Touchpad Trigger Bracket for Uniform Mechanical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges in providing a stable and consistent touchpad experience with balanced input button presses, as traditional mechanical clicks can be difficult to distinguish and consume vertical space, while haptic feedback increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad design featuring a trigger bracket that floats the touch surface over a base plate with a beam and biasing members, distributing force for uniform motion and input feedback, allowing reliable and repeatable mechanical feedback independent of press location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical click features are used in the touchpad, then the touchpad can provide button input functionality, but the click motion becomes difficult to distinguish and the vertical space consumed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional mechanical click feature from the touchpad assembly and replaces it with a haptic feedback mechanism. This extraction of the mechanical click element eliminates the need for complex internal mechanical structures while providing a simpler, more distinguishable click experience through controlled haptic feedback without consuming vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional mechanical click system with a haptic feedback system. Instead of using physical mechanical buttons or levers that consume vertical space and produce indistinct motions, the system uses controlled haptic feedback to simulate button press sensations, thereby reducing vertical space consumption while improving input distinguishability.
2Length of stationary object
If haptic feedback is used to replace mechanical click features, then the touchpad height is reduced, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cost-effective haptic feedback mechanism that uses simple mechanical spring elements and leverages the existing touchpad structure rather than implementing expensive active haptic actuators. This approach provides sufficient haptic feedback to distinguish button inputs while keeping manufacturing costs low, achieving a balance between reduced height and economical production.
3Ease of operation
If separate input buttons are included at the front side of the touchpad, then mouse input buttons are simplified, but the buttons consume space and detract from system appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button input functionality with the existing touchpad surface by implementing a full-surface touch input area that can detect button presses anywhere on the touchpad. This eliminates the need for separate physical buttons while maintaining simplified mouse input functionality, thereby preserving the clean appearance of the system without sacrificing operational simplicity.
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 provides a uniform push button feel with consistent mechanical feedback, reducing system costs and complexity by eliminating the need for expensive haptic devices, while enabling multiple input values based on press location without increasing vertical space.
Implementation Method 1
The beam has bends to bias the touch surface upwards and away from a push button and distribute force of a downward push
Implementation Method 2
four biasing members extending parallel the beam from each corner of the frame and having a bend to generate the upward bias
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system touchpad detects button inputs with a downward press at the touch surface that translates to a central button under the touch surface through a frame biased up by a central beam and plural biasing members. Downward presses at the touch surface off center translate towards the center of the frame to provide a central button input that is attributed with right, left and or center button push input values based upon detection of a location at which the downward press touch is sensed by the touch surface.