TWM484785U - Key module and electronic device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A key module and an electronic device using the same are provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and the key module. The second body is pivoted to the first body. The key module includes a key unit, a touch pad, and a trigger. The key unit is disposed in the first body. The touch pad is disposed in the first body and located at one side of the key unit. The touch pad has a first actuation area and a second actuation area. The key unit has no a space key and a function of the space key is integrated into the first actuation area. The trigger is disposed in the first body and corresponding to the first actuation area.

Description

Key module and electronic device using the same

The present invention relates to a button module and an electronic device using the same, and in particular to a button module for integrating a space key to a touch pad and using the button The electronic device of the module.

In recent years, due to the high development of touch technology, the use of electronic products through the touch virtual operation interface has gradually replaced the habit of using electronic products through physical operation interfaces such as keyboards, buttons or mice. Therefore, electronic products with touch functions are not the mainstream of the current electronic consumer market and key projects actively developed by related manufacturers.

In response to the trend and pulsation of the electronic consumer market, notebook computers equipped with touch screens have appeared on the market. The type of notebook computer usually includes a relatively slidable body and a touch display module, wherein a physical operation interface (such as a keyboard and a touch pad) is disposed on the main body, and a touch display screen is disposed on the display module. Specifically, when the user wants to use the touch display screen as its main operation mode, the touch display module is superposed on the host and covers the physical operation interface. The notebook is very similar to a regular tablet. On the other hand, when the user wants to use the physical operation interface as its main operation mode, the touch display module can be pushed and rotated relative to the main body through the pivoting mechanism, so that the notebook computer is used from the similar tablet computer. Switch to another usage state. At this time, the physical operation interface on the main body is exposed, and the touch display module is erected on the main body and has an angle with the main body. More precisely, in this state of use, the user can not only use the notebook through the physical operation interface, but also use the virtual operation interface (touch display screen) to use the notebook. However, in order to respond to the design of this type of notebook computer, the configuration space of the touch panel of the physical operation interface is relatively sacrificed.

Moreover, in the design of the existing notebook computer, there is a gap between the touch panel and the keyboard group on the main body, which leads to the cost of the configuration space of the main body. Therefore, how to increase the installation space of the physical operation interface under the existing design to better conform to the user's operating habits or to more effectively reduce the overall volume of electronic devices such as notebook computers has become one of the urgent problems to be solved. .

The novel creation provides a button module that integrates a blank button of a button unit with a touchpad.

The novel creation provides an electronic device configured with the above-mentioned button module, which eliminates the gap between the conventional touch panel and the keyboard group.

The key module created by the present invention is suitable for an electronic device. Button module includes Button unit, trackpad, and trigger. The button unit is disposed on the first body. The touch panel is disposed on the first body and located at one side of the button unit. The touch panel has a first actuation zone and a second actuation zone. The button unit is not provided with a blank button to integrate the function of the blank button into the first actuation zone. The trigger member is disposed in the first body and corresponds to the first actuation zone.

The electronic device of the present invention comprises a first body, a second body and the above-mentioned button module, wherein the second body is pivotally connected to the first body.

Based on the above, the button module created by the present invention integrates the function of the blank button of the button unit into the first actuation area of the touch panel, and the second actuation area retains the function of the touch panel. Therefore, the electronic device using the integrated button module can eliminate the interval between the traditional touch panel and the keyboard group to effectively utilize the configuration space on the first body without changing the user's operating habits.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and understood from the following description.

1000, 1000A‧‧‧ electronic devices

1010a‧‧‧ pivot structure

1012‧‧‧ pivotal

1100, 1100a‧‧‧ first body

1101‧‧‧ upper surface

1200, 1200a‧‧‧ second body

1300‧‧‧Key Module

1310‧‧‧Key unit

1310a, 1320a‧‧‧ pressing surface

1320‧‧‧ Trackpad

1321‧‧‧First Action Area

1322‧‧‧Second Action Area

1322a‧‧‧Main action area

1322b‧‧‧Sub-action area

1330‧‧‧trigger

1340‧‧‧ Carrier

1350‧‧‧Support unit

1351‧‧‧ boards

1351a‧‧‧Support points

1352‧‧‧Reset parts

F1, F2‧‧‧ external force

P1, P2‧‧‧ points of force

D1, D2‧‧‧ distance

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of Figure 1.

4 is a top plan view of the touch panel of FIG. 3.

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , in the embodiment, the electronic device 1000 is, for example, a general notebook computer, and includes a first body 1100 , a second body 1200 , and a button module 1300 . The first body 1100 is, for example, a host of a notebook computer, and the second body 1200 is, for example, a display screen pivotally connected to the host, that is, the first body 1100 and the second body 1200 are mutually rotatable to open and Switch between the two states.

However, the electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the above aspect. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1000A of FIG. 2 is, for example, a convertible notebook, and the first body 1100a and the second body 1200a. The sliding structure 1010a can be relatively slid and rotated to switch between different operating states, such as a laptop mode, a tablet mode, or a shutdown mode. Specifically, the second body 1200a of the electronic device 1000A is, for example, a display module having a touch function, so that the user can selectively use a physical operation interface, a virtual operation interface, or the foregoing two operation interfaces, depending on the needs thereof. The electronic device 1000A is operated. On the other hand, in the embodiment not shown, the electronic device can also be a combination of a docking station and a tablet computer, which is not limited by the novel creation.

Since the electronic device 1000 and the 1000A can be configured with the button module 1300, in the following embodiments, the electronic device 1000 of FIG. 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of Figure 1. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3, button mode The group 1300 includes a button unit 1310, a touch panel 1320, and a trigger member 1330. The button unit 1310 is disposed on the first body 1100. The button unit 1310 is, for example, a keyboard group including a plurality of buttons, but is not provided with a blank button. The touch panel 1320 is disposed on the first body 1100 and located on one side of the button unit 1310. Further, the button unit 1310 is located between the touch panel 1320 and the pivoting portion 1012 of the first body 1100 and the second body 1200. . The touch panel 1320 has a first actuation zone 1321 and a second actuation zone 1322.

In this embodiment, the function of the blank key of the button unit 1320 is integrated into the first actuation area 1321 of the touch panel 1320, which is integrated into the touchpad by a blank keyboard compared to the conventional notebook computer. The setting of the 1320 can shift the position of the touch panel 1320 to the position of the blank button of the conventional button unit 1310, which can eliminate the interval between the touch panel and the button unit, and can effectively reduce the position. The overall size of the notebook. On the other hand, the second actuation zone 1320 still retains the function of the touchpad, and the relative arrangement relationship between the first actuation zone 1310 and the second actuation zone 1320 does not affect the user's operating habits.

4 is a top plan view of the touch panel of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the embodiment, the first actuation zone 1321 is, for example, a pressing zone corresponding to the function of the blank key, and the second actuation zone 1322 is, for example, a pressing zone corresponding to the function of the touchpad. On the other hand, the second actuation zone 1322 can be divided into a main actuation zone 1322a and a sub-action zone 1322b. The main actuation zone 1322a is, for example, a pressing zone corresponding to the selection function of the left mouse button, and the sub-action zone 1322b corresponds to, for example, The pressure area displayed by the drop-down menu of the right mouse button. That is, when the user presses on the finger through his finger or assistive tool When different areas of the control board 1320 are used, the electronic device 1000 reacts according to the function corresponding to the pressing area.

On the other hand, the occupation area of the second actuation area 1322 on the touch panel 1320 is larger than the occupation area of the first actuation area 1321 on the touch panel 1320, and the occupation area of the main actuation area 1322a on the touch panel 1320 is larger than that of the sub-operation area 1322. The footprint of the active area 1322b on the touchpad 1320. That is to say, the novel creation can further integrate the function of the blank key into the touchpad without changing the user's habit of operating the blank key and the touchpad.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 , in the embodiment, the triggering member 1330 is disposed in the first body 1100 and corresponds to the first actuation zone 1321 , wherein the triggering component 1330 is, for example, a metal dome or a rubber circle. Top dome (rubber dome). On the other hand, the button module 1300 further includes a carrier 1340 and a supporting unit 1350 disposed in the first body 1100. The supporting unit 1350 includes a plate 1351 and a reset member 1352. The touch panel 1320 is stacked on the carrier 1340, and the trigger member 1330 is disposed at one end of the touch panel 1320 protruding from the carrier 1340.

On the other hand, the carrier 1340 bears against one end of the plate member 1351, wherein the plate member 1351 has a support point 1351a. The resetting member 1352 connected between the first body 1100 and the plate member 1351 is, for example, a tension spring which is substantially directly above the support point 1351a, and drives the plate member 1351 to support the touch panel 1320 and the bearing by utilizing the elastic force thereof. Piece 1340. The triggering member 1330 is located on a side close to the pivoting portion 1012 of the first body 1100 and the second body 1200, and the supporting point 1351a is located on the other side away from the pivoting portion 1012.

In other words, the first actuation zone 1321 is located on a side adjacent to the pivotal junction 1012 and the second actuation zone 1322 is located on a side remote from the pivotal junction 1012. In terms of the principle of the lever, the pressing displacement stroke at the distal end of the support point 1351a is large, and the pressing displacement stroke at the proximal end of the support point 1351a is small, so when the user presses the first actuation zone 1321, the touchpad 1320 A larger displacement stroke is generated with respect to the rotation of the support point 1351a, and when the user presses the second actuation zone 1322, the touchpad 1320 also rotates relative to the support point 1351a but produces a small pressing stroke, which is smaller than in the past. The user's habit of operating the blank keys and the touchpad does not affect.

For example, when the user applies an external force F1 to a region closer to the support point 1351a, such as the sub-actuation region 1322b, the distance between the applied point P1 and the support point is D1, and when the user applies the external force F2 is farther away. When the region of the support point 1351a is, for example, the first actuation zone 1321, the distance between the application point P2 and the support point is D1. In order to resist the elastic force of the resetting member 1352 to rotate the touch panel 1320 relative to the support point 1351a, and the trigger member 1330 abuts the switch (not shown) of the circuit board in the first body 100 to generate a corresponding control signal, As far as the principle of the lever is concerned, the external force F1 of the user pressing the point of application P1 needs to be greater than the external force F2 of the user pressing the point of application P2 to achieve the above-mentioned effect. The manner of applying the above force is in accordance with the user's habit of using an electronic device such as a current notebook computer or a convertible notebook computer, so even if the function of the blank key is integrated into the first actuation area 1321 of the touch panel 1320. The position of the first actuation zone 1321 and the second actuation zone 1322 also conforms to the original blank key and the manner in which the touchpad is disposed, so that the user's operating habits are not affected.

On the other hand, the button unit 1310, the touchpad 1320 and the first body In the relative arrangement relationship between the 1200, the pressing surface 1310a of the button unit 1310 and the pressing surface 1320a of the touch panel 1320 are slightly lower than the upper surface 1101 of the first body 1100, and the pressing surface 1310a of the button unit 1310 and the touch panel The pressing faces 1320a of 1320 are substantially coplanar. Therefore, without looking directly at the first body 1100, the user can sense the height difference between the touch panel 1320 and the first body 1100 by virtue of the touch, thereby easily moving the finger or the auxiliary tool to the touch. The area of the control board 1320 is located. In the embodiment, the pressing surface 1310a of the button unit 1310 and the pressing surface 1320a of the touch panel 1320 are slightly higher than the upper surface 1101 of the first body 1100. In this configuration, the user can also rely on the touch. It is easy to move its finger or auxiliary tool into the area where the touchpad 1320 is located.

In summary, the button module created by the present invention integrates the function of the blank button of the button unit into the first actuation area of the touch panel, and the second actuation area retains the function of the touch panel. Therefore, the electronic device using the integrated button module can eliminate the interval between the traditional touch panel and the keyboard group to effectively utilize the configuration space on the first body without changing the user's operating habits. On the other hand, since the support point and the trigger member are located on opposite sides of the touch panel, and the distances of the different actuation regions from the support point are different, the external force pressed by the user on the touch panel may be away from the support point. Gradually reduce, and the way of applying this force does not affect the user's operating habits.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the novel creation, and any person skilled in the art can make some changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel creation. Retouching, so this new The scope of protection for type creation is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

1100‧‧‧First body

1101‧‧‧ upper surface

1310‧‧‧Key unit

1310a, 1320a‧‧‧ pressing surface

1320‧‧‧ Trackpad

1321‧‧‧First Action Area

1322‧‧‧Second Action Area

1322a‧‧‧Main action area

1322b‧‧‧Sub-action area

1330‧‧‧trigger

1340‧‧‧ Carrier

1350‧‧‧Support unit

1351‧‧‧ boards

1351a‧‧‧Support points

1352‧‧‧Reset parts

F1, F2‧‧‧ external force

P1, P2‧‧‧ points of force

D1, D2‧‧‧ distance

Claims (12)

A button module is applicable to an electronic device. The button module includes: a button unit disposed on a first body of the electronic device; and a touch panel disposed on the first body and located at the button unit a touch panel having a first actuation zone and a second actuation zone, the button unit is not provided with a blank key to integrate the function of the blank key into the first actuation zone; and a trigger component is disposed on the side The first body corresponds to the first actuation zone. The button module of claim 1, further comprising: a carrier disposed in the first body, wherein the touchpad is stacked on the carrier; and a support unit disposed on the In the first body, the support unit comprises: a plate member, the carrier member bears against one end of the plate member, wherein the plate member has a support point; and a reset member connected to the first body member between. The button module of claim 2, wherein the trigger member and the support point are located on opposite sides of the carrier. The button module of claim 1, wherein the second actuation zone is divided into a main actuation zone and a sub-action zone, and the main actuation zone occupies a larger area on the touchpad than the sub-action zone. The area occupied on the touchpad. The button module of claim 1, wherein the area occupied by the second actuation area on the touch panel is greater than the area occupied by the first actuation area on the touch panel. The button module of claim 1, wherein the trigger member is a metal dome or a rubber dome. An electronic device comprising: a first body; a second body pivotally connected to the first body; and a button module comprising: a button unit disposed on the first body; a touch panel disposed in the The first body is located at one side of the button unit, and the touch panel has a first actuation area and a second actuation area, and the button unit is not provided with a blank key to integrate the function of the blank key into the first An actuation zone; and a triggering member disposed in the first body and corresponding to the first actuation zone. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the button module further comprises: a carrier disposed in the first body, and the touchpad is stacked on the carrier; and a supporting unit The support unit is disposed in the first body, the support unit includes: a plate member, the carrier member bears against one end of the plate member, wherein the plate member has a support point; and a reset member coupled to the first body Between the plates. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the trigger member is located on a side close to a pivotal connection between the first body and the second body, the support point is located Keep away from the other side of the pivot. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the second actuation zone is divided into a main actuation zone and a sub-action zone, and the occupation area of the main actuation zone on the touchpad is greater than the sub-action zone. The footprint on the touchpad. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the occupied area of the second active area on the touch panel is larger than the occupied area of the first active area on the touch panel. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the trigger member is a metal dome or a rubber dome.