WO2020159411A1

WO2020159411A1 - A jig for assembling a touch sensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2020159411A1
Application number: PCT/SE2019/050083
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander KOCOVSKI
Original assignee: Flatfrog Laboratories Ab
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2019-01-31
Publication date: 2020-08-06

Abstract

The present invention is for a jig for assembling a touch sensing device. The touch sensing device has a panel that defines a touch surface and a carrier frame for mounting one or more components of the touch sensing device fixed to the periphery of the panel. The jig comprises at least one side rail releasably engageable with a periphery of the panel. The jig comprises at least one aligning tool releasably engageable with the at least one side rail and the at least one aligning tool comprises at least one coupling releasably engageable to a portion of the carrier frame. When the at least one aligning tool is engaged with the at least one side rail and the portion of the carrier frame, the portion of the carrier frame is located at a predetermined position from the at least one side rail.

Description

A jig for assembling a touch sensing device

The present invention relates to a jig for assembling a touch sensing device and in particular to mechanical solutions for assembling the touch sensing device.

In one category of touch-sensitive panels, a set of optical emitters are arranged around the periphery of a touch surface of a panel to emit light that is reflected to travel and propagate across the touch surface. A set of light detectors are also arranged around the periphery of the touch surface to receive light from the set of emitters from the touch surface. That is, a grid of intersecting light paths are created across the touch surface. An object that touches the touch surface will attenuate the light on one or more propagation paths of the light and cause a change in the light received by one or more of the detectors. The coordinates, shape or area of the object may be determined by analysing the received light at the detectors.

The shape of the panel, as well as various optical and mechanical properties of the panel affect the scattering of the light and the detected touch signals. Distortions of the mechanical properties or variations in position of the panel affects the detection process which may lead to a sub-optimal touch detection performance. The geometry and mechanical properties of the panel may affect factors such as signal-to-noise ratio, detection accuracy, resolution, the presence of artefacts etc, in the touch detection process. While prior art systems aim to improve upon these factors, such as the detection accuracy, there is often an associated compromise in terms of having to incorporate more complex and expensive opto-mechanical modifications to the touch system. This typically results in a less compact touch system, and a more complicated manufacturing process, being more expensive.

To reduce system cost, it may be desirable to minimize the number of electro- optical components. Some prior art systems rely on precise alignment of the various components of the touch sensing apparatus such as the light emitters and detectors for improved control of the performance. Such systems may however be cumbersome to reliably implement due to the small tolerances with respect to the alignment of the components. Additionally, manufacturing these systems can be complex increasing production time and cost. Accordingly, such precise alignment may be difficult to achieve in mass production.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to address the aforementioned problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is a jig for assembling a touch sensing device having a panel that defines a touch surface and a carrier frame for mounting one or more components of the touch sensing device fixed to the periphery of the panel, the jig comprising: at least one side rail releasably engageable with a periphery of the panel; and at least one aligning tool releasably engageable with the at least one side rail and the at least one aligning tool comprises at least one coupling releasably engageable to a portion of the carrier frame; wherein when the at least one aligning tool is engaged with the at least one side rail and the portion of the carrier frame, the portion of the carrier frame is located at a predetermined position from the at least one side rail.

Optionally, the at least one aligning tool is movable with respect to the at least one side rail when engaged therewith between a first position wherein the portion of the carrier frame is suspended above the panel and a second position wherein the portion of the carrier frame engages with the panel.

Optionally, the portion of the carrier frame comprises an adhesive gasket on a surface of the portion of the carrier frame facing the panel when the at least one aligning tool engages the at least one side rail and the at least one aligning tool is suspended at a height above the panel greater than the thickness of the adhesive gasket in the first position.

Optionally, the at least one side rail comprises a first rail reference surface for engaging with the periphery of the panel. Optionally, the at least one side rail comprises a second rail reference surface for engaging with a reciprocal surface of the at least one aligning tool such that movement of the at least one aligning tool with respect to the at least one side rail is limited in a direction away from the periphery of the panel.

Optionally, the at least one aligning tool comprises a first carrier reference surface and a second carrier reference surface for engaging with reciprocal surfaces of the portion of the carrier frame such that movement of the portion of the carrier frame with respect to the at least one aligning tool is limited in a direction towards the panel.

Optionally, the at least one coupling is a carrier frame slot in the at least one aligning tool and the carrier frame slot is slidably engageable with the portion of the carrier frame.

Optionally, the at least one aligning tool comprise a flexible tongue and the at least one side rail comprises a reciprocal slot for receiving the flexible tongue.

Optionally, the flexible tongue comprises a plurality of slots extending from different surfaces of the tongue.

Optionally, the at least one side rail is plurality of side rails extending around all edges of the panel.

Optionally, a first side rail is moveable with respect to a second side rail and removably engageable to the panel.

Optionally, the jig comprises at least one corner tool engageable with a first side rail and a second side rail and a first portion of the carrier frame and a second portion of the carrier frame.

Optionally, the at least one corner tool comprises a first flexible leg and a second flexible leg respectively engageable with the first portion of the carrier frame and a second portion of the carrier frame. Optionally, the aligning tool comprises a flat surface for gripping and / or positioning on a work surface.

Optionally, the at least one side rail comprises one or more pins engageable with the periphery of the panel wherein the one or more pins have a hardness less than the hardness of the panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of assembling a touch sensing device having a panel that defines a touch surface and a carrier frame for mounting one or more components of the touch sensing device fixed to the periphery of the panel comprising: engaging at least one side rail with a periphery of the panel; and attaching at least one aligning tool via a coupling releasably engageable with a portion of the carrier frame; engaging the at least one aligning tool with the at least one side rail; wherein when the at least one aligning tool is engaged with the at least one side rail and the portion of the carrier frame, the portion of the carrier frame is located at predetermined position from the at least one side rail.

Optionally the method comprises fixing the portion of the carrier frame to the panel.

Optionally the method comprises: uncoupling the at least one aligning tool from the portion of the carrier frame; disengaging the at least one aligning tool with the at least one side rail; and disengaging at least one side rail with the periphery of the panel.

Various other aspects and further embodiments are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan representation of a touch sensing device; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the touch sensing device; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a jig for assembling the touch sensing device;

Figure 4, shows a partial perspective view of part of the jig engaging the touch sensing device;

Figure 5 shows another partial perspective view of the jig engaging the touch sensing device;

Figure 6 shows a close-up perspective view of a corner tool of the jig;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the jig engaging the touch sensing device;

Figures 8 to 1 1 show cross-sectional side views of the jig during assembly of the touch sensing device; and

Figure 12 shows a schematic plan view of the jig being removed from the touch sensing device after assembly of the touch sensing device.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be presented for a specific example of a touch sensing device 100. Throughout the description, the same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding elements.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a touch sensing device 100 comprising a light transmissive panel 102 that defines a touch surface 104. In some embodiments the light transmissive panel 102 is located above a display (not shown) and permits light generated by the display to propagate therethrough. In some embodiments, the light transmissive panel 102 is glass, but in other embodiments can be other suitable light transmissive materials.

However, in other embodiments the light transmissive panel 102 can comprise light blocking material and does not permit the transmission of light therethrough. For example, the touch sensing device 100, can be a trackpad or another touch interface which is remote from the display unit. Hereinafter the term“panel” 102 will be used to describe either a light transmissive panel 102 or a solid, opaque panel 102. A plurality of light emitters 106 and detectors 108 are arranged along a periphery 204 of the panel 102. For the purposes of clarity, only one light emitter 106 and one light detector 108 has been labelled in Figure 1 .

The light emitters 106 are arranged to emit a respective light beam 1 10 above the touch surface 104. This is represented schematically by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

The light beam 1 10 from each of the light emitters 106 will propagate above the panel 102 to a number of different light detectors 108 on a plurality of light paths D. In the illustrated example, the touch sensing device 100 also includes a controller 120 which is connected to selectively control the activation of the light emitters 106 and, possibly, the readout of data from the light detectors 108. Depending on implementation, the light emitters 106 and/or the light detectors 108 may be activated in sequence or concurrently. A signal processor 130 can process the data from the light detectors 108. The signal processor 130 and the controller 120 may be configured as separate units, or they may be incorporated in a single unit. One or both of the signal processor 130 and the controller 120 may be at least partially implemented by software executed by a processing unit 140.

The touch sensing device 100 will also be described in reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a schematic partial cross section of the touch sensing device 100. The touch surface 104 extends along a plane P and has a normal axis N directed towards a user performing touch operations on the touch surface 104. The emitted light beam 1 10 travels parallel with plane P and at a certain distance above the touch surface 104 in the direction of the normal axis N. This is schematically illustrated with respect to light beam 1 10.

The emitted light beam 1 10, can travel across the touch surface 104, between opposite sides thereof, without being reflected inside the panel 102. As shown in Figure 2, the light emitters 106 transmit the light beam 1 10 through the panel 102 and a reflective component 206 guides the light beam 1 10 above the touch surface 104. Optionally, the light beam 1 10 can be guided around the panel 102 rather than transmitted through the panel 102. The light beam 110 can be guided around the panel 102 with additional reflective components (not shown). Although not shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the reflective component 206 is mounted on the carrier frame 200 or a housing (not shown) of the touch sensing device 100. Examples of such‘above surface optical touch systems’ are found in e.g. PCT/SE2017/051233 and PCT/EP2018/052757.

In some alternative embodiments, the emitted light beam 110 is arranged to be transmitted within the panel 102. The light propagates by total internal reflection (TIR) inside the panel 102 such that a touching object causes the propagating light beams 1 10 on one or more propagation paths D to be attenuated by so- called frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). Hence, this type of touch sensing device 100 is an FTIR-based projection-type touch system. Examples of such touch systems are found in US3673327, US4254333, US6972753, US2004/0252091 , US2006/01 14237, US2007/0075648, W02009/048365, US2009/0153519, US2017/0344185, WO2010/006882, WO20 10/064983, and WO2010/134865.

For the purposes of brevity, the embodiments discussed hereinafter refer to the plurality of light emitters 106 and detectors 108 being arranged below the touch surface 104 as shown in Figure 2. However, in some embodiments there is an arrangement where the plurality of light emitters 106 and detectors 108 are mounted above the touch surface 104.

The light detectors 108 are arranged to detect the light beams 1 10 from the light emitters 106. Turning to Figure 2 this will be described in more detail. Figure 2 shows the light emitters 106 and the light detectors 108 as the same element for the purposes of clarity. The plurality of light emitters 106 and light detectors 108 are mounted to a substrate 202. In some embodiments, the substrate 202 is elongated and extends in a longitudinal direction around the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The substrate 202 has a short-side extending in parallel with the normal axis N. The short-side of the substrate 202 is illustrated in the cross- sectional view of Figure 2. In some embodiments, the substrate 202 may extend at least partly above the touch surface 104 (not shown). In this embodiment, the plurality of light emitters 106 and light detectors 108, are connected to a portion of the substrate 202 extending above the touch surface 104. However alternatively or additionally in other embodiments, the light emitters 106 and the light detectors 108, are connected to the substrate 202 via connection elements (not shown) extending between the substrate 202 and to a position above the touch surface 104.

As shown in Figure 2, the substrate 202 is attached to a carrier frame 200. The substrate 202 is mountable in a reciprocal substrate slot 210 in the carrier frame 200. The carrier frame 200 is mounted around the periphery 204 of the panel 102, as schematically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the carrier frame 200 is fixed to the panel 102 by an adhesive gasket 208. The adhesive gasket 208 is sandwiched between the carrier frame 200 and the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The adhesive gasket 208, in some embodiments, extends along a panel facing surface 212 of the carrier frame 200 along the longitudinal length of the carrier frame 200. In other embodiments, the carrier frame 200 can be fixed to the panel 102 with any other suitable fixing or fastening such as brackets, glue etc.

Although not shown in Figures 1 or 2, the carrier frame 200 may optionally be arranged to at least partly enclose edges 1 12 of the panel 102. Alternatively, the carrier frame 200 can be connected to one or more other components (not shown) to provides increased the robustness of the touch sensing device 100. In this way, the carrier frame 200 can extend to a position (not shown) above the touch surface 104. For example, the reflective component 206 as shown in Figure 2 can be mounted to the carrier frame 200 extending above the touch surface 104.

The various components of the touch sensing device 100 such as the light emitters 106 and the light detectors 108 can require small tolerances with respect to the alignment of the components. Such precise alignment may be difficult to achieve quickly and cost effectively in mass production. Turning to Figure 3, a jig 300 for assembling the touch sensing device 100 will be discussed in further detail to reduce the complexity in precisely aligning the components on the touch sensing device 100. The jig 300 comprises at least one side rail 302, 304, 306, 308 releasably engageable with the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The jig 300 as shown in Figure 3 comprises a side rail 302, 304, 306, 308 on each side of the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The panel 102 as shown in Figure 3 is a rectangular glass panel 102 and there are four side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 engaged with four sides of the rectangular panel 102. However, in other embodiments, the panel 102 can be any other shape such as a polygonal shape or a curved shape. In embodiments where the panel 102 has a polygonal shape (e.g. triangle, hexagonal etc), the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are arranged along each side of the of the panel 102.

In some embodiments, however, there may be a single side rail 302 that engages with only one side of the periphery 204 of the panel 102. In this case, a plurality of side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 is optional. For example, the side rail 302 may be“U-shaped” to engage with a plurality of sides of the panel 102. Alternatively, the carrier frame 200 may only be mounted to the panel 102 along one side of the panel 102, in which case, only one side rail 302 is used.

In order for to provide a more stable assembly of the touch sensing device 100, optionally one or more of the side rails 302, 304 are fixed to a work surface or other suitable surface such as a work bench (not shown). The fixed side rails 302, 304 can be screwed, bolted, clamped, taped or glued to the work surface. Indeed, any suitable means for fixing the fixed side rails 302, 304 to the work surface can be used.

The panel 102 is configured to slide and abut the fixed side rails 302, 304. The arrangement as shown in Figure 3 comprises two fixed side rails 302, 304, and two moveable side rails 306, 308. The moveable side rails 306, 308 are moveable away from the panel 102 indicated by the direction as shown by the arrows in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the moveable side rails 306, 308 can rotate, slide in any direction with respect to the panel 102 when engaging against the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The moveable side rails 306, 308 are releasably engageable with the panel 102. In this way the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 can engage each side of the panel 102. In other embodiments, each all the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are moveable with respect to the panel 102 and are not fixed to a work surface. Alternatively, three of the side rails 302, 304, 306 are fixed in place to the work surface and a single moveable side rail 308 is releasably engageable.

The side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are constructed from a stiff material that limits flexing with respect to the panel 102. In this way, the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 do not move with respect to the panel 102 during assembly of the touch sensing device 100. In some embodiments, the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are constructed from a metal material such as steel or aluminium. In other embodiments the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are constructed from a plastic material, bakelite material or polyoxymethylene (POM).

Once the panel 102 engages the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308, the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 do not move relative to the panel 102. This means that the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 provide one or more reference surface with a known position for aligning and fixing components to the panel 102.

In some embodiments, the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 optionally comprise one or more pins (not shown) engageable with the periphery 204 of the panel 102. In some embodiments, the pins have a hardness less than the hardness of the panel 102. In some embodiments, the pins are made from a plastic material and the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 are made from metal. This means that the pins protect the panel 102 from being scratched or damaged by the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 of the jig 300. The pins are located along a first rail reference surface 400 as shown in Figure 4. The first rail reference surface 400 will be discussed in further detail with respect to Figure 4 below.

T urning back to Figure 3, the jig 300 further comprises at least one aligning tool 310 which is releasably engageable with the at least one side rail 302, 304, 306, 308. The aligning tool 310 as shown in Figure 3 is in engagement with a first side rail 304. Indeed, there are four identical aligning tools 310 engaged to the first side rail 304 shown in Figure 3. This means that the entire length of a first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 can be positioned with respect to the panel 102 and the first side rail 304.

In some embodiments, the four identical aligning tools 310 can be replaced with a single aligning tool 310 that extends along the entire length of the side rail 302, 304, 306, 308. Indeed, the aligning tool 310 can be any suitable length. For the purposes of clarity, only one of the aligning tools 310 has been labelled in Figure 3. Furthermore, one or more aligning tools 310 can be engaged with each of the other side rails 302, 306, 308. However, the aligning tools 310 have not been shown engaged to the other side rails 302, 306, 308, again, for the purposes of clarity.

As shown in Figure 3, the aligning tools 310 are distributed along the first side rail 304 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 at a distance of 0mm to 500mm.

Whilst the Figures show only part of the jig 300, in some embodiments, the complete jig 300 comprises a plurality of side rails 302, 304, 306, 308, a plurality of aligning tools 310 and a plurality of portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of the carrier frame 200. Accordingly, the features described hereinafter relating to the engagement of a single side rail 304, a single aligning tool 310 and a single portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 are applicable to all the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308, aligning tools 310, and portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of the carrier frame 200.

The aligning tool 310 comprises at least one coupling 312 releasably engageable to a first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. In some embodiments, the coupling 312 is a carrier frame slot 312 for releasably coupling to a first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. In some embodiments, the coupling 312 can be any other suitable connection for releasably engaging with the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. For example, the coupling 312 can be a threaded nut and bolt, a clip, clamp, a snap-fit arrangement, a peg and hole arrangement or other similar coupling means. As mentioned previously, the carrier frame 200 extends around the periphery 204 of the panel 102. Separate portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of the carrier frame 200 extend along the periphery 204 of each side of the panel 102 as shown in Figure 2.

When the aligning tool 310 is engaged with the first side rail 304 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200, the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is located at a predetermined position from the first side rail 304. For example, the portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of carrier frame 200 are positioned at a predetermined distance inset away from the edge 1 12 of the panel 102. The ends of the portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of carrier frame 200 are positioned at a predetermined distance between two edges 1 12 of the panel 102. In this way, the carrier frame 200 can be precisely aligned before fixing to the panel 102. Accordingly, the components such as the light emitters 106 and the light detectors 108 can be positioned on the panel 102 within required manufacturing tolerances. This permits use of the adhesive gasket 208 for quick and reliable assembly of the touch sensing device 100 without resulting in incorrectly installed components.

In some embodiments, the aligning tool 310 is 3D printed.

The first side rail 304 will now be described in further detail with respect to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of part of the jig 300 engaging the touch sensing device 100 in the dotted box labelled A in Figure 3. Figure 4 only shows a section of the first side rail 304 along one side of the jig 300. The first side rail 304 extends in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 4.

The first side rail 304 comprises a first rail reference surface 400 for engaging with the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The edge 1 12 of the panel 102 engages the first side rail 304 at a first rail reference surface 400 within a reciprocal panel recess 402. The reciprocal panel recess 402 and first rail reference surface 400 extend along the longitudinal axis X-X of the first side rail 304. In this way, when the edge 1 12 of the panel 102 engages the first rail reference surface 400, the first side rail 304 is precisely aligned with respect to the panel 102. The first side rail 304 cannot move in a direction towards and parallel with the plane P of the panel 102.

The reciprocal panel recess 402 comprises a shoulder 404 which projects over the touch surface 104 of the touch panel 102. The panel 102 comprises light blocking material 406 along the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The light blocking material 406 in some embodiments is a light blocking tape 406. The shoulder 404 helps align the panel 102 against the first rail reference surface 400 when the panel 102 is positioned against the first side rail 304. The reciprocal panel recess 402 optionally comprises a small longitudinal notch 412.

The first side rail 304 also comprises a second rail reference surface 408 for engaging with a reciprocal aligning tool surface 702 (as shown in Figure 7) of the aligning tool 310. This means that movement of the aligning tool 310 with respect to the first side rail 304 is limited in a direction towards or away from the periphery 204 of the panel 102 and parallel to the plane P. A rail slot 410 comprises the second rail reference surface 408 and the rail slot 410 also extends along the longitudinal axis X-X of the first side rail 304. The rail slot 410 is configured to receive a flexible tongue 700 of the aligning tool 310 and allows the aligning tool 310 to slide along the length of the rail slot 410. Accordingly, the aligning tool 310 is slidably engageable with the first side rail 304.

The engagement of the first side rail 304 and the aligning tool 310 will be discussed in further detail with respect to Figures 7 to 10 below.

Figure 5 shows another partial perspective view of the jig 300 engaging the touch sensing device 100. Figure 5 is a close-up of the jig 300 as shown in dotted rectangle B in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a corner 500 of the jig 300. The first side rail 304 is fixed to the work surface via a screw fastening 502. The first side rail 304 can comprises a plurality of screw fastenings along then longitudinal length of the first side rail 304. The second side rail 306 is moveable with respect to the first side rail 304. The second side rail 306 is clamped against the edge 1 12 of the panel 102 with a releasable clamp 504. The releasable clamp 504 is fixed to the work surface and comprises a clamp handle 506 for selectively urging a clamping element 508 between a clamping position and a release position. The releasable clamp 504 can be screwed, bolted, clamped, taped or glued to the work surface. Figure 5 shows the releasable clamp 504 in the clamping position wherein the clamping element 508 engages the second side rail 306 and urges the second side rail 306 against the edge 1 12 of the panel 102. In the release position, the clamping element 508 is retracted away from the second side rail 306 and the second side rail 306 is moveable with respect to the panel 102 and the first side rail 304. In some embodiments there are a plurality of the clamps 504 positioned along the length of the second side rail 306 for preventing the second side rail 306 from moving with respect to the panel 102.

The other moveable side rail 308 as shown in Figure 3 also has a plurality of releasable clamps 504 for securing the moveable side rail 308 against the panel 102.

Figure 5 shows the aligning tool 310 engaged with the second side rail 306 in the rail slot 410 of the second side rail 306. An optional corner tool 510 is also shown engaged with the rail slots 410 of the first side rail 304 and the second side rail 306. The corner tool 510 is arranged to align the first side rail 304 and the second side rail 306 and the carrier frame 200 during assembly of the touch sensing device 100.

The corner tool 510 comprises a first fin 512 and a second fin 514 for respectively engaging with the rail slots 410 of the first side rail 304 and the second side rail 306. The corner tool 510 further comprises a first flexible leg 516 and a second flexible leg 518 for engaging the ends 600, 602 (as shown in Figure 6) of the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200. The carrier frame 200 is not shown in Figure 5 for the purposes of clarity. The first fin 512 and the second fin 514 are positioned in planes at 90 degrees to each other. Similarly, the first flexible leg 516 and the second flexible leg 518 are also positioned in planes at 90 degrees to each other. Identical corner tools 510 are used between the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308. If the panel 102 is not rectangular in shape, then the angle between the fins 512, 514 and the flexible legs 516, 518 is varied to accommodate the particular polygonal shape of the panel 102.

Turning to Figure 6 the corner tool 510 will be described in further detail. Figure 6 shows a close-up perspective view of a corner tool 510 of the jig 300. Figure 6 shows the first flexible leg 516 and the second flexible leg 518 respectively engaging the ends 600, 602 of the first portion 314 and a second portion 316 of the carrier frame 200.

Each of side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 engage the panel 102 along the edge 1 12 with the first rail reference surfaces 400. Then at each corner 500 of the jig 300, a corner tool 510 is inserted into the rail slot 410 of the side rail 302, 304, 306, 308. The flexible legs 514, 516 of the corner tool 510 engage the ends 600, 602 of the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200. In this way, the flexible legs 514, 516 between separate corner tools 510 provide a pair of corner reference surfaces for aligning the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200 along the longitudinal axis X-X of the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308. This centres the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200 between the corner tools 510. This means that the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200 is also centred between the edges 112 of the panel 102. Accordingly, the flexible legs 514, 516 can accommodate some variation in the size of the panel 102. The corner tool 510 is optional and can be used if variation in the panel 102 is to be expected. Alternatively, the flexible legs 514, 516 can be omitted and a fixed corner reference surface (not shown) can be used to align the first and second portions 314, 316 of the carrier frame 200.

In some embodiments, the corner tool 510 is 3D printed. Referring to Figure 7, the engagement between the first side rail 304, the aligning tool 310 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 will now be discussed in further detail. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the jig 300 engaging the touch sensing device 100. Figure 7 shows the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 mounted on the panel 102.

Similar to the first side rail 304, both the aligning tool 310 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 extend in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis X-X. Figure 7 shows part of the first side rail 304, the aligning tool 310 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 extending in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis X-X.

The aligning tool 310 comprises a projecting flexible tongue 700 which protrudes into the rail slot 410 when the aligning tool 310 engages the first side rail 304. The second rail reference surface 408 in the rail slot 410 engages a reciprocal aligning tool surface 702 on the tongue 700. When the second rail reference surface 408 engages the reciprocal aligning tool surface 702, movement of the aligning tool 310 with respect to the first side rail 304 is limited. The aligning tool 310 cannot move in a direction towards or away from the periphery 204 of the panel 102. In this way, the aligning tool 310 is prevents from moving in a direction parallel with the plane P of the panel 102.

In some embodiments, the aligning tool 310 comprises a flexible tongue 700 that deforms when inserted into the rail slot 410. In some embodiments, the flexible tongue 700 comprises a first tongue slot 704, and a second tongue slot 706 extending from opposite surfaces of the flexible tongue 700. Since the first tongue slot 704 and the second tongue slot 706 extend from opposite surfaces of the flexible tongue 700, the flexible tongue 700 deforms uniformly when squeezed into the rail slot 410. Accordingly, this prevents substantial rotation of the flexible tongue 700 with respect to the first side rail 304 and the panel 102. In this way, the aligning tool 310 keeps the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane P of the panel 102. In some embodiments, the aligning tool 310 comprises a tool handle 708. The tool handle 708 allows an operator assembling the touch sensing device 100 to grip the aligning tool 310 and position it precisely with respect to the panel 102. Optionally the tool handle 708 comprises at least one flat surface 710, 712 for gripping and / or positioning on a work surface. In this way, the flat surfaces 710, 712 of the aligning tool 310 can be positioned faced down on a work surface. This means that the panel facing surface 212 of the carrier frame 200 faces upwards towards the operator. Accordingly, the operator can mount the adhesive gasket 208 to the panel facing surface 212 and / or remove a protective film layer from the adhesive surface of the adhesive gasket 208 before mounting the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 on the panel 102. In some embodiments, the flat surface 710, 712 can alternatively be a continuous flat surface (1 100 as shown in Figure 1 1 ) rather than two separate surfaces 710, 712 as shown in Figure 7.

The aligning tool 310 comprises a first carrier reference surface 714 and a second carrier reference surface 716 for engaging with reciprocal slot surfaces 718, 720 of the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. This means that movement of the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 with respect to the aligning tool 310 is limited in a direction towards the panel 102. As such, the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 cannot move in a direction parallel to the normal N or in a direction away from the edge 1 12 of the panel 102 parallel with the plane P. A plurality of carrier reference surfaces can be provided to further limit the relative movement of the aligning tool 310 with respect to the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. Indeed, in some embodiments, the aligning tool 310 comprises a carrier frame slot 312 for receiving part of the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200. The carrier frame 200 is slidably engageable with the aligning tool 310. Accordingly, the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 can move with respect to the aligning tool 310 in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the aligning tool 310 e.g. parallel with the axis X-X.

Reference will now be made to Figures 8 to 1 1 which show cross-sectional side views of the jig 300 during assembly of the touch sensing device 100. Turning to Figure 8, the aligning tool 310 can freely slide with respect to the rail slot 410 of the first side rail 304 when the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is not mounted in the carrier frame slot 312. As shown in Figure 8, the first side rail 304 engages the periphery 204 of the panel 102.

The aligning tool 310 is attached a first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 as shown in Figure 9. The aligning tool 310 is also engaged with the first side rail 304. In contrast to Figure 8, when the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is engaged with the aligning tool 310, the flexible tongue 700 is squeezed by the rail slot 410. The first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 comprises a projecting foot 900 which engages an exterior side rail reference surface 902. Since the projecting foot 900 engages the exterior side rail reference surface 902, the aligning tool 310 is rotated slightly with respect to the first side rail 304. A first lip 904 and a second lip 906 of the rail slot 410 engage with a first exterior surface 908 and a second exterior surface 910 of the flexible tongue 700. This means that the first and second lips 904, 906 increase the friction between the rail slot 410 and the aligning tool 310. This means that the aligning tool 310 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is in a first position wherein the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is suspended above the panel 102.

In some embodiments, the aligning tool 310 is suspended in the first position at a height H above the panel 102 which is greater than the thickness of the adhesive gasket 208. This means that the aligning tool 310 and the carrier frame 200 can be moved with respect to the panel 102 before the adhesive touches the panel 102. This allows for fine adjustments in the position of the carrier frame 200 with respect to the panel 102 before the carrier frame 200 and the adhesive gasket 208 is pressed onto the panel 102. Since the projecting foot 900 is urging the aligning tool 310 towards the first side rail 304, the aligning tool 310 will remain in the first position until the operator pushes the aligning tool 310 down towards the panel 102. When the operator pushes the aligning tool 310 down, the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is fixed to the panel 102 when the adhesive cures. Accordingly, when the aligning tool 310 is engaged with the at first side rail 304 and the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200, the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 is located at predetermined position from the first side rail 304. This means that the carrier frame 200 can be positioned on the panel 102 with a high degree of certainty.

The aligning tool 310 is movable with respect to the first side rail 304 when engaged therewith between the first position and a second position wherein the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 engages with the panel 102. The movement of the aligning tool 310 with respect to the first side rail 304 between the first and second positions is in a direction parallel with the normal axis N. Figure 10 shows the first portion 314 of the carrier frame 200 mounted on the panel 102 whereby the aligning tool 310 has been pushed into the second position. The operator may have to maintain pressure of the aligning tool 310 against the panel 102 whilst the adhesive cures. Alternatively, the operator may need to leave the aligning tool 310 in the second position without pushing the aligning tool 310 against the panel 102 whilst the adhesive cures.

Figure 1 1 shows another embodiment of the aligning tool 1 102. The aligning tool 1 102 is the same as the aligning tool 310 as discussed with respect to the previous embodiments, except that the tool handle 1104 comprises a unitary flat surface 1 100.

Turning to Figure 12, the removal of the jig 300 will now be discussed. Figure 12 shows a schematic plan view of the jig 300 being removed from the touch sensing device 100 after assembly thereof.

The corner tools 510 have been removed from the side rails 302, 304, 306, 308 and are not shown in Figure 12 for the purposes of clarity. Once the corner tools 510 have been removed, the aligning tool 310 is uncoupled from the second portion 316 of the carrier frame 200. As shown in Figure 12, the aligning tool 310 is slid off the second portion 316 of the carrier frame 200 in the direction shown by the arrow. Each aligning tool 310 is slid off the respective portions 314, 316, 318, 320 of the carrier frame 200 in a similar way. As the aligning tool 310 is slid off the second portion 316 of the carrier frame 200, the aligning tool 310 is disengaged from the second side rail 306. The aligning tool 310 is also slid out of the rail slot 410 of the second side rail 306. Once the aligning tool 310 has been removed, the second side rail 306 is disengaged with the periphery 204 of the panel 102. The clamps 504 are released and the moveable side rails 306, 308 are removed. The panel 102 can then be removed from the jig with the carrier frame 200 precisely installed on the panel 102.

In another embodiment two or more embodiments are combined. Features of one embodiment can be combined with features of other embodiments. Embodiments of the present invention have been discussed with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A jig for assembling a touch sensing device having a panel that defines a touch surface and a carrier frame for mounting one or more components of the touch sensing device fixed to the periphery of the panel, the jig comprising: at least one side rail releasably engageable with a periphery of the panel; and

at least one aligning tool releasably engageable with the at least one side rail and the at least one aligning tool comprises at least one coupling releasably engageable to a portion of the carrier frame;

wherein when the at least one aligning tool is engaged with the at least one side rail and the portion of the carrier frame, the portion of the carrier frame is located at a predetermined position from the at least one side rail.

2. A jig according to claim 1 wherein the at least one aligning tool is movable with respect to the at least one side rail when engaged therewith between a first position wherein the portion of the carrier frame is suspended above the panel and a second position wherein the portion of the carrier frame engages with the panel.

3. A jig according to claim 2 wherein the portion of the carrier frame comprises an adhesive gasket on a surface of the portion of the carrier frame facing the panel when the at least one aligning tool engages the at least one side rail and the at least one aligning tool is suspended at a height above the panel greater than the thickness of the adhesive gasket in the first position.

4. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one side rail comprises a first rail reference surface for engaging with the periphery of the panel.

5. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one side rail comprises a second rail reference surface for engaging with a reciprocal surface of the at least one aligning tool such that movement of the at least one aligning tool with respect to the at least one side rail is limited in a direction away from the periphery of the panel.

6. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one aligning tool comprises a first carrier reference surface and a second carrier reference surface for engaging with reciprocal surfaces of the portion of the carrier frame such that movement of the portion of the carrier frame with respect to the at least one aligning tool is limited in a direction towards the panel.

7. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one coupling is a carrier frame slot in the at least one aligning tool and the carrier frame slot is slidably engageable with the portion of the carrier frame.

8. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one aligning tool comprise a flexible tongue and the at least one side rail comprises a reciprocal slot for receiving the flexible tongue.

9. A jig according to claim 8 wherein the flexible tongue comprises a plurality of slots extending from different surfaces of the tongue.

10. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one side rail is plurality of side rails extending around all edges of the panel.

1 1 . A jig according to claim 10 wherein a first side rail is moveable with respect to a second side rail and removably engageable to the panel.

12. A jig according to claims 10 or 1 1 wherein the jig comprises at least one corner tool engageable with a first side rail and a second side rail and a first portion of the carrier frame and a second portion of the carrier frame.

13. Ajig according to claim 12 wherein the at least one corner tool comprises a first flexible leg and a second flexible leg respectively engageable with the first portion of the carrier frame and a second portion of the carrier frame.

14. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the aligning tool comprises a flat surface for gripping and / or positioning on a work surface.

15. A jig according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one side rail comprises one or more pins engageable with the periphery of the panel wherein the one or more pins have a hardness less than the hardness of the panel.

16. A method of assembling a touch sensing device having a panel that defines a touch surface and a carrier frame for mounting one or more components of the touch sensing device fixed to the periphery of the panel comprising:

engaging at least one side rail with a periphery of the panel; and attaching at least one aligning tool via a coupling releasably engageable with a portion of the carrier frame;

engaging the at least one aligning tool with the at least one side rail; wherein when the at least one aligning tool is engaged with the at least one side rail and the portion of the carrier frame, the portion of the carrier frame is located at predetermined position from the at least one side rail.

17. A method of assembling a touch sensing device according to claim 14 wherein the method comprises fixing the portion of the carrier frame to the panel.

18. A method of assembling a touch sensing device according to claim 16 wherein the method comprises:

uncoupling the at least one aligning tool from the portion of the carrier frame;

disengaging the at least one aligning tool with the at least one side rail; and

disengaging at least one side rail with the periphery of the panel.