Virtual Button Integration for Protected Piezoelectric Side Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators in mobile devices poses challenges, such as the need to replace traditional buttons while providing haptic feedback and ensuring the actuators are protected from excessive force, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device design incorporating a PCB, a hard-plastic or metallic outer frame with virtual buttons and piezo-electric actuators, where the virtual buttons transmit force to the actuators and receive haptic feedback, and a protective housing to prevent damage from excessive force, using resilient members and hard stops to manage displacement and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If piezo-electric actuators are integrated to replace physical buttons, then device complexity is reduced and haptic feedback is enabled, but the actuators are vulnerable to damage from excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient member is positioned between the virtual button and the piezo-electric actuator to absorb excessive force before it reaches the actuator. This cushioning element prevents damage while allowing normal button operation, resolving the contradiction between button functionality and actuator protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the user-applied force and the piezo-electric actuator. It mediates the force transmission by being compliant under normal pressure but protective under excessive force, enabling both button operation and actuator safety.
2Manufacturing precision
If virtual buttons are implemented in the outer frame, then manufacturing precision is improved, but force transmission to the actuator may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The outer frame is designed with localized features including a recessed area and a resilient member specifically at the button location. This local modification allows the rigid frame to effectively transmit force to the actuator while providing necessary compliance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and force transmission.
3Strength
If the outer frame is made of hard-plastic or metallic material for structural integrity, then device strength is improved, but the frame may transmit excessive force to the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is integrated into the hard-plastic or metallic outer frame to provide beforehand cushioning. This allows the frame to maintain its structural strength and integrity while the resilient member prevents excessive force from reaching the piezo-electric actuator, resolving the contradiction between frame strength and actuator protection.
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 effective replacement of physical buttons with piezo-electric actuators, providing haptic feedback and protecting the actuators from damage, while maintaining device integrity and user experience.
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.