TWI880519B - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device includes a screen and an input device. The input device includes a keyboard set, a touch pad, and a touch frame bar. The touch frame bar includes a cover plate, a touch circuit board, a tactile feedback module, and a light source module. The cover has symbolic patterns. The touch circuit board is opaque and disposed under the cover plate. The tactile feedback module is disposed on one side of the touch circuit board. The light source module is disposed between the cover plate and the touch circuit board. The input device has an outer side edge extending in a width direction. The outer side edge and the touch frame bar have a first width and a second width respectively in the width direction. A ratio of the second width to the first width is less than 20%.

Description

Electronic devices

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device with a touch function.

As the demand for touch and pressure sensing applications has increased significantly, related integrated applications have emerged. In response to the need for mobile portability, products equipped with applications that combine touch, pressure sensing, and display functions have attracted attention.

Some existing electronic devices (such as laptops) include both a touchpad and a touch bar, and a keyboard is located between the touchpad and the touch bar. However, when a user grabs and lifts the screen of the existing electronic device from the side of the body, the touch bar is often accidentally touched.

Therefore, how to come up with an electronic device that can solve the above problems is one of the problems that the industry is eager to invest research and development resources to solve.

In view of this, one purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can solve the above-mentioned problem.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a screen and an input device. The input device includes a keyboard set, a touch panel and a touch frame. The touch frame includes a cover plate, a touch circuit board, a touch feedback module and a light source module. The cover plate has a symbol pattern. The touch circuit board is opaque and is arranged under the cover plate. The touch feedback module is arranged on one side of the touch circuit board. The light source module is arranged between the cover plate and the touch circuit board. The input device has an outer side extending along the width direction. The outer side and the touch frame have a first width and a second width in the width direction, respectively. The ratio of the second width to the first width is less than 20%.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover includes a first display area and two second display areas. The first display area is connected between the second display areas in the length direction. The touch frame has a first length in the length direction. Each second display area has a second length in the length direction. The ratio of the second length to the first length is less than 15%.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second display area is defined by a vertical projection of the tactile feedback module on the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the input device further includes a carrier and a plurality of vibration isolators. The carrier is fixed to the bottom of the cover plate and carries the touch circuit board. The vibration isolators are arranged between the touch circuit board and the carrier.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the tactile feedback module includes an embedded coil layer and a magnet assembly. The embedded coil layer is disposed on the touch control circuit board and is away from the cover plate. The magnet assembly is disposed on the carrier and forms a vibration module with the embedded coil layer.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second display area is defined by a vertical projection of the vibration module on the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the tactile feedback module further includes a plurality of force sensors. The force sensors are disposed on a touch control circuit board.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second display area is defined by a vertical projection of the combination of the vibration module and the force sensor on the cover plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the light source module includes at least one light guide plate and at least one light emitting element. The light guide plate is disposed between the cover plate and the touch circuit board. The light emitting element is disposed on the touch circuit board and configured to emit light toward the light guide plate.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of the at least one light guide plate and the number of the at least one light emitting element are plural. The light emitting elements are configured to emit light toward the light guide plates respectively.

In summary, in the electronic device disclosed herein, by making the ratio of the width of the touch frame in the width direction to the width of the outer side of the input device in the width direction less than 20%, the user can effectively avoid accidentally touching the touch frame when the display is opened and the user grasps and lifts the outer side of the input device. In addition, by making the ratio of the length of each second display area of the cover plate of the touch frame in the length direction to the length of the touch frame in the length direction less than 15%, and making the tactile feedback module correspondingly disposed below the second display area, the feedback of important keys can be enhanced. In addition, by further including a force sensor in the tactile feedback module, accidental key triggering can be effectively prevented.

The above description is only used to explain the problem to be solved by the present disclosure, the technical means for solving the problem, and the effects produced, etc. The specific details of the present disclosure will be introduced in detail in the following implementation method and related drawings.

The following will disclose multiple embodiments of the present disclosure with drawings. For the purpose of clarity, many practical details will be described together in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the present disclosure. In other words, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, these practical details are not necessary. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings, some commonly used structures and components will be depicted in the drawings in a simple schematic manner.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes a display 110 and an input device 200A. The display 110 is connected to the input device 200A (for example, via a hinge or hinge device) and can be flipped relative to each other. The input device 200A includes a keyboard assembly 210, a touch panel 220, and a touch frame bar 230. The keyboard assembly 210 is located between the touch panel 220 and the touch frame bar 230. The touch panel 220 is located on a side of the keyboard assembly 210 away from the display 110. The touch frame 230 is located on the side of the keyboard assembly 210 close to the display 110. The rectangular area of the touch panel 220 can be extended in width to the left and right according to different models (i.e., a longer touch panel 220), and the size is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. Although the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment is taken as an example of a laptop computer, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the concept of the electronic device 100 disclosed in the present disclosure can be applied to any electronic product that uses the touch panel 220 and/or the touch frame 230 as an input or operating interface. The structure, function, and connection and actuation relationship between some components included in the electronic device 100 will be described in detail below.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 100 along the cut line 2-2 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the touch frame 230 includes a cover plate 231, a touch circuit board 232, a touch feedback module 233A and a light source module 234. The cover plate 231 has a symbol pattern P (see FIG. 1). The symbol pattern P is, for example, a function key, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The touch circuit board 232 is opaque and is disposed below the cover plate 231. The light source module 234 is disposed between the cover plate 231 and the touch circuit board 232. Specifically, the light source module 234 includes a light guide plate 234a and a light emitting element 234b. The light guide plate 234a is disposed between the cover plate 231 and the touch circuit board 232. The light emitting element 234b is disposed on the touch circuit board 232 and configured to emit light toward the light guide plate 234a. The light guide plate 234a is bonded to the bottom surface of the cover plate 231 via an adhesive layer 239. The touch circuit board 232 is bonded to the bottom surface of the light guide plate 234a via an adhesive layer 239. The touch feedback module 233A is disposed on one side of the touch circuit board 232.

In some implementations, the adhesive layer 239 is, for example, transparent optical clear adhesive (OCA), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the input device 200A has an outer side 200a extending along the width direction DW. The outer side 200a and the touch frame 230 have a first width W1 and a second width W2 in the width direction DW, respectively. The ratio of the second width W2 to the first width W1 is less than 20%. In this way, when the user grasps and lifts the input device 200A by the outer side 200a when the display 110 is opened, the touch frame 230 can be effectively avoided from being accidentally touched.

Specifically, when the display 110 is unfolded, the center of gravity of the electronic device 100 in the width direction DW is approximately located at a position about 0.25 to about 0.5 times the first width W1 downward from the edge of the input device 200A close to the display 110. Specifically, when the weight ratio of the host on one side of the display 110 and the input device 200A is 1:1, the center of gravity is approximately located at a position about 0.25 times the first width W1 downward from the aforementioned edge of the input device 200A; when the weight ratio is different, the center of gravity will also vary between about 0.25 to about 0.5 times downward from the aforementioned edge of the input device 200A. In other words, the position of the outer side 200a of the user's hand holding the input device 200A in the width direction DW must also cover the aforementioned center of gravity position of the electronic device 100 in the width direction DW, so that the electronic device 100 can be lifted smoothly. The touch frame 230 with the second width W2 is completely outside the range of the aforementioned center of gravity position of the electronic device 100 in the width direction DW, so that the user's hand can be effectively prevented from accidentally touching the touch frame 230 when holding the outer side 200a of the input device 200A.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the input device 200A further includes a carrier 236A. The carrier 236A is fixed to the bottom of the cover 231 and carries the touch circuit board 232. The carrier 236A is, for example, the upper shell of the input device 200A (also commonly known as the C part). In detail, the carrier 236A has a receiving slot S. The touch circuit board 232 and the touch feedback module 233A of the touch frame 230 are located in the receiving slot S, and the cover 231 covers the entrance of the receiving slot S. The input device 200A further includes a plurality of seismic isolation bodies 237, 238. The seismic isolation body 237 is located in the receiving slot S. The seismic isolation body 237 is disposed between the touch circuit board 232 and the supporting member 236A. Thus, the touch circuit board 232 can be supported in the receiving groove S of the supporting member 236A through the seismic isolation body 237. In addition, the seismic isolation body 238 is located outside the receiving groove S and adjacent to the periphery of the receiving groove S. The seismic isolation body 238 is disposed between the cover plate 231 and the supporting member 236A. Thus, the cover plate 231 can be supported on the supporting member 236A through the seismic isolation body 238. The seismic isolation bodies 237 and 238 have the effect of reducing vibration noise and effectively releasing vibration stress in the horizontal direction. In order to achieve the aforementioned effects, in some implementations, the Young's modulus of the seismic isolation bodies 237 and 238 may be in the range of 0.55 Mpa to 0.8 Mpa, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the touch feedback module 233A includes an embedded coil layer 233a and a magnet group 233b. The embedded coil layer 233a is disposed on the touch circuit board 232 and away from the cover plate 231. The magnet group 233b is disposed on the carrier 236A and forms a vibration module with the embedded coil layer 233a. The vibration module formed by the magnet group 233b and the embedded coil layer 233a can be operated in the form of a horizontal linear motor, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In practical applications, by changing the magnetic pole orientation of the magnet assembly 233b, the vibration module formed by the magnet assembly 233b and the embedded coil layer 233a can also be operated in the form of a vertical linear motor.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the first display area 231a is connected to the second display area 231b in the length direction DL. The touch frame 230 has a first length L1 in the length direction DL. Each second display area 231b has a second length L2 in the length direction DL. By making the ratio of the second length L2 of the second display area 231b to the first length L1 of the touch frame 230 less than 15%, and making the vibration module composed of the magnet group 233b and the embedded coil layer 233a correspondingly disposed below the second display area 231b, the feedback of the important keys can be enhanced. For example, please refer to Figure 1. When the user touches the symbol pattern P in the second display area 231b, the vibration force felt is stronger because it is closer to the vibration module below; when the user touches the symbol pattern P in the first display area 231a, the vibration force felt is weaker because it is farther away from the vibration module below.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the bottom of the carrier 236A has a groove 236a. The magnet group 233b is accommodated in the groove 236a and is arranged corresponding to the embedded coil. That is, the magnet group 233b and the embedded coil are respectively located on opposite sides of the carrier 236A.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, a processor 235 is disposed on the bottom surface of the touch circuit board 232. A touch electrode layer (not shown) is also disposed on the touch circuit board 232. The touch electrode layer is configured to sense the touch operation of the user using a finger or other touch tool on the cover 231 and generate a touch signal accordingly. The processor 235 is configured to control the vibration module to vibrate in response to the touch operation.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the tactile feedback module 233A further includes a plurality of force sensors 233c. The force sensors 233c are disposed on the touch circuit board 232. The force sensors 233c are configured to generate a force sensing signal in response to deformation of the touch circuit board 232 (e.g., due to a user pressing the cover 231). When the force sensor 233c generates a force sensing signal, the processor 235 is configured to control the vibration module to generate different vibration forces according to the touch operation and the force sensing signal, thereby providing a tactile feedback effect.

In practical applications, the tactile feedback module 233A including the force sensor 233c can effectively prevent the mis-triggering of keys. For example, it can be set that only when the force value sensed by the force sensor 233c is greater than a threshold value, the processor 235 will control the vibration module to generate vibration.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 , the second display area 231b is defined by the vertical projection of the combination of the vibration module and the force sensor 233c formed by the magnet assembly 233b and the embedded coil layer 233a on the cover 231, which serves as a double-fault-safe switch mechanism for activating an important button of the second display area 231b, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the light source module 234 includes one light guide plate 234a and one light emitting element 234b. That is, the light emitting element 234b emits light laterally toward the side of the light guide plate 234a. The light guide plate 234a then guides the light upward toward the cover plate 231. The portion of the cover plate 231 at the symbol pattern P can be a light-transmitting portion, and the portion outside the symbol pattern P can be a light-shielding portion. Thus, when the light emitting element 234b emits light, all the symbol patterns P can transmit light.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a top view of some components of an electronic device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the light source module 234 includes a plurality of light guide plates 234a and a plurality of light emitting elements 234b. The light emitting elements 234b are configured to emit light toward the light guide plates 234a, respectively. Thus, the processor 235 can control the corresponding light emitting element 234b to emit light according to the position of the touch operation, so that the corresponding symbol pattern P emits light.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device 200B according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tactile feedback module 233B of this embodiment omits the force sensor 233c, and the structure, function and connection relationship of other components are the same, so you can refer to the above related descriptions, and will not repeat them here. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 at the same time. The second display area 231b is defined by the vertical projection of the vibration module composed of the magnet group 233b and the embedded coil layer 233a on the cover plate 231.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device 200C according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the support member 236C of this embodiment omits the groove 236a, and the structure, function and connection relationship of other components are the same, so you can refer to the above related descriptions, and will not elaborate on them here. Specifically, the magnet group 233b is set in the receiving groove S of the support member 236C and directly faces the embedded coil. That is, the magnet group 233b and the embedded coil are located on the same side of the support member 236C.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device 200D according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the present embodiment further includes a fixing plate 236D, and the structures, functions and connection relationships of other components are the same, so you can refer to the above related descriptions and will not elaborate on them here. Specifically, the fixing plate 236D is disposed at the bottom of the carrier 236A and covers the groove 236a. Thereby, the magnet assembly 233b can be sealed in the groove 236a for protection. In some embodiments, the fixing plate 236D is, for example, a silicon steel sheet, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device 200E according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the support member 236E of this embodiment changes the groove 236a into a through hole, and the structure, function and connection relationship of other components are the same, so please refer to the above related descriptions and will not be repeated here. Specifically, the magnet group 233b is directly supported on the fixing plate 236D and directly opposite to the embedded coil layer 233a.

From the above detailed description of the specific implementation of the present disclosure, it can be clearly seen that in the electronic device of the present disclosure, by making the ratio of the width of the touch frame in the width direction to the width of the outer side of the input device in the width direction less than 20%, the user can effectively avoid accidentally touching the touch frame when the display is opened and the user grasps and lifts the outer side of the input device. In addition, by making the ratio of the length of each second display area of the cover plate of the touch frame in the length direction to the length of the touch frame in the length direction less than 15%, and making the tactile feedback module correspondingly arranged below the second display area, the feedback of important keys can be strengthened. In addition, by further including a force sensor in the tactile feedback module, accidental key triggering can be effectively prevented.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed in the above implementation form, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

100: electronic device 110: display 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E: input device 200a: outer side 210: keyboard assembly 220: touch panel 230: touch frame 231: cover plate 231a: first display area 231b: second display area 232: touch circuit board 233A, 233B: touch feedback module 233a: embedded coil layer 233b: magnet assembly 233c: force sensor 234: light source module 234a: light guide plate 234b: light emitting element 235: processor 236A, 236C, 236E: Carrier 236a: Groove 236D: Fixing plate 237, 238: Isolation body 239: Adhesive layer DL: Length direction DW: Width direction L1: First length L2: Second length P: Symbol pattern S: Accommodation groove W1: First width W2: Second width

In order to make the above and other purposes, features, advantages and embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly understandable, the attached drawings are described as follows: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device in FIG. 1 along the cut line 2-2. FIG. 3 is a top view of some components of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Domestic storage information (please note in the order of storage institution, date, and number) None Foreign storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) None

100: Electronic devices

110: Display

200A: Input device

200a: Outer side

210: Keyboard set

220: Touch panel

230: Touch frame

231: Cover plate

231a: First display area

231b: Second display area

DL: Length direction

DW: width direction

L1: first length

L2: Second length

P:Symbol pattern

W1: First width

W2: Second width

Claims (10)

An electronic device includes: a screen; and an input device including a keyboard, a touch panel and a touch frame, wherein the touch frame includes: a cover having a symbol pattern; a touch circuit board that is opaque and disposed below the cover; a tactile feedback module disposed on one side of the touch circuit board; and a light source module disposed between the cover and the touch circuit board, wherein the input device has an outer side extending along a width direction, the outer side and the touch frame have a first width and a second width respectively in the width direction, and the ratio of the second width to the first width is less than 20%. An electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a first display area and two second display areas, the first display area is connected between the second display areas in a length direction, the touch frame has a first length in the length direction, each of the second display areas has a second length in the length direction, and the ratio of the second length to the first length is less than 15%. An electronic device as described in claim 2, wherein the second display areas are defined by the vertical projection of the tactile feedback module on the cover. The electronic device as described in claim 2, wherein the input device further comprises: a carrier fixed to the bottom of the cover plate and carrying the touch circuit board; and a plurality of seismic isolation bodies disposed between the touch circuit board and the carrier. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein the tactile feedback module comprises: an embedded coil layer, disposed on the touch circuit board and away from the cover; and a magnet assembly, disposed on the carrier and constituting a vibration module with the embedded coil layer. An electronic device as described in claim 5, wherein the second display areas are defined by the vertical projection of the vibration module on the cover plate. The electronic device as described in claim 5, wherein the tactile feedback module further comprises: a plurality of force sensors disposed on the touch control circuit board. An electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein the second display areas are defined by a vertical projection of a combination of the vibration module and the force sensors on the cover plate. The electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the light source module comprises: at least one light guide plate disposed between the cover plate and the touch circuit board; and at least one light emitting element disposed on the touch circuit board and configured to emit light toward the side of the at least one light guide plate. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the number of the at least one light guide plate and the number of the at least one light emitting element are plural, and the light emitting elements are configured to emit light toward the sides of the light guide plates respectively.

Images