side is adjacent to the first side, and the first outer side is sandwiched between the first limiting member and the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A touchpad device includes a substrate, a circuit board, a resilient member, an annular plate, a first linkage member, and a second linkage member. The circuit board is disposed above a top surface of the substrate. The resilient member, the first linkage member, and the second linkage member are disposed between the substrate and the circuit board. The annular plate is fixed around a bottom surface of the circuit board and includes an inner periphery. The inner periphery includes a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side connected to each other. The first linkage member includes a first swing plate, and the first swing plate includes a first outer side and a first inner side. The first inner side is swingably connected to the substrate, and the first outer side is sandwiched between the first limiting member and the circuit board.