Transparent Member Gap Design for Flexible Key Arrangement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminal devices, such as smartphones, face design limitations due to the need for compact arrangements of keys and illumination components, which restricts flexibility in their placement and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device design featuring a transparent member formed by bonding a transparent front-surface-side member and a transparent rear-surface-side member, positioned between two cases to create a gap, allowing for flexible key arrangement and illumination, while also enabling touch detection near the transparent member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If keys and pilot lamp are arranged near the edge of the case, then the terminal device can be compact, but the arrangement flexibility and design are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface arrangement of keys to three-dimensional spatial arrangement by utilizing the gap between case layers. The transparent member embedded in this gap allows keys to be positioned throughout the depth of the device rather than confined to the surface, enabling flexible placement including center positions and various orientations without increasing external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent member containing keys is nested within the gap between the first and second cases. This nesting approach allows the key arrangement mechanism to be integrated within the existing case structure, utilizing internal space that would otherwise be empty, thereby maintaining compact external dimensions while providing enhanced internal arrangement flexibility.
2Productivity
If multiple functions are integrated into a compact terminal device, then productivity and functionality increase, but the space for arranging components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent member acts as a flexible structural element that can be positioned within the three-dimensional gap between cases. This thin-film-like component provides a versatile platform for integrating multiple functions (keys, illumination, touch detection) without requiring significant additional space, as it utilizes the existing inter-case gap rather than consuming valuable external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the third dimension (depth/gap between cases) for component arrangement rather than being constrained to the two-dimensional surface area. This allows multiple functional elements to be stacked or positioned at different depths within the gap, effectively increasing the available arrangement space without increasing the device's footprint or thickness.
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 the flexibility of key and illumination arrangements, improves the terminal device's design, and allows for efficient illumination and touch detection, addressing the space constraints and functionality needs of compact devices.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent member that includes a transparent front-surface-side member bonded to a transparent rear-surface-side member and is disposed in the gap to connect the first case and the second case
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device is provided that includes a first case; a second case disposed in the terminal device with a gap with respect to the first case; and a transparent member that includes a transparent front-surface-side member bonded to a transparent rear-surface-side member and is disposed in the gap to connect the first case and the second case.