Virtual Button Frame Integration for Piezoelectric Haptic Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators in mobile devices poses challenges, such as ensuring effective force transmission and haptic feedback while protecting the actuators from excessive force, which is not adequately addressed by conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a piezo-electric actuator system within a mobile device's outer frame, utilizing a resilient member and a thinned section to form a virtual button that transmits force to the actuator and provides haptic feedback, with a protective housing to prevent damage from excessive force, and a PCB connector for signal exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If piezo-electric actuators are integrated into the mobile device frame to replace physical buttons, then device control functionality and haptic feedback are improved, but the actuators become vulnerable to damage from excessive user force
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient member is positioned between the button interface and the piezo-electric actuator to absorb excessive force before it reaches the actuator. This cushioning element prevents damage while allowing normal operational pressure to be transmitted effectively, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and actuator protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the piezo-electric actuator. It mediates the force transmission by being sufficiently compliant to protect the actuator from excessive force while remaining sufficiently rigid to transmit normal pressing forces effectively, thus enabling both easy operation and actuator protection.
2Shape
If the outer frame is thinned to create a virtual button surface, then the mechanical integration and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the structural strength of the frame is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outer frame is thinned only in the specific locations where virtual buttons are needed, while maintaining full thickness in other structural areas. This localized thinning creates the desired virtual button surface and aesthetic appearance without compromising the overall structural strength of the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is pre-installed in the thinned section of the frame to provide structural support and force protection. This cushioning element compensates for the reduced structural strength in the thinned area while enabling the virtual button functionality.
3Reliability
If a resilient member is introduced to protect the actuator, then actuator protection from excessive force is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is integrated into the existing frame structure or button assembly, merging its protective function with the overall device architecture. This approach adds the necessary protection functionality without significantly increasing device complexity, as the resilient member becomes part of the existing structural system rather than a separate additive component.
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 efficient force transmission and haptic feedback while protecting the piezo-electric actuators from damage, enhancing the mechanical integration and user experience of mobile devices by using a resilient member and protective housing to manage force and signal exchange effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezo-electric actuator configured to generate a first actuator voltage signal in response to a first force applied thereto by a user, and to generate a first haptic feedback to the user in response to a first haptic voltage signal transmitted from the controller thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A piezo-electric actuator on the side of a mobile device will enable pressure exerted by the user to be sensed at the conventional button locations, while providing a haptic feedback. Unfortunately, mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators at the side of a mobile device is challenging. A mobile device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a PCB; an outer frame surrounding the PCB; and a switch. The switch comprises: a first piezo-electric actuator configured to generate a first actuator voltage signal in response to a first force applied by a user, and to generate a first haptic feedback to the user in response to a first haptic voltage signal transmitted from the controller thereto; and a first virtual button in the outer frame configured to transmit the first force to the first piezo-electric actuator, and to transmit the first haptic feedback to the user.