KR100971627B1 - Touch sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch sensing device for preventing a touch non-sensing phenomenon is disclosed. According to an aspect of the invention, the panel is provided with a key input unit; A printed circuit board disposed spaced apart from the panel by a predetermined interval; A sensor circuit installed on the printed circuit board and configured to sense a capacitance signal according to a touch on the key input unit; A conductive bar which contacts the key input unit or the printed circuit board and transmits the capacitance signal; And a conductive elastic body having one side coupled to the conductive bar and the other side contacting the key input unit or the other of the printed circuit board and transmitting the capacitive signal. According to this, reliability of the touch bar can be prevented by eliminating contact failure of the conductive bar positioned between the panel and the printed circuit board regardless of the distance between the panel and the printed circuit board, the size of the conductive bar, and the like.

Touch, sensing, capacitive, conductive

Description

Touch sensing device {Apparatus for sensing touch}

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device, and more particularly, to a touch sensing device for preventing a touch insensitivity phenomenon.

Recently, a touch input device using a device for sensing a touch, such as a touch sensor, has been developed as an input means for controlling the operation of many electric / electronic devices.

In principle, the touch sensing device is a device that recognizes the touch itself, and the touch input device performs a touch sensing and outputs a sensed touch as a signal, which is used as an input means, but is actually used without any significant distinction.

On the other hand, there are various methods of using touch sensing, but when an electrode is installed at a contact where a touch is actually made, and the touch is touched by a finger, the sensing unit detects a change in capacitance and transmits it as a signal to a microprocessor or a microcomputer. Methods and the like are widely used.

This conventional touch sensing method has an advantage that there is no concern of mechanical wear because it is easy to input and does not include mechanical operation as compared to the input method by pressing a conventional mechanical button.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensing apparatus that performs the above-described touch sensing method.

Referring to FIG. 1, the panel 10 made of an insulator is provided with a key input unit 12 in which letters, numbers, or symbols made of various designs are displayed to inform a user of the position and function of a touch switch. The sensor circuit 22 is installed or formed on the printed circuit board 20 spaced apart from the panel 10 by a predetermined distance. The conductive bar 30 is positioned between the key input unit 12 and the printed circuit board 20, and transmits a capacitance signal that changes according to the touch on the key input unit 12 to the sensor circuit 22. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a conductive path is formed between the conductive bar 30, the printed circuit board 20, and the sensor circuit 22, so that the capacitive signal may be transmitted.

Here, the conductive rod 30 is an injection molding produced through a general process and may not be the same in size due to problems in the manufacturing process. In addition, as the touch sensing device is used for a long time, deformation of the shape of the panel 10 may occur. In this case, there may be a problem in that the conductive bar 30 may not properly transmit the capacitive signal due to the touch on the key input unit 12 to the sensor circuit 22 due to a poor contact that is not in close contact with the panel 10.

Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the poor contact of the conductive bar positioned between the panel and the printed circuit board regardless of the distance between the panel and the printed circuit board, the size of the conductive bar, and prevents the touchless sensing phenomenon, thereby improving reliability. Provide a sensing device.

In addition, the present invention provides a touch sensing device that can increase the luminous efficiency by preventing the light of the lighting means from being diffused in the surroundings in emitting the key input unit provided in the panel using the lighting means.

According to an aspect of the invention, the panel is provided with a key input unit; A printed circuit board disposed spaced apart from the panel by a predetermined interval; A sensor circuit installed on the printed circuit board and configured to sense a capacitance signal according to a touch on the key input unit; A conductive bar which contacts the key input unit or the printed circuit board and transmits the capacitance signal; And a conductive elastic body having one side coupled to the conductive bar and the other side contacting the key input unit or the other of the printed circuit board and transmitting the capacitive signal.

It is installed on the printed circuit board at a position corresponding to the key input unit, and further comprises a lighting means for emitting light to the key input unit, the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body through holes are formed therein the lighting means Light from can pass through.

Here, a reflective material may be coated or coated on the inner wall of the through hole of the conductive bar.

In addition, a reflective material may be coated or coated on the inner wall of the through-hole of the conductive elastic body.

The inner wall of the through hole of the conductive bar may have a light shielding structure that emits light only to a predetermined region.

The conductive elastic body may have a conductive filler dispersed in an elastic body or the conductive filler may be coated or coated on the surface of the elastic body.

A first shape of which the inside is relatively convex than the outside is formed on one side of the conductive bar, and a second shape of which the outside is relatively convex than the inside is formed on one side of the conductive elastic body, and the first shape and the second shape are The shapes may be engaged with each other to couple the conductive bar and the conductive elastic body.

Alternatively, one side of the conductive elastic body is formed with a first convex shape that is relatively convex than the outside, and one side of the conductive bar has a second shape with a relatively convex shape than the inside, and the first shape and the first The two shapes may be engaged with each other to couple the conductive bar and the conductive elastic body.

Alternatively, a coupling protrusion may be formed at one side of the conductive rod, and a coupling hole may be formed at one side of the conductive elastic body, and the coupling protrusion may be inserted into the coupling hole to couple the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims and detailed description of the invention.

The touch sensing device according to the present invention eliminates contact defects between the conductive bars positioned between the panel and the printed circuit board regardless of the distance between the panel and the printed circuit board, the size of the conductive bar, and prevents the touch-insensitive phenomenon. Can be improved.

In addition, in the case of emitting the key input unit provided in the panel by using the lighting means, light of the lighting means may be prevented from being diffused to the surroundings, thereby improving luminous efficiency.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The touch sensing device according to the present invention is provided in an electronic device such as a TV, a washing machine, a microwave oven, a mobile communication terminal, a PDA, a PMP, and the like, as a component of a touch input device controlling a home appliance or an electronic device. Can be utilized. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the touch sensing device is provided in a predetermined electronic device.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a panel 10, a key input unit 12, a printed circuit board 20, a sensor circuit 22, a lighting means 24, a conductive rod 30, and a conductive elastic body 40 are shown. have.

The panel 10 is provided with a key input unit 12 in which letters, numbers or symbols of various designs are displayed. Some areas of the key input unit 12 are formed as areas that can transmit the light emitted from the lighting means 24 installed on the printed circuit board 20, so that the user can recognize the symbol of the key input unit 12. Make sure

The lighting means 24 is provided on the printed circuit board 20 corresponding to the position of the key input unit 12. The light of the lighting means 24 travels to the key input unit 12 through the through holes formed in the conductive rod 30 and the conductive elastic body 40. The lighting means 24 is generally LED is used, in addition to the device that emits light can be applied.

The sensor circuit 22 receives the capacitive signal input through the key input unit 12 and transmits the capacitive signal to a microprocessor or a microcomputer, etc. Allow the action to be performed.

The sensor circuit 22 is individually provided for each key input unit 12 to detect the presence of a key input or is provided for one of the plurality of key input units 12 to analyze the input capacitance signal and the presence or absence of key input and the position thereof. Can detect up to.

The sensor circuit 22 may be a capacitive sensor.

The conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 are physically connected and disposed between the panel 10 and the printed circuit board 20. The conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 are disposed corresponding to the position of the key input unit 12 formed in the panel 10, and light passes through the conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40. The through hole which can be formed is formed.

The conductive rod 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 are made of a material through which current can flow. The capacitive signal changed according to the touch of the predetermined key input unit 12 is transmitted to the sensor circuit 22 of the printed circuit board 20. In addition, the conductive rod 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 are formed of a material that prevents light traveling through the through hole from leaking to the side.

Here, the conductive rod 30 is a through-hole formed in the metal material that can flow a current.

The conductive elastic body 40 is manufactured by imparting electrical conductivity to the elastic body. It is prepared by uniformly dispersing the conductive filler in an elastic body such as rubber or polyurethane foam or by coating or applying the conductive filler on the surface of the elastic body. The conductive filler may be fine carbon black, graphite or silver, fine metal powder such as copper, nickel, aluminum, or the like.

The conductive elastic body 40 basically has elasticity that is stretched or restored to an original shape by an external pressure like an elastic body. The conductive elastic body 40 is disposed in combination with the conductive bar 30 between the panel 10 and the printed circuit board 20, and the size of the conductive bar 30 is not constant due to elasticity, or a long period of time of the touch sensing device. According to the use, the poor contact of the conductive bar 30, which may occur due to the deformation of the panel 10 shape, may be eliminated.

In addition, the panel 10 may have a curved shape having a predetermined curvature for improving aesthetics and convenience of operation of the electronic device in which the touch sensing device is installed. In this case, although the distance between the panel 10 and the printed circuit board 20 is different, the conductive rod 30 is in close contact with the panel 10 or the printed circuit board 20 due to the elasticity of the conductive elastic body 40. The defect can be eliminated.

Here, the conductive elastic body 40 may be basically compressed by an external pressure. By the restoring force of the compressed conductive elastic body 40, the conductive rod 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 may be in close contact with the panel 10 and the printed circuit board 20.

Since the conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 are in close contact with the panel 10 and the printed circuit board 20, the transfer of the capacitance signal can be smoothly performed, and a touch-insensitive phenomenon in the sensor circuit 22 can be achieved. This can be prevented.

In addition, the conductive elastic body 40 has a through hole formed therein, the through hole in the conductive elastic body 40 and the through hole of the conductive bar 30 are connected to each other so that the light from the lighting means 24 receives the key input unit 12. ) To reach.

A reflective material may be coated or coated on the side wall 35 of the through hole of the conductive bar 30 and / or the side wall 45 of the through hole inside the conductive elastic body 40. In this case, the light emitted from the lighting means 24 may be prevented from being diffused to the surroundings, and the light may be concentrated on the key input unit 12 to maximize the luminous efficiency of the key input unit 12.

In FIG. 2, although the conductive bar 30 is in contact with the panel 10 and the conductive elastic body 40 is in contact with the printed circuit board 20, this is only an example, and the conductive bar 30 is The conductive circuit 40 may be in contact with the printed circuit board 20 and the panel 10 may be in contact with the printed circuit board 20.

The conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 have electrical conductivity, respectively, and are electrically coupled when they are physically coupled to each other, and transfer the capacitive signal through the key input unit 12 to the printed circuit board 20. And finally reaches the sensor circuit 22.

In addition, the conductive bar 30 and the conductive elastic body 40 may be physically coupled so that the through-holes formed therein are integrated.

Various combinations of the conductive rod 30 and the conductive elastomer 40 are shown in FIGS. 3A-4B.

3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling between the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body shown in FIG. 3A. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling between the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body shown in FIG. 4A.

Basically, one side of the conductive bar 30 and one side of the conductive elastic body 40 are made of flat surfaces, and can be physically coupled by contacting each of the flat surfaces (see FIG. 2).

3A and 3B, one side of the conductive bar 30a has a shape where the inside is relatively convex (hereinafter referred to as A shape), and one side of the conductive elastic body 40a has a shape where the outside is relatively convex than the inside. (Hereinafter referred to as B shape). Accordingly, one side of the conductive rod 30a and one side of the conductive elastic body 40a are physically coupled by tightly joining an A shape and a B shape, and through-holes of the inside are integrally formed so that the light of the lighting means 24 is keyed. The input unit 12 may proceed without external influence.

Alternatively, one side of the conductive rod 30a may have a B shape, and one side of the conductive elastic body 40a may have an A shape, and may be engaged with each other.

4A and 4B, the coupling leg 32 protrudes from one side of the conductive rod 30b, and the coupling hole 42 is formed on one side of the conductive elastic body 40b. Accordingly, the coupling leg 32 is inserted into the coupling hole 42 so that the conductive rod 30b and the conductive elastic body 40b are physically coupled, and the through-holes of the inner body are integrated so that the light of the lighting means 24 is integrated. The key input unit 12 may proceed without external influence.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be understood that the invention may be varied and varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensing device that performs the above-described touch sensing method.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of the conductive rod and the conductive elastomer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3B is an exploded perspective view of the conductive rod and the conductive elastomer shown in FIG. 3A.

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of the conductive rod and the conductive elastomer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4B is an exploded perspective view of the conductive rod and the conductive elastomer shown in FIG. 4A.

≪ Description of reference numerals &

10: panel 12: key input unit

20: printed circuit board 22: sensor circuit

24: lighting means 30, 30a, 30b: conductive rod

40, 40a, 40b: conductive elastomer

Claims (9)

A panel on which at least one key input unit is provided, the region of which transmits light; A printed circuit board disposed on the panel at a predetermined interval and provided with a sensor circuit for sensing a capacitance signal according to a touch on the key input unit and an illumination unit provided opposite to a region through which light is transmitted through the key input unit; A conductive bar which contacts the key input unit or the printed circuit board to transmit the capacitance signal, and has a through hole therein for passing the light from the lighting means; And One side is coupled to the conductive rod, the other side is in contact with the other of the key input unit or the printed circuit board to transmit the capacitance signal, the conductive elastic body having a through hole for passing the light from the lighting means therein Touch sensing device comprising a. delete The method of claim 1, Touch sensing device, characterized in that the reflective material is coated or coated on the inner wall of the through-hole of the conductive bar. The method according to claim 1 or 3, Touch sensing device, characterized in that the reflective material is coated or coated on the inner wall of the through-hole of the conductive elastic body. The method of claim 1, The inner wall of the through hole of the conductive bar has a light shielding structure for emitting light only to a predetermined region. The method of claim 1, The conductive elastic body is a touch sensing device, characterized in that the conductive filler is dispersed in the elastic body or the conductive filler is coated or coated on the surface of the elastic body. The method of claim 1, On the one side of the conductive bar is formed a first shape, the inside of which is relatively convex than the outside, on one side of the conductive elastic body is formed a second shape, the outside is relatively convex than the inside, And the first shape and the second shape are engaged with each other to couple the conductive bar and the conductive elastic body. The method of claim 1, On the one side of the conductive elastic body is formed a first shape, the inside of which is relatively convex than the outside, on the one side of the conductive bar is formed a second shape, the outside is relatively convex than the inside, And the first shape and the second shape are engaged with each other to couple the conductive bar and the conductive elastic body. The method of claim 1, Coupling protrusions are formed on one side of the conductive rod, Coupling holes are formed on one side of the conductive elastic body, And the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole to couple the conductive rod and the conductive elastic body.

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