CN110609587B

CN110609587B - Touch control module

Info

Publication number: CN110609587B
Application number: CN201810622310.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黄大受
Original assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-15
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2023-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-15
Also published as: CN110609587A

Abstract

The invention provides a touch module which comprises a frame body, a touch panel assembly and a hinge structure. The touch control plate component is positioned above the frame body, the hinge structure is positioned between the frame body and the touch control plate component, and the touch control plate component comprises an elastic sheet and a supporting element. One end of the elastic sheet is connected to the touch control plate component, and the supporting element is arranged on the frame body and connected to the elastic sheet. Because the elastic sheet can enable the touch control plate component to swing towards the fixed direction, when the touch control plate component is touched and pressed, one end of the elastic sheet swings to drive the touch control plate component to swing stably. Therefore, the touch module can stably operate.

Description

Touch control module

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a touch module disposed on a computer.

Background

Common conventional computer peripheral input devices include mouse devices, keyboard devices, trackball devices, and the like. With the progress of the era, a touch module is introduced in the market, so that a user can directly use fingers to operate on the touch module, thereby operating the computer system. The application of the touch module is quite extensive, and the early notebook computer already comprises the touch module which can control the movement of a cursor or click an image of a user interface, so that the notebook computer can be operated without using a mouse. The touch module has the advantage of being convenient for a user to execute various instructions by intuitively operating the touch module.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional notebook computer and a touch module. The conventional touch module 1 is disposed in a computer housing 21 of the notebook computer 2 and partially exposed to the outside for a user to touch the notebook computer 2. For example: the user can touch the touch module 1 with a finger and slide on the conventional touch module 1 to move the cursor 23 on the screen 22 of the notebook computer 2. Alternatively, the conventional touch module 1 may be pressed to make the notebook computer 2 execute the key function. Therefore, the conventional touch module 1 can replace the mouse, so that the user does not need to carry or install the mouse, which is inconvenient.

Next, the internal structure of the conventional touch module is described. Referring to fig. 1 and fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a conventional touch module. The conventional touch module 1 is disposed in the computer housing 21 and partially exposed, and includes a frame 11, a touch pad assembly 12, a metal supporting block 13, and a sponge 14. The frame 11 is disposed on the computer housing 21 and has a protruding portion 111. The sponge 14 is provided on one side of the frame 11 with an adhesive, and the metal supporting block 13 is also provided on the sponge 14 with an adhesive. The touch pad assembly 12 is located above the frame 11, and one end of the touch pad assembly 12 is connected to the metal supporting block 13 through an adhesive, and the touch pad assembly 12 includes a cover 121, a circuit board 122 and a key switch 123. One end of the circuit board 122 is connected to the metal supporting block 13, and the key switch 123 is disposed on the lower surface of the circuit board and located at the other end of the circuit board 122. The cover 121 is disposed on the circuit board 122 and exposed outside the computer housing 21.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 2, and fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a touch module in the prior art. When a user touches the touch pad assembly 1 with his/her finger, the other end of the touch pad assembly 1 (i.e., the end where the key switch 123 is located) swings downward relative to the computer housing 21 with the metal supporting block 13 and the sponge 14 as the supporting points. Wherein, according to the depression of the touch pad assembly 1, the sponge 14 is compressed by the force, so that the touch pad assembly 1 swings downward. In the downward swinging process of the touch pad assembly 1, the key switch 123 on the circuit board 122 contacts with the protruding portion 111 on the frame 11, and is triggered to generate a corresponding key signal to the notebook computer 2, so that the notebook computer 2 can perform an instruction corresponding to the key signal. When the finger of the user no longer touches the touch pad assembly 1, the touch pad assembly 1 swings upward to return to the pre-touched position according to the internal elastic force of the key switch 123 and the elastic restoring force of the sponge. Through the above operation, the conventional touch module 1 can provide a button function to replace a mouse.

In the conventional touch module 1, since the touch pad assembly 1 is fixed on the metal supporting block 13, and the soft sponge 14 is disposed under the metal supporting block 13, the sponge 14 is pressed down to present a compressed state, so that the touch pad assembly 1 swings, but in actual operation, the sponge 14 is irregularly compressed in all directions, so that the swing of the touch pad assembly 1 is unstable, and the touch feeling of the conventional touch module 1 is affected.

Therefore, a touch module that can stably operate is needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a touch module capable of stably operating.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a touch module disposed on a computer casing, the touch module including a frame, a touch pad assembly and a hinge structure. The touch control plate component is positioned above the frame body, and part of the touch control plate component is exposed out of the computer shell, is used for being touched and pressed to swing relative to the computer shell, and generates a corresponding key signal when the touch control plate component is contacted with the frame body. The hinge structure is positioned between the frame body and the touch control plate component and is used for generating deformation according to the swing of the touch control plate component. The hinge structure comprises an elastic sheet and a supporting element, wherein one end of the elastic sheet is connected with the touch control plate component. The supporting element is arranged on the frame body and connected with the elastic sheet for supporting the elastic sheet; when the touch control plate component is touched and pressed, one end of the elastic piece swings to drive the touch control plate component to swing.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic sheet includes a body, at least one extension arm, and at least one hollow structure, wherein the body is disposed on the supporting element. The at least one extension arm is formed by extending outwards from the body, is connected to the touch control plate assembly and is used for swinging to drive the touch control plate assembly to swing. The at least one hollow structure corresponds to the extension arm and is positioned between the corresponding extension arm and the body for assisting the at least one extension arm to swing.

In a preferred embodiment, when the touch pad assembly is touched, the supporting element supports the body so that the body does not swing, the at least one extension arm swings relative to the body according to the elasticity of the elastic sheet and the at least one hollow structure, and drives the touch pad assembly to swing relative to the computer casing so that the touch pad assembly contacts with the frame.

In short, the touch module adopts a hinge structure comprising an elastic sheet instead of a sponge which can deform irregularly, so that the hinge structure cannot shake irregularly when the touch panel component is touched. In addition, the elastic sheet is provided with a hollow structure, so that the plurality of extension arms can only swing in a fixed direction, and the swing direction of the plurality of extension arms is perpendicular to the setting direction of the hollow structure. Therefore, the elastic sheet can provide a fixed swinging direction of the touch pad assembly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the external structure of a conventional keyboard.

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a conventional touch module.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a conventional touch module pressed by a touch device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a touch module according to another view angle in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The reference numerals are as follows:

1. 3 touch control module

2. Notebook computer

4. 21 computer casing

11. 31 frame body

12. 32 touch pad assembly

13. Metal supporting block

14. Sponge

22. Screen panel

23. Cursor

33. Hinge structure

34. First adhesive

35. Second adhesive

36. Third adhesive

37. Fourth adhesive

38. Fixing element

41. Upper casing

42. Lower casing

111. 312 projection

121. Cover plate

122. Circuit board

123. Key switch

311. Frame body

313. Positioning hole

331. Elastic sheet

332. Support element

3311. Body

3312. Extension arm

3313. Hollow structure

Detailed Description

In view of the problems caused by the prior art, the present invention provides a touch module capable of solving the problems of the prior art. Referring to fig. 4, 5 and 6, fig. 4 is a schematic side view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 5 is a schematic exploded view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and fig. 6 is a schematic exploded view of a touch module according to another preferred embodiment of the invention from another view. The touch module 3 is disposed on the computer housing 4 and partially exposed outside the computer housing 4, the touch module 3 includes a frame 31, a touch pad assembly 32 and a hinge structure 33, and the computer housing 4 includes an upper housing 41 and a lower housing 42. The touch pad assembly 32 is located above the frame 31 and partially exposed outside the upper housing 41, and can be pressed to swing relative to the computer housing 4, so as to generate corresponding key signals when the touch pad assembly 32 contacts the frame 31.

The hinge structure 33 is located between the frame 31 and the touch pad assembly 32, and can locally deform according to the swing of the touch pad assembly 32. The hinge structure 33 includes an elastic piece 331 and a supporting element 332, wherein one end of the elastic piece 331 is connected to the touch pad assembly 32. The supporting element 332 is disposed on the frame 31 and connected to the elastic piece 331, and functions to support the elastic piece 331 thereon. When the user touches the touch pad assembly 32, one end of the elastic piece 331 swings to drive the touch pad assembly 32 to swing relative to the computer case 4.

Next, the structure of each element of the hinge structure 33 will be described. The elastic piece 331 includes a body 3311, a plurality of extension arms 3312, and a plurality of hollow structures 3313, wherein the body 3311 is disposed on the supporting element 332. The extension arms 3312 are respectively formed by extending outwards from the body 3311 and are respectively connected to the touch pad assembly 32, and can swing to deform the elastic sheet 331 so as to drive the touch pad assembly 32 to swing. One hollow structure 3313 corresponds to one extension arm 3312, and the hollow structure 3313 is located between the corresponding extension arm 3312 and the body 3311, that is, the hollow structure 3313 is formed by a plurality of holes, so that the extension arm 3312 is easy to bend under stress. Thus, when the elastic piece 3313 is pressed, the hollow structure 3313 can assist the corresponding extension arm 3312 to swing.

In the hinge structure 33, the body 3311 is connected to the supporting member 332 by the first adhesive 34, and the plurality of extension arms 3312 is connected to the touch pad assembly 32 by the second adhesive 35. On the other hand, the support member 332 is provided on the housing 31 with the third adhesive 36. In the preferred embodiment, the body 3311 and the plurality of extension arms 3312 are integrally formed with the elastic piece 331, and the body 3311 and the plurality of extension arms 3312 are made of metal material. The supporting element 332 is also made of metal material. In addition, the first adhesive 34, the second adhesive 35, and the third adhesive 36 are all pressure sensitive adhesives.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6 again, the touch pad assembly 32 includes a cover 321, a circuit board 322, and a key switch 323. The cover 321 is exposed outside the upper housing 41, and the circuit board 322 is located below the cover 321 and connected to the cover 321. The key switch 323 is disposed on the lower surface of the circuit board 322 and electrically connected to the circuit board 322. When the cover 321 is pressed by a user, the cover 321, the circuit board 322 and the key switch 323 swing relative to the computer case 4, so that the key switch 323 contacts the frame 31 to generate a corresponding key signal. In the touch pad assembly 32, the circuit board 322 is connected to the cover 321 by the fourth adhesive 37. In the preferred embodiment, the fourth adhesive 37 is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

On the other hand, the frame 31 includes a frame body 311, a protrusion 312, and a plurality of positioning holes 313, wherein the protrusion 312 is disposed on the frame body 311 and below the key switch 323 of the touch pad assembly 32. The positioning holes 313 are disposed around the frame body 311, through which the fixing elements 38 can pass to fix the frame 31 on the lower casing 42 of the computer casing 4. In the preferred embodiment, the fixing element 38 is a screw, and the protruding portion 312 is integrally formed with the frame body 311, which is for illustration only, but not limited thereto. In another preferred embodiment, the protruding portion may be disposed on the frame body by various bonding methods such as adhesion, fitting, and assembly.

Next, the operation of the touch module 3 of the present invention will be described. Referring to fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 6, and fig. 7, fig. 7 is a schematic side view of a touch module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. When a user touches the cover 321 of the touch pad assembly 32 with his/her finger, the cover 321, the circuit board 322, and the key switch 323 swing downward with respect to the computer case 4 about the supporting element 332 as a fulcrum. According to the arrangement of the plurality of extension arms 3312 and the plurality of hollow structures 3313, the plurality of extension arms 3312 can swing along the direction perpendicular to the plurality of hollow structures 3313 relative to the body 3331, that is, the elastic piece 331 is deformed in a fixed direction. In the process of swinging down the touch pad assembly 32, the key switch 323 on the lower surface of the circuit board 322 is abutted by the protruding portion 312 on the frame 31 to generate a corresponding key signal. When the finger of the user no longer touches the cover 321, the touch pad assembly 32 swings upward to return to the pre-touched position according to the internal elastic force of the key switch 323 and the metal elastic force of the elastic piece 331.

It should be noted that, according to the arrangement of the plurality of extension arms 3312 and the plurality of hollow structures 3313, when the elastic piece 331 receives the downward pressing force, the plurality of extension arms 3312 easily swing relative to the body 3331, and the swinging direction of the plurality of extension arms 3312 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the hollow structures 3313, wherein the arrangement direction of the hollow structures 3313 is the arrangement direction of the plurality of holes. In other words, the elastic piece 331 can provide a fixed swinging direction of the touch pad assembly 32, so that the touch pad assembly 32 can swing stably.

According to the above, the touch module of the present invention adopts the hinge structure including the elastic sheet instead of the sponge which is irregularly deformed, so that the hinge structure does not irregularly shake when the touch panel assembly is touched. In addition, the elastic sheet is provided with a hollow structure, so that the plurality of extension arms can only swing in a fixed direction, and the swing direction of the plurality of extension arms is perpendicular to the setting direction of the hollow structure. Therefore, the elastic sheet can provide a fixed swinging direction of the touch pad assembly. In summary, the touch pad assembly of the touch module of the present invention can perform stable swinging to solve the problems of the prior art.

The above description is for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention as claimed, and all other equivalent changes and modifications that may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention disclosed herein are intended to be included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. The utility model provides a touch module, sets up on a computer casing, this touch module includes:

a frame;

the touch control board component is positioned above the frame body, is partially exposed out of the computer shell, is used for being pressed to swing relative to the computer shell, and generates a corresponding key signal when contacting with the frame body; and

the hinge structure is positioned between the frame body and the touch control plate component and is used for deforming according to the swinging of the touch control plate component, and the hinge structure comprises:

one end of the elastic sheet is connected with the touch control plate component; and

the supporting element is arranged on the frame body and connected with the elastic sheet for supporting the elastic sheet; when the touch control plate component is touched and pressed, one end of the elastic piece swings to drive the touch control plate component to swing;

wherein, this elastic sheet includes: a body arranged on the supporting element; at least one extension arm formed by extending outwards from the body and connected to the touch control plate component for swinging to drive the touch control plate component to swing; the at least one hollow structure corresponds to the extension arm and is positioned between the corresponding extension arm and the body to assist the at least one extension arm to swing;

when the touch control plate component is touched and pressed, the supporting element supports the body, so that the body does not swing, the at least one extension arm swings relative to the body according to the elasticity of the elastic sheet and the at least one hollow structure, and drives the touch control plate component to swing relative to the computer shell, so that the touch control plate component is contacted with the frame body;

the touch pad assembly includes: a cover plate exposed outside the computer casing; the circuit board is positioned below the cover plate and connected with the cover plate; the key switch is arranged on the lower surface of the circuit board and is electrically connected with the circuit board; when the cover plate is touched and pressed, the cover plate, the circuit board and the key switch swing relative to the computer shell, so that the key switch is contacted with the frame body to generate the corresponding key signal;

the frame body comprises: a frame body; the protruding part is arranged on the frame body and is positioned below the key switch; when the cover plate is pressed, the cover plate, the circuit board and the key switch swing relative to the computer shell, so that the key switch is propped against the protruding part to generate the key signal.

2. The touch module of claim 1, wherein the body and the at least one extension arm are integrally formed with the elastic sheet, and the body and the at least one extension arm are made of a metal material.

3. The touch module of claim 1, wherein the body is connected to the support member with a first adhesive and the at least one extension arm is connected to the touch pad assembly with at least a second adhesive.

4. The touch module of claim 1, wherein the supporting element is disposed on the frame with a third adhesive.

5. The touch module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is connected to the cover plate with a fourth adhesive.

6. The touch module of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of positioning holes disposed around the frame body for allowing a plurality of fixing elements to pass through to fix the frame on the computer housing.