Winged Bracket Strain Gauge for Compact Stylus Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical space constraints within a stylus housing make it difficult to incorporate a pressure sensor without interfering with other components, necessitating a space-efficient design for pressure sensing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a winged bracket within the stylus housing that flexes in response to pressure, coupled with a strain gauge to measure strain along the bracket, enabling pressure measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor is incorporated into the stylus housing, then pressure measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and space utilization are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure sensing function with the existing stylus structure by integrating a strain gauge directly onto the bracket that is already part of the stylus assembly. This merging approach eliminates the need for a separate pressure sensor component, thereby improving pressure measurement capability while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket in the stylus is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the stylus tip assembly and simultaneously acts as the sensing element for pressure measurement through the integrated strain gauge. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling pressure measurement without adding dedicated pressure sensing components that would increase device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor is incorporated into the stylus housing, then pressure measurement capability is improved, but the available space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidavailable space within housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensing function is merged with the existing bracket structure, eliminating the need for separate pressure sensor housing and associated mounting space. The strain gauge is applied directly to the bracket surface, utilizing existing structural space rather than consuming additional volume within the stylus housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the pressure sensing function from traditional separate pressure sensor components and implements it through the strain gauge on the bracket. This extraction approach removes the need for dedicated pressure sensor packaging and mounting infrastructure, thereby preserving available space for other stylus components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables pressure sensing within the stylus while conserving physical space, allowing for precise measurement of applied pressure.

Implementation Method 1

A winged bracket mounted within the elongate housing and affixed to a tip-distal end of the stylus tip assembly is configured to flex in response to pressure applied to the stylus tip assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A strain gauge disposed along the winged bracket is configured to measure strain along the winged bracket caused by pressure applied to the tip assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4323855B1Winged bracket for stylus strain gauge
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4323855B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4323855B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4323855B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An active stylus includes a stylus tip assembly and an elongate housing enclosing a portion of the stylus tip assembly. A winged bracket mounted within the elongate housing and affixed to a tip-distal end of the stylus tip assembly is configured to flex in response to pressure applied to the stylus tip assembly. A strain gauge disposed along the winged bracket is configured to measure strain along the winged bracket caused by pressure applied to the tip assembly.