TWI768925B - Touchpad mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A touchpad mechanism is provided, including a touchpad module, a longitudinal member movably connected to the touchpad module, and a frame for receiving the touchpad module and the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member has a bottom surface in contact with two protrusions of the frame. A switch element is disposed on the bottom side of the touchpad module, and the switch element is located between the two protrusions along a long axis of the longitudinal member. When the touchpad module is pressed by an external force, the longitudinal member is pushed by the two protrusions to trigger the switch element.

Description

touchpad mechanism

The present invention relates to a touch panel mechanism, in particular to a touch panel mechanism that can be pressed to perform a click function.

The touchpad of a notebook computer is one of the input devices for controlling the mouse or giving instructions to the computer. Therefore, various notebook computer manufacturers hope that the touchpad they design can be positioned accurately and perform clicks or actions. When pressing the touchpad, the force required for each position can be equal, so that the required pressing force at different positions on the touchpad is not too different and the pressing feedback is blurred, making it difficult to give correct commands to the computer.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, how to improve the traditional touch panel mechanism so as to make the pressure values required by the user to perform clicking actions at different positions as equal as possible has become an important challenge for researchers in this technical field.

In view of the aforementioned conventional problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a touch panel mechanism including a touch module, an elongated member, and an outer frame. The touch module has a switch element, the elongated member is movably connected to the touch module, and has a long axis and a bottom surface. The outer frame is formed with an accommodating space and two bumps, wherein the elongated member and the touch module are disposed in the accommodating space, the bumps are abutting against the bottom surface of the elongated member, and the switch element It is interposed between the bumps in the direction of the long axis. When the touch module is pressed by an external force, the elongated member is pressed by the bump to press and trigger the switch element.

In one embodiment, the touch panel mechanism further includes a support member, the support member is fixed on the touch module and has an opening, and the elongated member is movably disposed in the opening.

In one embodiment, the elongated member further has a top surface, and when the touch module is pressed by the external force, the top surface of the elongated member is pressed and the switch element is triggered.

In one embodiment, the elongated member is pivotally connected to the support member.

In one embodiment, the touch panel mechanism further includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm, wherein one end of the elongated member is bonded to the touch module through the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

In one embodiment, the elongated member further has a plurality of concave portions and a plurality of convex portions arranged in a staggered manner, and the support member further has a plurality of locking blocks and a locking groove arranged in a staggered manner, wherein the locking blocks are combined with the concave portions. inside, and the protruding portion is combined with the slot.

In one embodiment, the support member further has a plurality of flanges, which are respectively located on the bottom side of the locking groove, and the flanges are respectively abutted against the protruding portion to limit the protruding portion to a limit position.

In one embodiment, the support member further has two cantilever structures, and the outer frame further has two openings, wherein the openings are located on opposite sides of the accommodating space, and the cantilever structures extend into the openings respectively. Inside.

In one embodiment, the support member is rectangular, and the cantilever structure and the opening are located on the same side of the support member.

In one embodiment, the touch panel mechanism further includes an adhesive tape for bonding the elongated member and the touch module.

The following describes the touch panel mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. It can be readily appreciated, however, that embodiments of the invention provide many suitable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of particular ways to use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It is to be understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the context or context of this disclosure, and not in an idealized or overly formal manner Interpretation, unless specifically defined herein.

The foregoing and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as: up, down, left, right, front or rear, etc., are only for referring to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used in the embodiments are used to describe and not to limit the present invention.

First, please refer to Figures 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 together. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the touchpad mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows the touchpad mechanism 100 in Figure 1. Another exploded view from another perspective, Figure 3 shows the assembled three-dimensional view of the touch panel mechanism 100 in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line A1-A2 in Figure 3, and Figure 9 shows a view along the line A1-A2 in Figure 3. Another cross-sectional view of the line segment A1-A2 in Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, the touch panel mechanism 100 of this embodiment can be installed on a notebook computer, and mainly includes a touch module 10, a long strip member 20, A support member 30 and an outer frame 40 . In this embodiment, the outer frame 40 is formed with an accommodating space 401 for accommodating the touch module 10 , the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 .

Specifically, the aforementioned support member 30 is attached and fixed to the bottom surface of the touch module 10 , and has an elongated opening 301 for movably accommodating the aforementioned elongated member 20 ; The two ends of the shaped member 20 are respectively formed with a groove R1, which can be used to carry the pivots P1 located on both sides of the opening 301 of the support member 30, so that the elongated member 20 can be pivotally connected with the support member 30. And enable the elongated member 20 to rotate within the opening 301 of the support member 30 .

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, one end of the elongated member 20 and a part close to the top surface 201 together with the support member 30 can be bonded by a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm on the bottom surface of the touch module 10 .

After the touch module 10 , the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 are combined with each other, the cantilever structures P2 on both sides of the support member 30 can be respectively extended into and through the two sides of the accommodating space 401 of the outer frame 40 . Opening R2, at this time, the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 will abut the two bumps 41 at the bottom of the accommodating space 401, so that the touch module 10, the elongated member 20 and the support 30 can be stably positioned on the outer frame 40 within the accommodating space 401 , the assembly of the entire touch panel mechanism 100 can be completed at this point. In this embodiment, the aforementioned support member 30 has a substantially rectangular structure, and the aforementioned cantilever structure P2 and the opening 301 are located on the same side (long side) of the support member 30; in addition, as can be seen from FIG. 2, Another rib 302 is formed on the bottom surface of the support member 30 , wherein the rib 302 is located on the other side (the other long side) of the rib 302 and is used for embedding into a groove on the side of the accommodating space 401 .

On the other hand, as can be seen from Figures 2, 8, and 9, a switch element M is disposed on the bottom surface of the touch module 10; for example, the aforementioned switch element M may be a metal dome switch. ), and after the touch panel mechanism 100 is assembled, the elongated member 20 can abut and trigger the switch element M by pressing the top surface of the touch module 10 downward, which means that the user can Actions such as clicking or inputting commands are performed by pressing the touch module 10 .

It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the movable elongated member 20 is arranged in the opening 301 of the support member 30 , and the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 abuts against the two protrusions 41 on the outer frame 40 . In this way, the switch element M on the bottom surface of the touch module 10 can be triggered through the elongated member 20 as a link, and the user can also press the touch module 10 or perform a click action. At the time, the force required to be applied at different positions on the touch module 10 is approximately the same, so that the convenience and comfort of use can be effectively improved. In this embodiment, the coordinate position of the switch element M in a horizontal direction (the direction of the long axis of the elongated member 20 ) is between the two bumps 41 .

Next, please refer to Figures 1 to 7 together. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in Figures 1 and 2 before they are assembled, and Figure 5 shows the length of Figures 1 and 2. The three-dimensional view of the strip member 20 and the support member 30 after assembly, Fig. 6 shows the schematic diagram of the long strip member 20 and the support member 30 in Fig. 5 being pivoted to each other through the pivot P1 and the groove R1, Fig. 7 It is another perspective view of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in Figures 1 and 2 after being combined.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 , staggered concave portions 21 and convex portions 22 are formed on one side of the elongated member 20 , and staggered locking blocks 31 and card grooves are formed on the support member 30 . 32 , wherein the aforementioned locking block 31 corresponds to the concave portion 21 on the aforementioned elongated member 20 , and the aforementioned locking groove 32 corresponds to the aforementioned convex portion 22 on the aforementioned elongated member 20 .

It should be noted that a flange 33 (FIG. 4) is formed on the bottom side of each of the aforementioned card slots 32, wherein when the elongated member 20 and the aforementioned support member 30 are combined with each other, the flange 33 is located on the support member 30. The pivots P1 on both sides of the opening 301 are combined into the grooves R1 at both ends of the elongated member 20, so that the elongated member 20 can rotate relative to the support 30 through the pivots P1 and the grooves R1; in addition, the aforementioned The block 31 on the support 30 will be combined with the concave portion 21 on the elongated member 20, and the convex portion 22 on the elongated member 20 will be combined with the groove 32 on the support 30, wherein the above-mentioned convex portion 22 can abut and bear on the flange 33 on the bottom side of the card slot 32 (as shown in Figures 8 and 9), so that the flange 33 can block and limit the aforesaid protruding part 22 to a limit position, so as to avoid The elongated member 20 falls off the support 30 .

In this embodiment, by forming the concave portion 21 and the convex portion 22 in a zigzag arrangement on the aforementioned elongated member 20 , at the same time, a corresponding zigzag arrangement of locking blocks 31 and locking grooves are formed on the aforementioned support member 30 . 32, this can not only help the stability of positioning and actuation between the elongated member 20 and the support 30, but also prevent the elongated member 20 from falling off the support 30, so that the touch panel can be greatly improved The reliability and assembly efficiency of the mechanism 100 .

Please continue to refer to FIGS. 8 and 9. As mentioned above, a part of one end of the elongated member 20 close to the top surface 201 can be bonded to the touch module 10 together with the support member 30 through the adhesive G through the adhesive G. Therefore, when the user applies an external force to press the top surface of the touch module 10 downward, the touch module 10 and the support member 30 will sink together toward the bottom side of the accommodating space 401 of the outer frame 40 , and At this time, the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 will be pressed by the bumps 41 at the bottom of the outer frame 40, so that the elongated member 20 will rotate relative to the support 30 and press the trigger switch element M upward, thereby enabling the use of The user performs actions such as clicking or inputting commands by pressing the touch module 10 . In this embodiment, the coordinate position of the switch element M in a horizontal direction (the direction of the long axis of the elongated member 20 ) is between the two bumps 41 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 10 , wherein FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the bonding of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 through the adhesive tape T according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in another embodiment, one end of the elongated member 20 can also be directly attached to the touch module 10 through the adhesive tape T, so that the elongated member 20 can be relative to the touch The module 10 is rotated, wherein the tape T can extend from the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 to the top surface of the touch module 10 , and the top surface 201 of the elongated member 20 is not directly bonded to the touch module 10 . It should be understood that when the user applies an external force to press the top surface of the touch module 10 downward, the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 will be pressed upward by the protrusions 41 at the bottom of the outer frame 40 . By triggering the switch element M, actions such as clicking or inputting an instruction can be effectively performed through the touch module 10 . In this embodiment, the aforementioned adhesive tape T may have a Mylar material.

To sum up, the present invention provides a touch panel mechanism, wherein the movable elongated member 20 is disposed in the opening 301 of the support member 30 , and the bottom surface 202 of the elongated member 20 is abutted against the outside On the two bumps 41 of the frame 40, the elongated member 20 can be used as a link to trigger the switch element M on the bottom surface of the touch module 10, so that the user can press the touch When the module 10 performs a click action, the difference in force required at different positions on the touch module 10 is greatly reduced, so that the convenience and comfort of use can be improved. For example, the coordinate position of the switch element M in a horizontal direction (the long axis direction of the elongated member 20 ) is between the two bumps 41 .

Alternatively, in one embodiment, the elongated member 20 can also be movably connected to the touch module 10 (for example, the elongated member 20 and the touch module 10 are connected through the tape T in FIG. 10 ), and When the user presses the top surface of the touch module 10 downward, the touch module 10 and the support member 30 will sink together towards the bottom side of the accommodating space 401 of the outer frame 40 . At this time, the bottom surface of the elongated member 20 202 is pressed by the bumps 41 at the bottom of the outer frame 40 to trigger the switch element M upward, so that the touch module 10 can effectively perform actions such as clicking or inputting commands.

Although the embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been disclosed above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make changes, substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the process, machine, manufacture, material composition, device, method and steps in the specific embodiments described in the specification, and any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can learn from the present disclosure. It is understood that processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, devices, methods and steps developed in the present or in the future can be used in accordance with the present invention as long as they can perform substantially the same functions or achieve substantially the same results in the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention includes the above-mentioned process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, device, method and steps. In addition, each claimed scope constitutes a separate embodiment, and the protection scope of the present invention also includes the combination of each claimed scope and the embodiments.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, The protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the appended patent application.

100: Trackpad Mechanism

10: Touch Module

20: long strip members

201: Top Surface

202: Underside

21: Recess

22: convex part

30: Supports

301: Opening

302: Ribs

31: Card block

32: Card slot

33: Flange

40: Outer frame

401: accommodating space

41: bump

G: Adhesive

M: switch element

P1: Pivot

R1: groove

P2: Cantilever structure

R2: Opening

T: Tape

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a touch panel mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows another exploded view of the touchpad mechanism 100 in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the assembled touch panel mechanism 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in Figs. 1 and 2 before they are assembled. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in Figs. 1 and 2 after being assembled. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in FIG. 5 being pivotally connected to each other through the pivot P1 and the groove R1 . Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 in Figs. 1 and 2 after being combined. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line A1-A2 in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A2 in FIG. 3 from another perspective. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the sticking of the elongated member 20 and the support member 30 through the adhesive tape T according to another embodiment of the present invention.

100: Trackpad Mechanism

10: Touch Module

20: long strip members

21: Recess

22: convex part

30: Supports

301: Opening

31: Card block

32: Card slot

40: Outer frame

401: accommodating space

41: bump

P1: Pivot

R1: groove

P2: Cantilever structure

R2: Opening

Claims (9)

A touch panel mechanism, comprising: a touch module with a switch element; an elongated member movably connected to the touch module and having a long axis and a bottom surface; an outer frame formed with an accommodating A space and two bumps, wherein the elongated member and the touch module are arranged in the accommodating space, the bumps abut the bottom surface of the elongated member, and the switch element is in the long axis direction the upper part is interposed between the bumps; and a supporter, the supporter is fixed on the touch module and has an opening, wherein the elongated member is movably arranged in the opening; wherein, when the touch When the control module is pressed by an external force, the elongated member is pressed by the bumps to squeeze and trigger the switch element. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elongated member further has a top surface, and when the touch module is pressed by the external force, the top surface of the elongated member is pressed to trigger the switch element. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is pivotally connected to the support. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the touch panel mechanism further comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and one end of the elongated member is bonded to the touch module through the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elongated member further has a plurality of concave portions and a plurality of convex portions arranged in a staggered manner, and the support member further has a plurality of locking blocks and a plurality of card slots arranged in a staggered manner, wherein The blocks are combined in the concave parts, and the convex parts are combined in the card slots. The touch panel mechanism of claim 5, wherein the support member further has a plurality of flanges, which are respectively located on the bottom sides of the card slots, and the flanges are respectively abutted against the protruding portions, so as to limit the protruding portions in a limit position. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support further has two cantilever structures, and the outer frame is further formed with two openings, wherein the openings are located on opposite sides of the accommodating space, and the cantilevers are The structures respectively extend into the openings. The touch panel mechanism of claim 7, wherein the support member is rectangular, and the cantilever structures and the opening are located on the same side of the support member. The touch panel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the touch panel mechanism further comprises an adhesive tape for bonding the elongated member and the touch module.

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