Knob device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a knob device. The knob device comprises a base, an operating cover, a ring-shaped circuit board, a positioning ring, a resistance member, multiple elastic members, multiple conductive trigger members, and multiple reset conductive members. The base has an external conductive component. The operating cover is pivotally mounted on the base and can move up and down. The ring-shaped circuit board is installed inside the base. The positioning ring fixes the ring-shaped circuit board and connects to the operating cover. The resistance member is fixed on the base and abuts against the positioning ring. Multiple elastic members are set on the positioning ring or the ring-shaped circuit board. Multiple conductive trigger members are fixed on the bottom surface of the operating cover; multiple reset conductive members are set on the positioning ring. When the operating cover is pressed, the conductive trigger members compress the elastic members and push the reset conductive members to contact the external conductive component. When the operating cover is released, the elastic members push away the conductive trigger members, causing the reset conductive members to separate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, and more particularly to a knob device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Existing knob devices can trigger the touch display panel by conducting human body charge. However, existing knob devices often trigger the touch display panel before the human body is in contact with it, resulting in unexpected signals entering the touch display panel. In other words, existing knob devices are susceptible to electromagnetic interference or static electricity in the environment, resulting in "ghost touch" or "false touch" phenomena.

[0003] Therefore, the inventor believed that the above-mentioned defects could be improved, and thus devoted himself to research and applied scientific principles, and finally proposed an invention that is reasonably designed and effectively improves the above-mentioned defects. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a knob device to address the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a knob device, comprising: a base for mounting on a touch-screen display panel, the base including an external conductive component, and the base defining a thickness direction; an operating cover pivotally mounted on the base, the operating cover being rotatable relative to the base, and the operating cover being movable along the thickness direction between a trigger position and a release position; an annular circuit board disposed within the base, the annular circuit board having a plurality of contacts arranged in a ring; a brake ring fixed to the annular circuit board and connected to the operating cover, the brake ring being driven by the operating cover to rotate relative to the base, such that at least one of the contacts of the annular circuit board is electrically coupled to the external conductive component; a resistance member fixed to the base and abutting against the brake ring; and a plurality of elastic members disposed on the brake ring and at least one of the annular circuit board. One of the components includes: multiple conductive triggers fixed to the side of the operating cover facing the base, with each conductive trigger corresponding to a different elastic element; and multiple reset conductive elements disposed on the brake ring, each reset conductive element corresponding to a different conductive trigger, and at least one of the external conductive components and their corresponding conductive triggers being spaced apart. When the operating cover is in the trigger position, the multiple conductive triggers compress the multiple elastic elements to generate an elastic force, and the multiple conductive triggers push against the multiple reset conductive elements to electrically couple with the external conductive components, allowing the charge of the operating cover to be conducted to the external conductive components. When the operating cover is in the release position, the multiple elastic elements release the elastic force to push the multiple conductive triggers away from the multiple reset conductive elements.

[0006] In summary, the knob device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can avoid the phenomenon of "ghost touch" or "false touch" by means of the design that "the operating cover can move between a trigger position and a release position along the thickness direction, and each of the reset conductive elements and the conductive trigger element corresponding to the position and at least one of the external conductive components are spaced apart", "when the operating cover is in the trigger position, the plurality of conductive trigger elements squeeze the plurality of elastic elements to generate an elastic force, and the plurality of conductive trigger elements push against the plurality of reset conductive elements to electrically couple with the external conductive components, so that the charge of the operating cover can be used to be conducted to the external conductive components", and "when the operating cover is in the release position, the plurality of elastic elements release the elastic force to push the plurality of conductive trigger elements away from the plurality of reset conductive elements".

[0007] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, these descriptions and drawings are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention in any way.

Implementation Method

[0008] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the "knob device" disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustration only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated in advance. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0009] It should be understood that although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein may, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0010] In addition, if in the following description it is indicated that you refer to a specific figure or as shown in a specific figure, it is only to emphasize that most of the relevant content in the following description appears in that specific figure, but it does not limit the following description to refer only to that specific figure.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 to 10, this embodiment provides a knob device 100, which can be mounted on a touch-screen display panel (not shown). In practice, the operation signal sent by the knob device 100 is identified and responded to by an application in the touch-screen display panel, and the identification and response between the knob device 100 and the touch-screen display panel is not only prior art but also not the focus of this invention, and will not be specifically described here.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the knob device 100 includes a base 1, an operating cover 2 pivotally mounted on the base 1, an annular circuit board 3 disposed within the base 1, a brake ring 4 fixed to the annular circuit board 3 and connected to the operating cover 2, a resistance member 5 fixed to the base 1 and abutting against the brake ring 4, a plurality of elastic members 6 disposed on at least one of the brake ring 4 and the annular circuit board 3, a plurality of conductive trigger members 7 fixed to one side of the operating cover 2 facing the base 1, and a plurality of reset conductive members 8 disposed on the brake ring 4. Next, the components of the knob device 100 and their connection relationships will be described.

[0013] Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, the base 1 in this embodiment is made of insulating material and consists of an upper component 11 and a lower component 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, for ease of subsequent explanation, the base 1 is defined with a thickness direction D1.

[0014] The base 1 has a viewing hole H2 along the thickness direction D1, which is used to display the illustrations of the touch function display panel (i.e., the operator can see the illustrations of the touch function display panel through the viewing hole). Preferably, the viewing hole H2 is located in a central region of the base 1, but this is not a limitation of the invention. For example, in other embodiments not shown, the viewing hole H2 may be omitted.

[0015] Furthermore, the base 1 also includes an external conductive component 13, which is the final circuit path used to trigger the touch function display panel. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the pressing operation of the external conductive component 13 on the operation cover 2 may include a first exposed pad 131, a conductive ring 132, and a first conductive bridge 133 disposed on the lower member 12. The first exposed pad 131 is disposed on the side of the lower member 12 away from the operation cover 2, and the conductive ring 132 is disposed on the base 1.

[0016] Furthermore, the first conductive bridge 133 is disposed between the conductive ring 132 and the first exposed pad 131, and the first conductive bridge 133 is electrically coupled to the conductive ring 132 and the first exposed pad 131. Accordingly, when the operation cover 2 is pressed (i.e., as shown in FIG10, the operation cover 2 is in a trigger position P1), a plurality of the reset conductive elements 8 can contact the conductive ring 132 to trigger the touch function display panel (described in detail later) through the conductive ring 132 and the first exposed pad 131.

[0017] Preferably, the first conductive bridging member 133 may be a conductive compression spring to ensure the electrical reliability between the conductive ring 132 and the first exposed pad 131.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the external conductive component 13, in response to the rotational operation of the operating cover 2, may include a plurality of second exposed pads 134 and a plurality of second conductive bridges 135 disposed on the lower member 12. The plurality of second exposed pads 134 are disposed on the side of the lower member 12 away from the operating cover 2 and are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of second conductive bridges 135 are disposed between the plurality of second exposed pads 134 and a plurality of contacts CP of the annular circuit board 3, and each second conductive bridge 135 can electrically couple at least one contact CP to at least one second exposed pad 134. Accordingly, when the operating cover 2 rotates relative to the base 1, at least one of the contacts CP is electrically coupled to one of the second exposed pads 134 through one of the second conductive bridges 135.

[0019] To ensure that each of the second conductive bridge members 135 can stably and non-fixedly electrically couple at least one of the contacts CP to one of the second exposed pads 134, each of the second conductive bridge members 135 may include a fixing plate 1351, and a first contact claw 1352 and a second contact claw 1353 connected to the fixing plate 1351. The fixing plate 1351 is fixed to the lower member 12, preventing the second conductive bridge members 135 from rotating with the operating cover 2. Furthermore, the first contact claw 1352 extends from the fixing plate 1351 toward the annular circuit board 3, and the end of the first contact claw 1352 can spring against one of the contacts CP to electrically couple one of the contacts CP. The second contact claw 1353 extends from the fixing plate 1351 toward the base 1, and the end of the second contact claw 1353 can spring against one of the second exposed pads 134. In other words, the first contact claw 1352 and the second contact claw 1353 can form a gradually widening opening.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3, 9 and 10, in order to perform pressing and rotating operations, the operating cover 2 can rotate relative to the base 1, and the operating cover 2 can also move along the thickness direction D1 between a trigger position P1 and a release position P2.

[0021] Specifically, the operating cover 2 includes a support base 21, a conductive outer cover 22 disposed on the support base 21, and an anti-slip sleeve 23. The support base 21 is pivotally mounted on the upper component 11 (i.e., a portion of the upper component 11 is located within the support base 21), and the support base 21 can connect to the brake ring 4, allowing the support base 21 to drive the brake ring 4 to rotate relative to the base 1. Multiple conductive feet (not shown) of the conductive outer cover 22 pass through the side of the support base 21 facing the base, positioning the multiple conductive feet between the brake ring 4 and the support base 21 to electrically couple multiple conductive triggers 7.

[0022] Referring again to Figures 3, 4, and 9, the brake ring 4 can be used to cooperate with the resistance member 5, so that the operating cover 2 can be assembled on the base 1. Specifically, the brake ring 4 includes a body 41, a plurality of through holes H42, and a plurality of annular posts 43. The body 41 is annular, and each of the through holes H42 penetrates the body 41 along the thickness direction D1, and the plurality of through holes H42 are arranged annularly on the body 41. Furthermore, the plurality of annular posts 43 are respectively fitted onto the plurality of through holes H42 for the placement of the plurality of reset conductive members 8, that is, the plurality of annular posts 43 are also arranged annularly.

[0023] It should be specifically noted that when the knob device 100 is rotated, the brake ring 4 can cooperate with the resistance member 5 to provide appropriate resistance. Specifically, the resistance member 5 is fixed to the upper member 11 and located within the support base 21, and the position of the resistance member 5 corresponds to the brake ring 4. The body 41 of the brake ring 4 has a plurality of teeth T arranged in a ring on a side away from the lower member 12, and the plurality of teeth T face the resistance member 5, so that a protrusion K of the resistance member 5 can abut against any one of the teeth T of the brake ring 4 to temporarily restrict rotation. Accordingly, when the operating cover 2 is subjected to a rotational force exceeding a threshold, the protrusion K can cross the teeth T to provide a positioning feel during rotation.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9, in this embodiment, the annular circuit board 3 is fixed to the side of the brake ring 4 facing the base, and the annular circuit board 3 can be rotated relative to the base 1 by the brake ring 4. The annular circuit board 3 has multiple contacts CP arranged in a ring for signal determination during rotation of the knob device 100. Additionally, the annular circuit board 3 also has multiple clearance holes H3, which allow multiple reset conductive elements 8 to pass through, so that when the operating cover 2 is pressed, charge can be conducted to the touch function display panel through the multiple conductive trigger elements 7 and the multiple reset conductive elements 8.

[0025] Referring again to Figures 3, 4, and 9, the plurality of elastic elements 6 are used to provide a spring-loaded contact for the plurality of conductive trigger elements 7, thereby allowing the operating cover 2 to move from the trigger position P1 to the release position P2. In this embodiment, the plurality of elastic elements 6 are disposed within the plurality of mounting slots 44 of the brake ring 4, that is, the plurality of elastic elements 6 are located on the annular circuit board 3. Specifically, the brake ring 4 further includes the plurality of mounting slots 44 disposed on the body 41, the plurality of mounting slots 44 communicating with the surface of the annular circuit board 3 in the thickness direction D1 and respectively adjacent to the plurality of annular posts 43. Accordingly, when the plurality of conductive trigger elements 7 are installed on the plurality of elastic elements 6, they are adjacent to the plurality of reset conductive elements 8.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 9, the plurality of conductive triggers 7 are fixed on the operation cover 2 and electrically coupled to the conductive outer cover 22 of the operation cover 2, and the positions of the plurality of conductive triggers 7 also correspond to the plurality of elastic members 6 respectively.

[0027] In this embodiment, each of the conductive triggers 7 includes a fixing plate 71 and a reset plate 72 and a trigger plate 73 connecting the fixing plate 71. The fixing plate 71 is configured in a direction generally perpendicular to the thickness direction D1 to be assembled to the side of the operating cover 2 facing the base 1, and the fixing plate 71 can be connected to the conductive foot to receive charge.

[0028] Furthermore, the cross-section of the reset plate 72 is generally L-shaped in this embodiment, and the reset plate 72 extends from the fixed plate 71 along the thickness direction D1, such that a portion of the reset plate 72 (i.e., the end perpendicular to the thickness direction D1) corresponds to one of the elastic elements 6. Moreover, the trigger plate 73 is generally parallel to the fixed plate 71, and the trigger plate 73 extends from the fixed plate 71 and is located on one side of the reset plate 72. A portion of the trigger plate 73 corresponds to one of the reset conductive elements 8.

[0029] Accordingly, when the operating cover 2 is in the trigger position P1, the elastic member 6 corresponding to the pressing position of each reset plate 72 generates the elastic force, and the plurality of trigger plates 73 respectively push against the plurality of reset conductive members 8 to conduct charge to the external conductive component 13. Conversely, when the operating cover 2 is in the release position P2, the plurality of elastic members 6 release the elastic force to push against the plurality of reset plates 72, causing the plurality of trigger plates 73 to move away from the plurality of reset conductive members 8 and thus be unable to conduct charge.

[0030] Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 9, the positions of the plurality of reset conductive elements 8 correspond to the plurality of conductive trigger elements 7, and the plurality of reset conductive elements 8 can pass through the plurality of clearance holes H3 to selectively abut against and conduct charge to the external conductive component 13.

[0031] In other words, when the operating cover 2 is in the release position P2, each of the reset conductive elements 8 and the corresponding conductive trigger 7 and the external conductive component 13 are arranged at least one of them at intervals, so that the charge on the operating cover 2 cannot be conducted to the external conductive component 13 via the multiple reset conductive elements 8. Conversely, when the operating cover 2 is in the trigger position P1, the multiple reset conductive elements 8 receive the charge via the conductive trigger 7 and further conduct it to the external conductive component 13.

[0032] Preferably, each of the reset conductive elements 8 is arranged at intervals with the corresponding conductive trigger element 7 and the external conductive assembly 13. Furthermore, the shortest interval S1 along the thickness direction D1 between each of the reset conductive elements 8 and the corresponding conductive trigger element 7 (the trigger plate 73) can be greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect judgment when the operating cover 2 is rotated. Moreover, the shortest interval S2 along the thickness direction D1 between each of the reset conductive elements 8 and the external conductive assembly 13 (the conductive ring 132) can also be designed to be greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, thereby reducing coupling through air isolation.

[0033] In practice, each of the reset conductive elements 8 is defined as a pogo pin. Each pogo pin may be fixed to the annular post 43 and pass through the through hole H42, and a first end 81 of each pogo pin may be pushed by the conductive trigger 7, causing a second end 82 of each pogo pin to pass through the clearance hole H3 to electrically couple to the external conductive component 13. However, this invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] For example, in other embodiments of the present invention not shown, each of the reset conductive elements 8 may also be a conductive spring connected to the conductive trigger element 7, and each of the conductive springs has a first portion corresponding to the elastic element 6 and a second portion corresponding to the conductive ring 132. Accordingly, when the operating cover 2 is in the trigger position P1, each of the conductive trigger elements 7 drives the first portion to compress the elastic element 6 corresponding to the position to generate the elastic force, and each of the second portions contacts the conductive ring for electrical coupling.

[0035] [Technical Effects of the Embodiments of the Invention]

[0036] In summary, the knob device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can avoid the phenomenon of "ghost touch" or "false touch" by means of the design that "the operating cover can move between a trigger position and a release position along the thickness direction, and each of the reset conductive elements and the conductive trigger element corresponding to the position and at least one of the external conductive components are arranged at intervals", "when the operating cover is in the trigger position, the plurality of conductive trigger elements squeeze the plurality of elastic elements to generate an elastic force, and the plurality of conductive trigger elements push against the plurality of reset conductive elements to electrically couple with the external conductive components, so that the charge of the operating cover can be conducted to the external conductive components", and "when the operating cover is in the release position, the plurality of elastic elements release the elastic force to push the plurality of conductive trigger elements away from the plurality of reset conductive elements".

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the knob device of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the knob device of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the knob device of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 is another exploded view of the knob device of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the external conductive component of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along section line VI-VI in Figure 2.

[0044] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along section line VII-VII in Figure 2.

[0045] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 along section line VIII-VIII.

[0046] Figure 9 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a local area of ​​Figure 8.

[0047] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the present invention when the cover is in the trigger position.

Claims

1. A knob device, comprising: A base for mounting on a touch-enabled display panel, the base including an external conductive component and defining a thickness direction; An operating cover, pivotally mounted on the base, is rotatable relative to the base and movable along the thickness direction between a trigger position and a release position; an annular circuit board, disposed within the base, having a plurality of contacts arranged in a ring; a brake ring, fixed to the annular circuit board and connected to the operating cover, the brake ring being driven by the operating cover to rotate relative to the base; and a resistance member, fixed to the base and abutting against the brake ring. Multiple elastic elements are disposed on at least one of the brake ring and the annular circuit board; Multiple conductive triggers are fixed to the side of the operating cover facing the base, and the positions of the multiple conductive triggers correspond to the positions of the multiple elastic elements. Multiple reset conductive elements are disposed on the brake ring, and the positions of the multiple reset conductive elements correspond to the positions of the multiple conductive triggers. Each reset conductive element, along with its corresponding conductive trigger and at least one of the external conductive components, is spaced apart. When the operating cover is in the triggered position, the multiple conductive triggers compress the multiple elastic elements to generate an elastic force, and the multiple conductive triggers push against the multiple reset conductive elements to electrically couple with the external conductive components, allowing the charge of the operating cover to be conducted to the external conductive components. When the operating cover is in the released position, the multiple elastic elements release the elastic force to push the multiple conductive triggers away from the multiple reset conductive elements.

2. The knob device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the reset conductive elements and the corresponding conductive trigger elements are arranged at intervals with the external conductive components.

3. The knob device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The shortest interval between each reset conductive element and the corresponding conductive trigger element along the thickness direction is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, and the shortest interval between each reset conductive element and the external conductive component along the thickness direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm.

4. The knob device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the conductive triggering elements includes: a fixing plate, assembled to the side of the operating cover facing the base; and a reset plate, extending from the fixing plate, with a portion of the reset plate corresponding to one of the elastic elements. A trigger plate extends from the fixed plate and is located on one side of the reset plate, with a portion of the trigger plate corresponding to a reset conductive element; wherein, when the operation cover is in the trigger position, the elastic element corresponding to the pressing position of each reset plate generates the elastic force, and the plurality of trigger plates respectively push against the plurality of reset conductive elements to electrically couple the external conductive component; when the operation cover is in the release position, the plurality of elastic elements release the elastic force to push against the plurality of reset plates, causing the plurality of trigger plates to move away from the plurality of reset conductive elements.

5. The knob device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The external conductive component includes: a first exposed pad disposed on the side of the base away from the operating cover; a conductive ring disposed on the base; and a first conductive bridge disposed between the conductive ring and the first exposed pad, wherein the first conductive bridge is electrically coupled to the conductive ring and the first exposed pad; wherein, when the operating cover is in the triggered position, a plurality of reset conductive elements can contact the conductive ring to trigger the touch function display panel through the conductive ring and the first exposed pad.

6. The knob device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The first conductive bridge is defined as a conductive compression spring.

7. The knob device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The external conductive component includes: a plurality of second exposed pads disposed on the side of the base away from the operating cover and spaced apart from each other; a plurality of second conductive bridges disposed between the plurality of second exposed pads and the plurality of contacts, each second conductive bridge electrically coupling at least one of the contacts to at least one of the second exposed pads; wherein, when the operating cover rotates relative to the base, at least one of the contacts is electrically coupled to one of the second exposed pads through one of the second conductive bridges.

8. The knob device as claimed in claim 7, wherein, Each of the second conductive bridge components includes: a fixing plate fixed to the base; a first contact claw extending from the fixing plate toward the annular circuit board, the end of the first contact claw being able to spring against one of the plurality of contacts to electrically couple one of the contacts; and a second contact claw extending from the fixing plate toward the base, the end of the second contact claw being able to spring against one of the second exposed pads.

9. The knob device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The braking ring includes a body, multiple through holes, and multiple annular posts. Each through hole penetrates the body along the thickness direction, and the positions of the multiple through holes correspond to a conductive ring of the external conductive component. The multiple annular posts are respectively sleeved on the multiple through holes. Each reset conductive element is defined as a pogo pin. Each pogo pin is fixed on the annular post and passes through the through hole. A first end of each pogo pin can be pushed by the conductive trigger element, so that a second end of each pogo pin is electrically coupled to the external conductive component.

10. The knob device as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The brake ring also includes a plurality of mounting grooves disposed on the body, the plurality of mounting grooves being adjacent to a plurality of annular posts, and the plurality of elastic elements being disposed within the plurality of mounting grooves.