TWI905585B - Touch device - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch device includes a circuit board assembly and a magnet set. The circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a plurality of supporting units. A touch electrode layer is provided on the first circuit board. A coil set is provided on the second circuit board. The supporting units are supported between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The magnet set is disposed on the first circuit board and is disposed corresponding to the coil set.

Description

Touch device

This disclosure relates to a touch device.

The current trend in touch device development is from simple touch functionality to the integration of touch, force sensing, and haptic feedback. A conventional touch device places the force sensor on a flexible component (such as a metal bracket) and fixes the flexible component to the touch circuit board, for example, Taiwan Patent No. I773594. However, when conventional touch device designs are used in larger applications, they face the problem of deformation in the center of the cover.

Therefore, how to develop a touch device that can solve the above problems is one of the issues that the industry is currently eager to address by investing research and development resources in.

In view of this, one of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a touch device that can solve the above problems.

To achieve the above objectives, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, a touch device includes a circuit board assembly and a magnet assembly. The circuit board assembly includes a first board, a second board, and a plurality of support units. A touch electrode layer is disposed on the first board. A coil assembly is disposed on the second board. The support units are supported between the first and second boards. The magnet assembly is disposed on the first board and corresponds to the coil assembly.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the magnet assembly is disposed on the side of the first plate facing the second plate. The coil assembly is located on the side of the second plate facing the first plate.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms. Support units are respectively disposed on the spring arms.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the second plate has a plurality of through slots. The through slots are respectively adjacent to the edges of the spring arm portion.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the through-slot is U-shaped.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the touch device further includes a plurality of force sensors. The force sensors are disposed on the side of the second plate facing the first plate.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms. Force sensors are respectively disposed on the spring arms.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the touch device further includes a housing and a connector. The housing is located below the second plate. The connector is connected between the housing and the second plate. The connector has a plurality of recesses.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the touch device further includes a plurality of force sensors. The second plate includes a plurality of spring arms. Force sensors are respectively disposed on the spring arms. Recesses are correspondingly disposed below the force sensors.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the connector has two opposite sides. A recess is located on at least one of the two sides.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the touch device further includes a housing and a connector. The housing is located below the second plate. The connector is connected between the housing and the second plate. The surface of the housing facing the connector has a plurality of grooves.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the touch device further includes a plurality of force sensors. The second plate includes a plurality of spring arms. The force sensors are respectively disposed on the spring arms. Recesses are correspondingly disposed below the force sensors.

In summary, in the touch device disclosed herein, the circuit board assembly has multiple support units internally, thus enhancing the overall support of the circuit board assembly. Furthermore, the magnet assembly disposed on the circuit board assembly further improves the overall rigidity of the circuit board assembly. Therefore, the touch device disclosed herein can effectively solve the problem of central deformation of the cover plate in larger-size applications.

The above description is only used to illustrate the problem to be solved by this disclosure, the technical means to solve the problem, and the effects produced, etc. The specific details of this disclosure will be introduced in detail in the implementation method and related diagrams below.

The following diagrams disclose several embodiments of this disclosure. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit this disclosure. That is, these practical details are not necessary in some embodiments of this disclosure. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and components will be shown in the diagrams in a simplified manner.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram illustrating a touch device 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the touch device 100 includes a host 110, a display 120, and a touchpad module. The touchpad module is disposed in a receiving slot 111a of the casing 111 (commonly known as the C/D component) of the host 110. The touch device 100 is exemplified by a laptop computer, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In practical applications, the touch device 100 may also be other electronic products that use a touchpad as an input or operation interface (e.g., personal digital assistants, keyboards including touchpads, etc.). In other words, the concept of the touch device 100 disclosed herein can be applied to any electronic product that uses a touchpad as an input or operation interface. The structure, function, and connection and operation relationship between some of the components included in the touch device 100 will be described in detail below.

Please refer to Figure 2, which is a partial cross-sectional view of the touch device 100 in Figure 1 along section line 2-2. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the touch device 100 further includes a cover plate 130, a circuit board assembly 140, and a magnet assembly 160. The cover plate 130, the circuit board assembly 140, and the magnet assembly 160 are disposed within a receiving groove 111a of the housing 111. The cover plate 130 is exposed through the entrance of the receiving groove 111a. The circuit board assembly 140 is disposed below the cover plate 130 and is connected to the cover plate 130 via an adhesive layer 150. The circuit board assembly 140 is also supported on the bottom of the receiving groove 111a and is connected to the housing 111 via a connector 180. The circuit board assembly 140 includes a first board 141, a second board 142, and a plurality of support units 143. A touch electrode layer 141a is disposed on the first board 141. A coil assembly 142a is disposed on the second board 142. The support units 143 are supported between the first board 141 and the second board 142. A magnet assembly 160 is disposed on the first board 141 and corresponds to the coil assembly 142a.

As can be seen from the aforementioned structural configuration, a plurality of support units 143 are provided inside the circuit board assembly 140 (i.e., between the first plate 141 and the second plate 142), thereby enhancing the overall support of the circuit board assembly 140. Furthermore, the magnet assembly 160 disposed on the first plate 141 of the circuit board assembly 140 can further improve the overall rigidity of the circuit board assembly 140. Therefore, the touch device 100 of this embodiment can effectively solve the problem of central deformation of the cover plate 130 when applied to larger sizes.

In some embodiments, the touch electrode layer 141a is configured to sense touch operations performed by a user on the cover 130 using a finger or other touch tool, and generate a touch signal accordingly.

As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the magnet assembly 160 is disposed on the side of the first plate 141 facing the second plate 142. The coil assembly 142a is located on the side of the second plate 142 facing the first plate 141. The magnet assembly 160 disposed on the first plate 141 and the coil assembly 142a disposed on the second plate 142 constitute a vibration module. The vibration module is configured to generate appropriate vibration acceleration to meet the user experience.

For details, please refer to Figure 3, which is a top view showing the coil assembly 142a and the magnet assembly 160 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the coil assembly 142a includes two coil units 142a1 and 142a2. The two coil units 142a1 and 142a2 are electrically connected. Specifically, the two coil units 142a1 and 142a2 have the same winding method and are connected in series. Coil unit 142a1 includes two straight wire bundle segments 142a11 and 142a12. The straight wire bundle segments 142a11 and 142a12 are arranged side by side. Coil unit 142a2 includes two straight wire bundle segments 142a21 and 142a22. The straight coil segments 142a21 and 142a22 are arranged side by side, one above the other. The magnet assembly 160 located below the straight coil segments 142a11 and 142a21 has the N pole. The magnet assembly 160 located below the straight coil segments 142a12 and 142a22 has the S pole. For example, when the current direction in the coil units 142a1 and 142a2 (as indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 3) is counterclockwise, according to the left-hand rule (i.e., with the palm facing the N pole and the four fingers pointing in the current direction, the thumb's direction indicates the direction of the force on the conductor), the force direction in the straight coil segments 142a11, 142a12, 142a21, and 142a22 is upward. Conversely, when the current direction in coil units 142a1 and 142a2 is clockwise, the force direction of straight wire bundle segments 142a11, 142a12, 142a21, and 142a22 is downward.

Therefore, it can be seen that the vibration module composed of the magnet assembly 160 and the coil assembly 142a in Figure 2 can operate as a horizontal linear motor, but this disclosure is not limited to this. Please refer to Figure 4, which is a partial cross-sectional view of a touch device 200 according to another embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is that this embodiment provides a modified magnet assembly 260. Specifically, by changing the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet assembly 260, the vibration module composed of the magnet assembly 260 and the coil assembly 142a can operate as a vertical linear motor.

In some embodiments, coil assembly 142a is an embedded coil assembly 142a layer exposed by the upper surface of the second plate 142, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 150 is a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

In some embodiments, connector 180 is also a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

In some embodiments, the support element 143 has the effect of reducing vibration noise and effectively releasing horizontal vibration stress. In order to achieve the aforementioned effects, in some embodiments, the Young's modulus of the support element 143 may be in the range of 0.55 MPa to 0.8 MPa, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

Please refer to Figure 5, which is a top view of the second plate 142 and support unit 143 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the second plate 142 includes a plurality of spring arms 142b. Support units 143 are respectively disposed on the spring arms 142b. Specifically, the second plate 142 has a plurality of through slots 142c. The through slots 142c penetrate the second plate 142 and are respectively adjacent to the edges of the spring arms 142b. It can be seen that by disposing the support units 143 on the spring arms 142b of the second plate 142, the spring arms 142b can provide better shock absorption or vibration isolation effects.

In some embodiments, the through groove 142c is U-shaped. In other words, the spring arm portion 142b and the through groove 142c are located within the outer edge of the second plate 142, so the second plate 142 can maintain an intact outer edge, thereby allowing good control over the deformation of the second plate 142 except for the spring arm portion 142b.

As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the touch device 100 further includes a plurality of force sensors 170. The force sensors 170 are disposed on the side of the second plate 142 facing the first plate 141. The force sensors 170 disposed on the second plate 142 are configured to generate force sensing signals in response to deformation of the circuit board assembly 140 (e.g., due to a user pressing the cover plate 130). In practical applications, when the force sensor 170 generates a force sensing signal, the circuit board assembly 140 can control the vibration module to generate different vibration forces according to the force sensing signal to provide tactile feedback.

In some embodiments, the force sensor 170 is a strain gauge, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, in this embodiment, force sensors 170 are respectively disposed on the spring arm portion 142b. Since the spring arm portion 142b is more easily deformed, the force sensors 170 disposed on the spring arm portion 142b can effectively increase the sensing sensitivity.

As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the connector 180 connecting the housing 111 and the second plate 142 has a plurality of recesses 181. Furthermore, the recesses 181 are correspondingly located below the force sensor 170. By providing clearance space below the force sensor 170 through the recesses 181, space can be provided for the circuit board assembly 140 to deform downwards (especially for the spring arm portion 142b to deform downwards).

As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the connector 180 has two opposite sides. Recesses 181 are located on both sides of the connector 180, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In practical applications, recesses 181 may be located on only one of the two sides.

As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the surface of the housing 111 facing the connector 180 has a plurality of grooves 111b. Furthermore, the grooves 111b are correspondingly disposed below the force sensor 170. By providing clearance space below the force sensor 170 through the grooves 111b, space can be provided for the circuit board assembly 140 to deform downwards (particularly for the spring arm portion 142b to deform downwards).

From the detailed description of the specific embodiments of this disclosure above, it is clear that in the touch device of this disclosure, the circuit board assembly has multiple support units inside, thus enhancing the overall support of the circuit board assembly. Furthermore, the magnet assembly disposed on the circuit board assembly can further improve the overall rigidity of the circuit board assembly. Therefore, the touch device of this disclosure can effectively solve the problem of central deformation of the cover plate when used in larger-size applications.

Although this disclosure has been made in practice as described above, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

100, 200: Touchscreen Device 110: Main Unit 111: Housing 111a: Receiving Slot 111b: Recess 120: Display 130: Cover Plate 140: Circuit Board Assembly 141: First Plate 141a: Touch Electrode Layer 142: Second Plate 142a: Coil Assembly 142a1, 142a2: Coil Unit 142a11, 142a12, 142a21, 142a22: Straight Wire Harness Section 142b: Spring Arm Section 142c: Through Slot 143: Support Unit 150: Adhesive Layer 160, 260: Magnet Assembly 170: Force sensor 180: Connector 181: Recess 2-2: Truncation line

To make the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of this disclosure more apparent, the accompanying drawings are explained as follows: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a touch device according to one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the touch device in Figure 1 along section line 2-2. Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the coil assembly and magnet assembly in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a touch device according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a top view of the second plate and support unit in Figure 2.

Domestic Storage Information (Please record in order of storage institution, date, and number) None International Storage Information (Please record in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) None

100: Touch device 111: Housing 111a: Receiving slot 111b: Recess 130: Cover plate 140: Circuit board assembly 141: First plate 141a: Touch electrode layer 142: Second plate 142a: Coil assembly 143: Support unit 150: Adhesive layer 160: Magnet assembly 170: Force sensor 180: Connector 181: Recess

Claims (11)

A touch device includes: a circuit board assembly comprising: a first board having a touch electrode layer thereon; a second board having a coil assembly thereon; and a plurality of support units supported between the first board and the second board; a magnet assembly disposed on the first board and corresponding to the coil assembly; a housing located below the second board; and a connector connected between the housing and the second board, wherein the connector has a plurality of recesses. The touch device as described in claim 1, wherein the magnet assembly is disposed on the side of the first plate facing the second plate, and the coil assembly is located on the side of the second plate facing the first plate. The touch device as described in claim 1, wherein the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms, and the support units are respectively disposed on the spring arms. The touch device as described in claim 3, wherein the second plate has a plurality of through slots, and the through slots are respectively adjacent to the edges of the spring arms. The touch device as described in claim 4, wherein the through slots are U-shaped. The touch device as described in claim 1 further includes a plurality of force sensors disposed on the side of the second plate facing the first plate. The touch device as described in claim 6, wherein the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms and force sensors are respectively disposed on the spring arms. The touch device as described in claim 1 further includes a plurality of force sensors, wherein the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms, the force sensors are respectively disposed on the spring arms, and the recesses are correspondingly disposed below the force sensors. The touch device as described in claim 1, wherein the connector has opposite sides and the recesses are located on at least one of the sides. The touch device as described in claim 1, wherein a surface of the housing facing the connector has a plurality of grooves. The touch device as described in claim 10 further includes a plurality of force sensors, wherein the second plate includes a plurality of spring arms, the force sensors being disposed on the spring arms, and the grooves being disposed correspondingly below the force sensors.