CN117811562A - Key switch and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a key switch, which comprises a controller, a touch panel and a main shell, wherein the controller is arranged in the main shell, the touch panel is arranged on the main shell, different areas of the touch panel are provided with at least two key positions, the at least two key positions are respectively used for controlling different equipment or different functions of the same equipment, and the touch panel is of an integrated structure; the key switch is also provided with an electronic switch; the controller can receive induction signals corresponding to at least two key positions; when the key position is operated, the electronic switch is actuated to send an on-off signal to the controller. The key switch can solve the problem of key gaps while realizing the multi-key position control function, has more convenient surface cleaning, consistent appearance, good visual effect, easy assembly and strong aesthetic property. The invention also provides a control method of the key switch, which is simple and easy to implement and has better experience and feedback.

Description

Key switch and control method thereof

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of switches, in particular to a key switch and a control method thereof.

Background

Currently, existing household switches, such as a rocker type key switch, are most common, wherein a multi-position switch can control a plurality of devices or control different functions of the same device, including a two-position switch, a three-position switch, a four-position switch, and the like, and pressing different key positions triggers corresponding controlled devices or corresponding control functions, such as opening and closing different indoor lamps, controlling curtains, opening and closing clothes hangers, and the like. Most of these switches are mechanical switches, which have serious uniformity in appearance, function and structure, and lack new operational experience.

The multi-position rocker switch on the market has the advantages that keys are of independent entity structures of all key positions, are physically separated from each other, are relatively inconvenient to assemble, are provided with gaps in adjacent key positions, are poor in sealing performance, are easy to collect dirt, are required to be pressed respectively when a user uses the multi-position rocker switch, are poor in feedback experience, and are poor in overall attractiveness. There are also some pure touch switches on the market, but the pure touch switch is easy to touch by mistake, and the user experience and the control hand feeling are not good for the user who is used to the pressing operation. In view of these widespread drawbacks and shortcomings, new designs for multi-position switches are needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a key switch which can solve the problem of key gaps while realizing a multi-key position control function, has the advantages of more convenient surface cleaning, consistent appearance, good visual effect, easy assembly and strong aesthetic property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a key switch, which is simple and easy to implement and has better experience and feedback.

The invention provides a key switch, which comprises a controller, a touch panel and a main shell, wherein the controller is arranged in the main shell, the touch panel is arranged on the main shell, different areas of the touch panel are provided with at least two key positions, and the at least two key positions are respectively used for controlling different equipment or different functions of the same equipment, and the key switch is characterized in that: the touch panel is of an integrated structure; the key switch is also provided with an electronic switch; the controller can receive induction signals corresponding to the at least two key positions; when the key bit is operated, the electronic switch is actuated to send an on-off signal to the controller. The touch panel is integrally formed, so that gaps among different keys are eliminated, the assembly is easy, the cleaning is convenient, and the control experience is novel and unique.

In another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, a side of the touch panel facing the main housing is provided with touch sensing elements disposed corresponding to the at least two key positions, and the touch sensing elements are connected to the controller, and are capable of generating the sensing signal when the key position corresponding thereto is operated.

In another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, a pressing portion disposed corresponding to the electronic switch is further provided on the key switch, and when the key position is operated, the pressing portion moves relative to the electronic switch and presses the electronic switch to be actuated.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the controller may recognize the key bit currently operated according to the received sensing signal and the on-off signal and generate a control signal to control a device or function corresponding to the key bit.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the key switch further includes a first circuit board fixedly connected to the touch panel and located at a side of the touch panel facing the main housing, and the touch sensing element is disposed on the first circuit board, and generates the sensing signal when the touch sensing element senses a change in capacitance.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the push-button switch according to the invention, a second circuit board is also provided in the main housing, the controller being arranged on the second circuit board.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, a first connector is disposed on the first circuit board, and a second connector is disposed on the second circuit board, and the first connector is electrically connected to the second connector, so that the sensing signal sensed on the first circuit board can be transmitted to the controller on the second circuit board.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the pressing portion is a protruding portion formed from a side of the touch panel or the first circuit board toward the main housing.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the push-button switch according to the invention, the electronic switch is arranged on the second circuit board or the first circuit board.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the touch panel is pivotally mounted to the main housing.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the touch panel is movable toward the main housing in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel when the key position is operated.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the push-button switch according to the invention, a separation mark is arranged between two adjacent push-button bits, said separation mark being used to distinguish between the different push-button bits.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the separation mark is a fluorescent strip or a separation line made by any one of printing, painting, laser engraving, and engraving.

The invention also provides a control method of the key switch, the key switch comprises a touch panel and an electronic switch, different areas of the touch panel are provided with at least two key positions, and the control method is characterized in that: the control method comprises the following steps: acquiring an induction signal and an on-off signal, wherein the on-off signal is used for indicating the electronic switch to be actuated; identifying the currently operated key bit according to the induction signal; and generating a control signal, wherein the control signal is a control instruction corresponding to the currently operated key position. The control method is simple and feasible, and the experience and feedback are better.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method for operating a key switch of the present invention, the obtaining an induction signal and an on-off signal includes: simultaneously monitoring signals of the electronic switch and signals of the touch sensing elements which are arranged corresponding to the at least two key positions; when the electronic switch is operated, the on-off signal generated by the electronic switch is acquired; when the touch sensing element is operated, the sensing signal generated by the currently operated key position is acquired.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method for operating a key switch of the present invention, the obtaining an induction signal and an on-off signal includes: monitoring a signal of the electronic switch to acquire an on-off signal generated by the electronic switch when the electronic switch is operated; after the on-off signal is obtained, monitoring signals generated by touch sensing elements which are arranged corresponding to the at least two key positions, so as to obtain the sensing signals corresponding to the key positions which are currently operated when the touch sensing elements are operated.

Drawings

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of an exemplary embodiment of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the key switch in fig. 1 under another view angle.

Wherein, the reference numerals are as follows:

1 touch panel 3 first circuit board 52 electronic switch

11 key position 31 touch sensing element

12 separation mark 32 first connector

13 press portion 4 pivot shaft

2 main housing 5 second circuit board

21 upper housing 51 second connector

22 lower shell

Detailed Description

For a clearer understanding of the technical features, objects and effects of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or structurally similar but functionally identical components throughout the separate views.

In this document, "schematic" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and any illustrations, embodiments described herein as "schematic" should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous solution.

Herein, "first", "second", etc. do not indicate the degree of importance or order thereof, etc., but merely indicate distinction from each other to facilitate description of documents.

For the sake of simplicity of the drawing, the parts relevant to the present invention are shown only schematically in the figures, which do not represent the actual structure thereof as a product. In addition, for simplicity and ease of understanding, components having the same structure or function in some of the figures are shown schematically only one of them, or only one of them is labeled.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view for explaining a key switch of the present invention, which is presented in fig. 1 in an assembled integrated manner. Fig. 2 is an exploded structural view for explaining one embodiment of a key switch of the present invention, which is shown in fig. 2 in an exploded view. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the overall structure of one embodiment of the key switch in another view.

As shown in fig. 1, the key switch includes a controller, a touch panel 1, and a main casing 2, the controller being provided in the main casing 2, the touch panel 1 being mounted on the main casing 2. The key switch is a 2-bit switch and more, at least two key positions 11 are arranged in different areas of the touch panel 1, and the key positions 11 are respectively used for controlling different devices or different functions of the same device, such as controlling the on-off of different indoor lamps, controlling the cold air and warm air modes of an air conditioner, controlling the start and stop of a curtain and a clothes hanger, and the like. The touch panel 1 is an integral structure, which is an integral piece that is not divided in terms of physical structure, and the key positions 11 are distributed in different areas on the integral touch panel 1. The controller is capable of receiving the sensing signals corresponding to the at least two key positions 11, and the key switch is further provided with an electronic switch 52, and when the key position 11 is operated, the electronic switch 52 is actuated to send an on-off signal to the controller. In another embodiment, the present key switch may be a 3-bit, 4-bit or 5-bit switch, and the touch panel 1 has a corresponding number of multiple key bits 11.

In this embodiment, a separation mark 12 is disposed between two adjacent key positions 11 shown in fig. 1, the separation mark 12 is used for distinguishing two different key positions 11, the process manufacturing method of the separation mark 12 may have a plurality of different choices, in some examples, the separation mark 12 is a fluorescent strip or a separation line manufactured by any process such as printing, painting, laser carving, engraving, etc., the separation line may be made to protrude a little, the fluorescent strip helps to distinguish the key positions at night, but is not limited thereto, as long as the different key positions 11 can be distinguished visually or tactilely, and at the same time, the separation line or the fluorescent strip does not cause the above-mentioned integrated touch panel to be cut into a plurality of independent keys from the physical entity structure.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel 1 is provided with the touch sensing element 31 disposed corresponding to at least two key positions 11 on the side facing the main housing 2, the touch sensing element 31 is connected to the controller, and can generate the sensing signal when the corresponding key position 11 is operated, and the controller can receive the corresponding sensing signal. The key switch is also provided with a pressing part 13 which is arranged corresponding to the electronic switch 52, and when the key position 11 is operated, the pressing part 13 moves relative to the electronic switch 52 and presses the electronic switch 52 to be actuated, so as to generate an on-off signal. The controller can identify the currently operated key position 11 according to the received sensing signal and the on-off signal and generate a control signal for controlling the device or function corresponding to the currently operated key position 11.

Referring to fig. 2, there is shown an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a key switch of the present invention. The key switch further comprises a first circuit board 3, wherein the first circuit board 3 is fixedly connected to the touch panel 1 and is positioned on one side of the touch panel 1 facing the main casing 2. In some embodiments, the first circuit board 3 may be fixed to the touch panel 1 by means of double sided adhesive tape, etc. to form a key assembly, and integrally mounted on the main housing 2 to form the key switch of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the touch sensing element 31 is disposed on the first circuit board 3, and generates a sensing signal when it senses a change in capacitance. In a preferred embodiment, touch sensing is implemented in a capacitive sensing manner.

In one embodiment shown in fig. 2, the main housing 2 includes an upper housing 21, and the key assembly is integrally pivotally mounted on the upper housing 21, specifically, the touch panel 1 is rotatably mounted on the upper housing 21 within a certain angle range about a pivot shaft 4. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot axis 4 is located approximately midway along the surface of the upper housing 21. When the pivot shaft 4 is disposed at the intermediate position, the area of the touch sensing element 31 of the first circuit board 3 covers the lower half area of the touch panel 1. In other embodiments, the touch panel 1 is mounted on the upper case 21 so as to be movable with respect to the main case 2 in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel 1. That is, the touch panel 1 may be pivotally or vertically movably mounted on the main housing 2, and operating the touch panel 1 may drive the pressing portion 13 and the electronic switch 52 to move relatively and press the electronic switch to be actuated to generate the on-off signal.

In one embodiment shown in fig. 2, the main housing 2 further includes a lower housing 22 in which a second circuit board 5 is further disposed, the second circuit board 5 being located between the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22, and a controller being disposed on the second circuit board 5, the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 being assembled to form the main housing 2. The first circuit board 3 is provided with a first connector 32, the second circuit board 5 is provided with a second connector 51, and the second connector 51 is electrically connected with the first connector 32, so that an induction signal induced on the first circuit board 3 can be transmitted to a controller on the second circuit board 5. The connector may be a variety of connector means, such as pogo pins, fpc, ffc, wires, plug connectors, and the like in some embodiments.

Referring to fig. 3, a schematic structural diagram of a key switch according to another aspect of the present invention is shown. The pressing portion 13 is a protruding portion formed from the touch panel 1 or the first circuit board 3 toward one side of the main housing 2, and in this embodiment, the electronic switch 52 is provided on the second circuit board 5, and when the key position 11 is operated, that is, the touch panel 1 is operated, the pressing portion 13 moves with the touch panel 1 and toward the electronic switch 52, and the pressing portion 13 presses the electronic switch 5 to be actuated, thereby emitting an on-off signal, and transmitting to the controller. In another embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the electronic switch 52 may be disposed on the first circuit board 3, and the pressing portion 13 is disposed on the main housing 2, in this embodiment, the electronic switch 52 moves along with the touch panel 1 and faces the pressing portion 13, and the pressing portion 13 presses the electronic switch 52 to be actuated, so as to send an on-off signal, and transmit the on-off signal to the controller, where both the sensing signal and the on-off signal are transmitted from the first circuit board 3 to the controller on the second circuit board 5 through the connector. The electronic switch 52 may be any of a variety of forms, and in some embodiments, the electronic switch may be a tact switch, a travel switch, a dome, etc., so long as the electronic switch can be turned on or off to generate a signal after being pushed for a certain travel.

When a user touches any key position 11 on the touch panel 1 of the key switch, the corresponding touch sensing element 31 generates a sensing signal and transmits the sensing signal to the controller; the user continues touching and pressing the touch panel 1 for a certain stroke, and the electronic switch 52 is actuated to generate an on-off signal and send the on-off signal to the controller; when the controller receives the satisfactory sensing signal and the on-off signal, a control signal is generated for controlling the device or the function of the device connected to the key switch and corresponding to the key position 11 operated by the user.

The invention also provides a control method of the key switch, the key switch comprises a touch panel 1 and an electronic switch 52, different areas of the touch panel 1 are provided with at least two key positions 11, and the control method comprises the following steps: acquiring a sensing signal and an on-off signal, wherein the on-off signal is used for indicating that the electronic switch 52 is actuated; identifying a currently operated key bit 11 according to the sensing signal; a control signal is generated, which is a control instruction corresponding to the currently operated key bit 11. In the invention, the acquisition of the induction signal and the on-off signal can be carried out simultaneously or in sequence, and the corresponding control signal can be further generated after the induction signal and the on-off signal are received.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the signal of the electronic switch 52 and the signal of the touch sensing element 31 disposed corresponding to at least two key positions 11 are monitored simultaneously, the on-off signal generated by the electronic switch is obtained when the electronic switch 52 is operated, and the sensing signal generated by the operated key position is obtained when the touch sensing element 31 is operated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the signal of the electronic switch 52 is monitored to obtain the on-off signal generated by the electronic switch 52 when the electronic switch 52 is operated, and after the on-off signal is obtained, the signal generated by the touch sensing element 31 disposed corresponding to the at least two key bits 11 is monitored to obtain the sensing signal corresponding to the currently operated key bit 11 when the touch sensing element 31 is operated.

It should be understood that although the present disclosure has been described in terms of various embodiments, not every embodiment is provided with a separate technical solution, and this description is for clarity only, and those skilled in the art should consider the disclosure as a whole, and the technical solutions in the various embodiments may be combined appropriately to form other embodiments that will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The above list of detailed descriptions is only specific to practical examples of the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and all equivalent embodiments or modifications, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. The utility model provides a key switch, its includes controller, touch panel (1) and main casing (2), the controller set up in main casing (2), touch panel (1) are installed on main casing (2), the different regions of touch panel (1) are provided with two at least button positions (11), two at least button positions (11) are used for controlling the different function of different equipment or same equipment respectively, its characterized in that:

the touch panel (1) is of an integrated structure;

the key switch is also provided with an electronic switch (52);

the controller is capable of receiving sensing signals corresponding to the at least two key positions (11);

when the key bit (11) is operated, the electronic switch (52) is actuated to send an on-off signal to the controller.

2. The key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that a side of the touch panel (1) facing the main housing (2) is provided with touch sensing elements (31) arranged in correspondence with the at least two key positions (11), the touch sensing elements (31) being connected to the controller, which is capable of generating the sensing signal when the key position (11) corresponding thereto is operated.

3. A key switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the key switch is further provided with a pressing part (13) arranged in correspondence with the electronic switch (52), the pressing part (13) being moved relative to the electronic switch (52) and pressing the electronic switch (52) to be actuated when the key position (11) is operated.

4. A key switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the controller is capable of identifying the key bit (11) currently operated from the received sensing signal and the on-off signal and generating a control signal to control a device or function corresponding to the key bit (11).

5. The key switch according to claim 4, further comprising a first circuit board (3), wherein the first circuit board (3) is fixedly connected to the touch panel (1) and located at a side of the touch panel (1) facing the main housing (2), the touch sensing element (31) is disposed on the first circuit board (3), and the sensing signal is generated when the touch sensing element (31) senses a change in capacitance.

6. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein a second circuit board (5) is further provided in the main housing (2), and the controller is provided on the second circuit board (5).

7. The key switch according to claim 6, wherein a first connector (32) is provided on the first circuit board (3), a second connector (51) is provided on the second circuit board (5), and the first connector (32) is electrically connected to the second connector (51), so that the sensing signal sensed on the first circuit board (3) can be transmitted to the controller on the second circuit board (5).

8. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein the pressing portion (13) is a protruding portion formed from a side of the touch panel (1) or the first circuit board (3) toward the main housing (2).

9. The key switch according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic switch (52) is arranged on the second circuit board (5) or the first circuit board (3).

10. The key switch according to claim 4, wherein the touch panel (1) is pivotally mounted to the main housing (2).

11. The key switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the touch panel (1) is movable towards the main housing (2) in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel (1) upon operation of the key position (11).

12. A key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that a separation mark (12) is arranged between two adjacent key bits (11), said separation mark (12) being used for distinguishing between different key bits (11).

13. The key switch according to claim 12, wherein the separation mark (12) is a phosphor strip or a separation line made by any one of printing, painting, laser engraving, and die engraving.

14. A method for controlling a key switch, the key switch comprising a touch panel (1) and an electronic switch (52), different areas of the touch panel (1) being provided with at least two key positions (11), the method comprising:

-acquiring a sensing signal and an on-off signal for indicating that the electronic switch (52) is actuated;

identifying the currently operated key bit (11) according to the induction signal;

and generating a control signal, wherein the control signal is a control instruction corresponding to the currently operated key bit (11).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining an induction signal and an on-off signal comprises:

simultaneously monitoring signals of the electronic switch (52) and signals of touch sensing elements (31) arranged corresponding to the at least two key positions (11);

to obtain the on-off signal generated by the electronic switch (52) when the electronic switch (52) is operated; so as to acquire the sensing signal generated by the currently operated key bit (11) when the touch sensing element (31) is operated.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining an induction signal and an on-off signal comprises:

monitoring a signal of the electronic switch (52) to obtain an on-off signal generated by the electronic switch (52) when the electronic switch (52) is operated;

after the on-off signal is acquired, monitoring signals generated by touch sensing elements (31) which are arranged corresponding to the at least two key positions (11) so as to acquire the sensing signals corresponding to the currently operated key positions (11) when the touch sensing elements (31) are operated.