CN114779971A

CN114779971A - Touch keyboard and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN114779971A
Application number: CN202210420410.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李璟林; 林柏荣
Original assignee: Interface Optoelectronics Shenzhen Co Ltd; Interface Technology Chengdu Co Ltd; Yecheng Optoelectronics Wuxi Co Ltd; General Interface Solution Ltd
Current assignee: Interface Optoelectronics Shenzhen Co Ltd; Interface Technology Chengdu Co Ltd; Yecheng Optoelectronics Wuxi Co Ltd; General Interface Solution Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-21
Filing date: 2022-04-21
Publication date: 2022-07-22

Abstract

The application relates to a touch keyboard and an electronic device. The touch keyboard is electrically connected with the mainboard and comprises a plurality of keys which are arranged at intervals; the key is provided with a first sensing electrode, the first sensing electrode is electrically connected with the mainboard, and the first sensing electrode is used for sensing touch information of fingers. According to the touch control method and device, the first sensing electrode is arranged on the key, and after a finger touches the key, the key can detect touch information of the finger. Therefore, the keys on the touch keyboard can form a touch pad, fingers slide on the keys, the main board can acquire the sliding tracks of the fingers, and the movement of the cursor on the display screen is controlled according to the sliding tracks. The touch keyboard integrates the touch pad and the keyboard, reduces the occupied space of the touch pad, and is beneficial to the miniaturization of electronic equipment.

Description

Touch keyboard and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of keyboard technologies, and in particular, to a touch keyboard and an electronic device.

Background

Notebook computer (Laptop), also called portable computer, palm computer or Laptop, features small size. The notebook computer includes a display, a keyboard and a touch pad (Touchpad). The operator inputs various instructions to the notebook computer through the keyboard to command the work of the notebook computer. The running condition of the notebook computer is output to the display, and an operator can conveniently utilize the keyboard and the display to talk with the notebook computer to modify and edit the program. However, the keyboard and the touch pad of the conventional notebook computer occupy a large space, which is not favorable for miniaturization of the notebook computer.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a touch keyboard and an electronic device for solving the problem of large occupied space of the keyboard and the touch pad of the notebook computer in the conventional technology.

A first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a touch keyboard, where the touch keyboard is used for electrically connecting with a motherboard, and the touch keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged at intervals;

the key is provided with a first sensing electrode, the first sensing electrode is electrically connected with the mainboard, and the first sensing electrode is used for sensing touch information of fingers.

In one embodiment, the touch keyboard further comprises a substrate, and the keys are arranged on the substrate; the first sensing electrode is positioned on one side of the key close to the substrate.

In one embodiment, a first accommodating cavity is formed in one side, close to the substrate, of the key, and the first sensing electrode is located in the first accommodating cavity.

In one embodiment, a side of the first sensing electrode, which is far away from the substrate, is provided with a protrusion;

the distance between the surface of the bulge far away from the substrate side and the surface of the key far away from the substrate side is 0.2-0.25 μm.

In one embodiment, a second sensing electrode is further arranged between the substrate and the first sensing electrode, and the second sensing electrode is electrically connected with the main board; when the touch key is in a natural state, a gap is formed between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode, so that when a finger presses the key, the second sensing electrode moves towards a direction close to the first sensing electrode.

In one embodiment, an insulating member is further disposed on the substrate, and at least a portion of the insulating member is located between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode.

In one embodiment, a part of the insulating part is positioned between the top surface of the second sensing electrode and the first sensing electrode, and the other part of the insulating part is enclosed on the side surface of the second sensing electrode;

the insulating member is configured to have an elastic insulating structure.

In one embodiment, in a natural state, a surface of the insulating member on a side close to the first sensing electrode abuts against the first sensing electrode;

or, in a natural state, a gap is formed between the surface of the insulating part close to one side of the first sensing electrode and the first sensing electrode; a supporting piece is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the insulating piece, one end of the supporting piece is connected with the substrate, and the other end of the supporting piece is connected with the key; the support is configured as a telescopic support structure.

In one embodiment, a second accommodating cavity is arranged on one side of the first sensing electrode close to the second sensing electrode;

the shape of the second accommodating cavity is matched with that of the insulating part, so that after a finger presses the key, at least part of the insulating part can be positioned in the second accommodating cavity.

In one embodiment, a light emitting element is further disposed between the second sensing electrode and the substrate, and the light emitting element is electrically connected to the main board.

According to the touch control keyboard, the first sensing electrode is arranged on the key, and after a finger touches the key, the key can detect touch information of the finger. Therefore, the keys on the touch keyboard can form a touch pad, fingers slide on the keys, the main board can acquire the sliding tracks of the fingers, and the movement of the cursor on the display screen is controlled according to the sliding tracks. The touch keyboard integrates the touch pad and the keyboard, reduces the occupied space of the touch pad, and is beneficial to the miniaturization of electronic equipment.

A second aspect of embodiments of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the touch keyboard in the first aspect.

According to the electronic equipment, the first sensing electrode is arranged on the key, and after a finger touches the key, the key can detect the touch information of the finger. Therefore, the keys on the touch keyboard can form a touch pad, fingers slide on the keys, the main board can acquire the sliding tracks of the fingers, and the movement of the cursor on the display screen is controlled according to the sliding tracks. The arrangement integrates the touch pad and the keyboard, so that the occupied space of the touch pad is reduced, and the electronic equipment has smaller volume and lighter weight.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the conventional technologies of the present application, the drawings used in the descriptions of the embodiments or the conventional technologies will be briefly introduced below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following descriptions are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a key and a first sensing electrode of a touch keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of a touch keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the key and the first sensing electrode of FIG. 1;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another touch keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another touch keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another touch keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application.

Reference numerals:

100-touch keyboard; 110-keys; 111-a first containment chamber; 120-a first sensing electrode; 121-projection; 122-a second receiving chamber; 130-a substrate; 140-a second sensing electrode; 150-an insulator; 160-a support; 170-a light emitting element; 200-display.

Detailed Description

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more comprehensible, embodiments accompanying the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. This application is capable of embodiment in many different forms than those described herein and those skilled in the art will be able to make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the application and therefore the application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the present application.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or to implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the feature. In the description of the present application, "plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless specifically limited otherwise.

In this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and can include, for example, fixed connections, removable connections, or integral parts; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or they may be connected internally or in any other suitable relationship, unless expressly stated otherwise. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as the case may be.

In this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, a first feature is "on" or "under" a second feature such that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact via an intermediary. Also, a first feature "on," "over," and "above" a second feature may be directly or diagonally above the second feature, or may simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature "under," "beneath," and "under" a second feature may be directly under or obliquely under the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "secured to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like as used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not denote a unique embodiment.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises/comprising," "includes" or "including," or "having," and the like, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Also, in this specification, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, a first aspect of the present invention provides a touch keyboard 100, where the touch keyboard 100 is used to be electrically connected to a main board, an operator inputs various instructions through the touch keyboard 100, and the main board processes the instructions and outputs a processing result to a display.

Specifically, the touch keypad 100 includes a plurality of keys 110 arranged at intervals. The structure of the key 110 is shown in fig. 1. The key 110 is provided with a first sensing electrode 120, the first sensing electrode 120 is electrically connected to the main board, and the first sensing electrode 120 is used for detecting the position of a finger.

The first sensing electrode 120 may be a receiving electrode (RX), the main board may provide an excitation signal to the first sensing electrode 120, and the first sensing electrode 120 has a self-capacitance. When a finger touches the key 110, the self-capacitance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the finger changes, and the main board recognizes the touch information of the finger by detecting the change of the self-capacitance.

In the touch keyboard 100 provided by the embodiment of the application, the first sensing electrode 120 is disposed on the key 110, and after a finger touches the key 110, the key 110 can detect touch information of the finger. Thus, the keys 110 on the touch keyboard 100 can form a touch pad, and a finger slides on the keys 110, so that the main board can obtain the sliding track of the finger, thereby controlling the movement of the cursor on the display screen according to the sliding track. The touch control keyboard 100 provided by the embodiment of the application integrates the touch control board and the keyboard, reduces the occupied space of the touch control board, and is beneficial to miniaturization of electronic equipment.

The working principle of the touch keyboard 100 provided by the embodiment of the application is as follows: as shown in fig. 2, when the operator needs to control the cursor to move, the finger first touches the surface of one key 110 as the starting point of the cursor movement, and then the finger slides on the surfaces of a plurality of adjacent keys 110 in sequence, and the direction of the finger sliding is the expected movement track of the cursor. As can be seen from fig. 2, the first sensing electrode 120 corresponding to each key 110 touched by a finger detects touch information of the finger, and the main board obtains a sliding track according to the touch information and outputs the sliding track to the display 200.

In one embodiment, the touch keypad 100 further includes a substrate 130, and the keys 110 are disposed on the substrate 130. The first sensing electrode 120 is located on one side of the key 110 close to the substrate 130. The substrate 130 may be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

It should be noted that the material of the key 110 may be plastic. By disposing the first sensing electrode 120 on the side of the key 110 close to the substrate 130, the key 110 can protect the first sensing electrode 120, and prevent a finger or other foreign objects from directly contacting the first sensing electrode 120 and damaging the first sensing electrode 120.

It will be appreciated that the first sensing electrode 120 may also be disposed on the top surface of the key 110, i.e.: the first sensing electrode 120 is located at a finger-pressing side of the key 110. At this time, a protection layer should be disposed on a side of the first sensing electrode 120 away from the key 110 to prevent a finger or other foreign objects from directly contacting the first sensing electrode 120 and damaging the first sensing electrode 120. The thickness of the protection layer can be set according to actual needs, and this setting mode can shorten the distance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the finger, and improve the detection sensitivity and the detection accuracy of the first sensing electrode 120.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, a first accommodating cavity 111 is disposed on a side of the key 110 close to the substrate 130, and the first sensing electrode 120 is located in the first accommodating cavity 111.

The first receiving cavity 111 is provided to provide the key 110 with a mounting area on one hand, and the first sensing electrode 120 can be mounted inside the key 110; and on the other hand, the overall height of the key 110 and the first sensing electrode 120 after assembly can be reduced.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, a protrusion 121 is disposed on a side of the first sensing electrode 120 away from the substrate 130. The protrusion 121 is disposed to make the distance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the top surface of the key 110 closer, and when a finger touches the top surface of the key 110, the distance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the finger is closer, so that the detection sensitivity and the detection accuracy of the first sensing electrode 120 are higher.

Specifically, the distance between the surface of the protrusion 121 away from the substrate 130 and the surface of the key 110 away from the substrate 130 is L, and the distance L may be between 0.2 μm and 0.25 μm, where the distance L may be 0.2 μm, 0.22 μm, 0.24 μm, or 0.25 μm. The distance L is within the above range, which can improve the detection sensitivity and detection accuracy of the first sensing electrode 120; on the other hand, the top surface of the key 110 has a certain strength, so that the top surface of the key 110 is not easy to be damaged.

It should be noted that the numerical values and numerical ranges related to the embodiments of the present application are approximate values, and there may be a certain range of errors due to the manufacturing process, and such errors may be considered as negligible by those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, a second sensing electrode 140 is further disposed between the substrate 130 and the first sensing electrode 120. In a natural state, a gap is formed between the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140, so that when the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the second sensing electrode 140 moves toward the first sensing electrode 120.

Wherein the second sensing electrode 140 can be a Transmit electrode (TX), the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 have a mutual capacitance therebetween, and the motherboard applies an excitation signal to one of the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140, and the excitation signal can be sensed and received at the other of the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 due to the existence of the mutual capacitance. When a finger presses the key 110, the key 110 moves toward the substrate 130, the distance between the second sensing electrode 140 and the first sensing electrode 120 decreases, the mutual capacitance between the two changes, and the excitation signal induced and received by the other of the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 also changes. The main board detects the change of the excitation signal, determines that the key 110 is pressed, and then executes the instruction corresponding to the key 110.

It is understood that the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 may be made of the same material. For example, the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 may be made of a conductive metal such as gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, or copper; on the other hand, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), which is a mixture of Indium Oxide and Tin Oxide, is transparent and slightly dark brown when in a thin film state.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, an insulating member 150 is further disposed on the substrate 130, and at least a portion of the insulating member 150 is located between the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140.

By arranging the insulating member 150 between the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140, after the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 can be prevented from contacting, the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 are prevented from mutual electrical interference, and the working stability of the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 is ensured.

It is understood that the insulating member 150 may be an insulating layer, which may be disposed on a side of the first sensing electrode 120 adjacent to the second sensing electrode 140, or on a side of the second sensing electrode 140 adjacent to the first sensing electrode 120.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, a portion of the insulating member 150 is located between the top surface of the second sensing electrode 140 and the first sensing electrode 120, and another portion of the insulating member 150 is enclosed on the side surface of the second sensing electrode 140. In this way, the insulating member 150 completely wraps the second sensing electrode 140, and electrical interference between the second sensing electrode 140 and other electrical components is avoided.

Specifically, the insulating member 150 is configured to have an insulating structure having elasticity. For example, the insulating member 150 may be made of rubber. Thus, when the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the insulating member 150 may rebound to restore the key 110 to a natural state.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, in the natural state, the surface of the insulator 150 near the first sensing electrode 120 abuts the first sensing electrode 120. Thus, the insulating member 150 supports the key 110 in a natural state. When the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the insulating member 150 is compressed, the distance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 becomes smaller, and the main board detects a pressing signal of the key 110. After the finger is pressed, the insulating member 150 rebounds, the insulating member 150 supports the key 110, and the key 110 is restored to the natural state.

In one possible embodiment, a gap may be formed between the top surface of the second sensing electrode 140 and the insulating member 150 above the second sensing electrode 140, so that the thickness of the insulating member 150 above the second sensing electrode 140 can be reduced, the strength of the insulating member 150 can be reduced, and the insulating member 150 can be more easily compressed when the finger presses the key 110.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, in the natural state, a gap is formed between the surface of the insulating member 150 close to the first sensing electrode 120 and the first sensing electrode 120. The outer circumference of the insulating member 150 is provided with a supporter 160, and one end of the supporter 160 is connected to the substrate 130 and the other end is connected to the key 110. Wherein the support 160 is configured as a telescopic support structure.

Thus, the supporter 160 supports the key 110 in a natural state. When the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the distance between the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 becomes smaller, the main board detects a pressing signal of the key 110, the insulating member 150 is compressed, after the finger pressing is finished, the insulating member 150 rebounds, the insulating member 150 supports the key 110, and the key 110 is restored to a natural state.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, a side of the first sensing electrode 120 close to the second sensing electrode 140 is provided with a second accommodating cavity 122. The shape of the second receiving cavity 122 is adapted to the shape of the insulating member 150, so that at least a portion of the insulating member 150 can be located in the second receiving cavity 122 after the key 110 is pressed by a finger.

Thus, after the key 110 is pressed by a finger, the insulating member 150 can guide the first sensing electrode 120 and the key 110, so as to prevent the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140 from being dislocated when the key 110 is pressed, which affects the detection accuracy of the first sensing electrode 120 and the second sensing electrode 140.

It is understood that the shape of the second receiving cavity 122 and the shape of the insulating member 150 are matched to mean that: the cavity of the second receiving cavity 122 may be slightly larger than or equal to the outer contour of the insulating member 150.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, a light emitting element 170 is further disposed between the second sensing electrode 140 and the substrate 130, and the light emitting element 170 is electrically connected to the motherboard. In this way, the light emitted by the light emitting element 170 can be used as a touch feedback and/or a press feedback, so that the operator can know whether the touch operation or the press operation is effective or not in time.

Specifically, after the finger touches the key 110, the main board detects the touch signal and provides an electrical signal to the light emitting element 170, so that the light emitting element 170 emits light. The light emitting element 170 may be a light-emitting diode (LED).

A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the touch keyboard 100 in the first aspect.

Specifically, the electronic device may further include a display and a motherboard, the touch keyboard 100 and the display are both electrically connected to the motherboard, an operator inputs various instructions through the touch keyboard 100, and the motherboard processes the instructions and outputs a processing result to the display.

The electronic device may be a terminal device having a keyboard, such as a desktop Computer, a notebook Computer, an Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), a Computer Workstation (Computer Workstation), and the like.

In the electronic device, the first sensing electrode 120 is disposed on the key 110, and after a finger touches the key 110, the key 110 can detect touch information of the finger. Thus, the keys 110 on the touch keyboard 100 can form a touch pad, and a finger slides on the keys 110, so that the main board can obtain the sliding track of the finger, thereby controlling the movement of the cursor on the display screen according to the sliding track. The arrangement integrates the touch pad and the keyboard, so that the occupied space of the touch pad is reduced, and the electronic equipment has smaller volume and lighter weight.

In the description herein, references to the description of "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "desired embodiments," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, a schematic description of the above terminology may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

The technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features of the above embodiments are not described, but should be considered as the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, which falls within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touch keyboard is used for being electrically connected with a mainboard and is characterized by comprising a plurality of keys which are arranged at intervals;

2. A touch keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate, the keys being disposed on the substrate; the first sensing electrode is positioned on one side of the key close to the substrate.

3. A touch keyboard according to claim 2, wherein a first receiving cavity is formed in a side of the key adjacent to the substrate, and the first sensing electrode is located in the first receiving cavity.

4. The touch keyboard of claim 3, wherein a side of the first sensing electrode away from the substrate is provided with a protrusion;

5. A touch keyboard according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein a second sensing electrode is further disposed between the substrate and the first sensing electrode, the second sensing electrode being electrically connected to the main board;

in a natural state, a gap is formed between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode, so that when a finger presses the key, the second sensing electrode moves towards a direction close to the first sensing electrode.

6. A touch keyboard according to claim 5, wherein an insulator is further provided on the substrate, at least part of the insulator being located between the first and second sensing electrodes.

7. A touch keyboard according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the insulating member is located between the top surface of the second sensing electrode and the first sensing electrode, and another portion of the insulating member is enclosed in a side surface of the second sensing electrode;

the insulating member is configured to have an elastic insulating structure.

8. A touch keyboard according to claim 7, wherein a surface of the insulating member on a side close to the first sensing electrode abuts against the first sensing electrode in a natural state;

9. The touch keyboard according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a second accommodating cavity is arranged on one side of the first sensing electrode close to the second sensing electrode;

the shape of the second accommodating cavity is matched with that of the insulating piece, so that after a finger presses the key, at least part of the insulating piece can be located in the second accommodating cavity.

10. The touch keyboard of claim 5, wherein a light emitting element is further disposed between the second sensing electrode and the substrate, and the light emitting element is electrically connected to the main board.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that the electronic device comprises a touch keyboard according to any one of claims 1-10.