Upholstered Display Panel Layout for Stable Light-Transmitting Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In display panels with stretchy upholstery, the light-transmitting region tends to displace, making it difficult to maintain the pattern and operate the panel without visual guidance.
Innovation Solution
The upholstery near the light-transmitting region is engaged with a protruding portion of the base member, creating raised portions that sandwich the light-transmitting region from multiple directions, reducing displacement and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upholstery is made stretchy to improve comfort and conformability, then the upholstery can better conform to the base member surface, but the light-transmitting region tends to displace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a stretchy upholstery made of flexible material that can conform to the base member surface while maintaining positioning accuracy through engagement structures. The flexible nature allows adaptability, while the engagement with protruding portions prevents displacement of the light-transmitting region.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portions of the base member act as intermediary engagement structures between the stretchy upholstery and the light-transmitting region. These protrusions prevent the light-transmitting region from displacing when the upholstery stretches, thus mediating between the flexible upholstery and the precise positioning requirement.
2Area of moving object
If the light-transmitting region is made larger to improve visibility and user identification, then the operational area increases, but the displacement becomes more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery is divided into different functional regions: light-transmitting regions for user identification and non-light-transmitting regions for other purposes. The light-transmitting regions are further segmented and engaged with protruding portions, allowing each region to be independently positioned and stabilized, thus preventing displacement even when the overall area is large.
3Device complexity
If the upholstery is made thinner to reduce complexity and material usage, then the device complexity decreases, but the positioning accuracy of the light-transmitting region deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is extracted from the upholstery material itself and implemented through separate protruding portions of the base member. This allows the upholstery to remain thin and simple while the positioning accuracy is ensured by the engagement structures, separating the concerns of material simplicity and positioning precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor (11) that includes a switch unit (11f) and that detects a pressure applied from the front side to the switch unit (11f) or a finger approaching the switch unit (11f) from the front side is located on the back side of upholstery (15). A base member (9) has a protruding portion (9a, 9b) on its surface. The upholstery (15) includes: a light-transmitting region (R1) that is located over a light guide portion of the base member (9) and the switch unit (11f) of the sensor (11) and that allows light (L) from a light source (23) to transmit therethrough to the front side; and a non-light-transmitting region (R2) that blocks the light (L) from the light source (23). A raised portion (15a, 15b) that is raised on the front side of the upholstery (15) is located near the light-transmitting region (R1) in the non-light-transmitting region (R2) of the upholstery (15). The protruding portion (9a, 9b) of the base member (9) is placed in the raised portion (15a, 15b) from the back side of the upholstery (15).