Vibration-Sensing Touch Button Assembly for Waterproof Device Housings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of mobile devices is hindered by physical buttons, which obstruct waterproofing and user experience, necessitating the development of a virtual button solution that accurately detects touch forces without mechanical interference.

Innovation Solution

A touch button component with a vibration sensor system, comprising a drive unit and a sensing detection unit attached to the housing, generates and detects vibrations, and a comparison trigger unit determines if the detected signal falls within a user-defined range, triggering a virtual button press based on user-specific touch habits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical button is used, then the button can be easily operated, but it obstructs waterproofing and integration of mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton operationVSAvoidwaterproofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button system with a vibration-based sensing system. The drive unit generates vibrations that propagate through the housing, and the sensing detection unit detects these vibrations to identify user input. This substitution eliminates the need for physical buttons while maintaining ease of operation through tactile feedback, and simultaneously resolves the waterproofing issue by removing mechanical openings in the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a vibration sensor system is used to create a virtual button, then integration and waterproofing are improved, but the detection accuracy and reliability may be affected by environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration and waterproofingVSAvoidtouch detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the drive unit generates vibrations and the sensing detection unit detects the resulting vibrations. The comparison trigger unit analyzes the detected vibration signals against threshold values to determine whether user input has occurred. This feedback loop enables accurate touch detection by continuously monitoring vibration patterns and comparing them against predefined criteria, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) to detect user input. The sensing detection unit measures these parameter changes, and the comparison trigger unit evaluates whether the changes exceed threshold values. By monitoring multiple vibration parameters simultaneously, the system achieves accurate touch detection while maintaining integration and waterproofing benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the vibration detection threshold is set to be sensitive, then touch detection accuracy is improved, but accidental triggers increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch detection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse trigger rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) rather than relying on a single threshold. The comparison trigger unit evaluates whether multiple parameters simultaneously meet the threshold criteria before triggering a detection event. This partial action approach - requiring multiple conditions to be satisfied - maintains high sensitivity for genuine touches while reducing false triggers caused by environmental vibrations or accidental contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution enables the integration of electronic devices by accurately detecting touch forces, preventing accidental triggers and enhancing sensitivity and reliability, while maintaining waterproofing and improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the drive unit is configured to generate vibration and drive the housing to vibrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the sensing detection unit is configured to detect vibration of the housing and output a detection signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3757732B1Touch button assembly, vibration sensor assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3757732B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3757732B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3757732B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

This application relates to the field of electronic products, and in particular, to a pressure touch technology. A drive unit drives a housing to vibrate; and when the housing is subjected to a touch force, vibration of the housing is suppressed. Vibration of the housing is being detected, and when it is identified that a case in which vibration of the housing is suppressed meets a force habit of a user, a trigger signal is output. This application provides a touch button component, a vibration sensor component, and an electronic device, to implement a touch button attached to an inner surface of the housing, which facilitates integration of the electronic device.