One-Piece Touchpad Supporting Plate Reducing Component Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touchpad modules have complex supporting assemblies that are difficult to control in terms of tolerance, prone to component separation, and result in a heavy, thick, and costly device due to the arrangement of multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad module with a one-piece supporting plate that integrates a plate body, supporting parts, and a swingable part, allowing the touch member to swing relative to the bracket and trigger a switch element, reducing material and assembly complexity while minimizing thickness and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional supporting assembly with multiple components (metal support block and thin metal elastic sheet) is used, then the touchpad module can achieve the required supporting and switching functions, but the device becomes heavy, thick, and costly due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metal support block, thin metal elastic sheet, and related supporting components into a single integrated supporting structure. This supporting structure includes a supporting plate with elastic deformation capability that directly provides both supporting and switching functions, eliminating the need for separate metal support block and elastic sheet components, thereby reducing part count and complexity while maintaining functional reliability
2Reliability
If a conventional supporting assembly with multiple components is used, then the touchpad module can achieve the required supporting function, but it becomes difficult to control accumulated tolerance and components are easily separated
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple supporting components into a single supporting structure with monolithic or pre-assembled construction, the patent eliminates tolerance accumulation that occurs when multiple separate components are assembled together. The integrated design ensures consistent dimensional accuracy and prevents component separation, thereby improving manufacturing precision and reliability
3Strength
If a metal support block arrangement is used, then the touchpad module can achieve structural support, but the device becomes heavy and thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters and structural configuration of the supporting system by using a supporting plate with optimized elastic modulus and thickness distribution. This allows the structure to achieve the required mechanical strength and support capability with significantly reduced weight compared to conventional metal support block arrangements, while maintaining appropriate rigidity and elasticity for touchpad operation
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 one-piece supporting plate structure simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material usage, and lowers production costs while maintaining the functionality of the touchpad module, enhancing its overall efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
When the first end 111 of the touch member 11 is no longer pressed by the user, the first end 111 of the touch member 11 is swung upwardly in response to an elastic force of the thin metal elastic sheet 132
Data Source
AI summary
A touchpad module includes a bracket, a touch member and a supporting plate. The supporting plate is arranged between the bracket and the touch member. When an end of the touch member is pressed down, the end of the touch member is swung relative to the bracket through the supporting plate. The supporting plate includes a plate body, at least one supporting part and a swingable part. The plate body, the at least one supporting part and the swingable part are integrally formed as a one-piece structure. The present invention further provides a computing device with the touchpad module.