Touchpad device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a touch panel device, including a substrate, a reset member, a touch panel and a linkage assembly. The touch panel is arranged on the top surface of the substrate. The reset member is arranged between the substrate and the touch panel. The linkage assembly is arranged between the substrate and the touch panel, and the linkage assembly includes a first flexible plate, a second flexible plate and a swing plate, and the swing plate includes a first outer side and a first inner side, and the first outer side and the first inner side are respectively adjacent to one side of the touch panel and the reset member, the first flexible plate is connected between the first outer side and the touch panel, and the second flexible plate is connected between the first inner side and the reset member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device, and in particular to a touch panel device. Background Art

[0002] A touch pad is an input device widely used in computers. The touch pad is used to sense the movement or pressure of a user's finger to control the movement of a cursor (eg, displacement or clicking).

[0003] The currently known touch panel structure has a touch panel and a substrate. The touch panel has a pivot side and is pivotally fixed on the substrate. When the touch panel is pressed at a position away from the pivot side, the touch panel can swing down relative to the substrate with the pivot side as the axis to generate a corresponding signal.

[0004] However, when operating the touch pad, the user may not always accurately press the portion of the touch pad away from the pivot side. Therefore, when the user presses the pivot side of the touch pad or the area or corner adjacent to the pivot side, the touch pad cannot be smoothly moved down by the force and cannot generate a corresponding signal, causing operational problems and affecting the operating feel. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above, in one embodiment, a touch panel device is provided, including a substrate, a reset member, a touch panel and a linkage assembly. The substrate includes a top surface. The touch panel is arranged above the top surface of the substrate. The reset member is arranged between the substrate and the touch panel, and the reset member enables the touch panel to maintain a height position. The linkage assembly is arranged between the substrate and the touch panel. The linkage assembly includes a first flexible plate, a second flexible plate and a swing plate, the swing plate includes a first outer side and a first inner side, the first outer side and the first inner side are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to one side of the touch panel and the reset member, the first flexible plate is connected between the first outer side and the touch panel, and the second flexible plate is connected between the first inner side and the reset member.

[0006] In summary, according to the touch pad device of the embodiment of the present invention, the linkage component is arranged between the substrate and the touch pad, so that when any part of the touch pad (such as the corners or edges of the touch pad) is pressed during operation of the touch pad device, the touch pad and the reset member can be urged to approach and press against each other, thereby generating a pressing feel.

[0007] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the application of the touch panel device of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a touch panel device of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 is another exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Sectional view along line segment 4-4;

[0012] Figure 5 It is an operation diagram of the first embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a touch panel device of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 7 is another exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Sectional view along line segment 8-8;

[0016] Fig. 9 It is an operation diagram of the second embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention;

[0017] Fig.10 is a top view of a third embodiment of a touch panel device of the present invention;

[0018] Fig.11 It is a partially enlarged three-dimensional view of the third embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention.

[0019] Wherein, the reference numerals are:

[0020] N: Laptop

[0021] 1,2: Touchpad device

[0022] 10,20:Substrate

[0023] 101,201: Top

[0024] 102: First stopper

[0025] 103: Second stopper

[0026] 104a~104d,204a~204d: elastic body

[0027] 11: Baffle

[0028] 21a, 21b: pivot seat

[0029] 211: Base

[0030] 212: T-type fixing

[0031] 12,22: Reset parts

[0032] 13,23: Touch panel

[0033] 131,231: Bottom surface

[0034] 132,232: Outer ring

[0035] 1321,2321: first side

[0036] 1322,2322: Second side

[0037] 1323,2323: The third side

[0038] 1324,2324: The fourth side

[0039] 133,233: Touch substrate

[0040] 134,234: Circuit board

[0041] 135,235: Trigger switch

[0042] 14,24: Ring frame

[0043] 141: first stopper

[0044] 142: Second stopper

[0045] 15,25: Linkage components

[0046] 151,251: first flexible board

[0047] 1511, 2511: first flexible portion

[0048] 1512,2512: First stress reduction structure

[0049] 152,252: Second flexible board

[0050] 1521, 2521: second flexible portion

[0051] 1522,2522: Second stress reduction structure

[0052] 153,253: Swinging board

[0053] 1531,2531: First outer side

[0054] 1532,2532: First inner side

[0055] 1533,2533:First side

[0056] 1534,2534: Second side

[0057] 2535:Fixed part

[0058] 154: External limit plate

[0059] 155: Internal limit plate

[0060] 16,26: Linkage components

[0061] 161,261: Third flexible board

[0062] 1611,2611: Third flexible portion

[0063] 1612,2612: Third stress reduction structure

[0064] 162,262: Fourth flexible board

[0065] 1621,2621: Fourth flexible portion

[0066] 1622,2622: Fourth stress reduction structure

[0067] 163,263: Swing board

[0068] 1631,2631: second outer side

[0069] 1632,2632: Second inner side

[0070] 1633,2633: The third side

[0071] 1634,2634: The fourth side

[0072] 2635:Fixed part

[0073] L1, L2: Arrow DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The structural principle and working principle of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0075] It should be noted that in the description of each embodiment, the so-called "first", "second", and "third" are used to describe different elements, and these elements are not limited by such terms. In the description of each embodiment, the so-called "coupling" or "connection" may refer to two or more elements making direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or making indirect physical or electrical contact with each other, and "coupling" or "connection" may also refer to two or more elements operating or moving with each other. In addition, for the convenience and clarity of the description, the thickness or size of each element in the drawings is expressed in an exaggerated, omitted or schematic manner for the understanding and reading of people familiar with this art, and the size of each element is not completely its actual size, and is not used to limit the limiting conditions that the present invention can implement, so it has no technical substantive significance. Any structural modification, change in proportional relationship or adjustment of size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed by the present invention without affecting the effect that the present invention can produce and the purpose that can be achieved. The same reference numerals will be used to represent the same or similar elements in all drawings.

[0076] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the application of the touch panel device of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a touch panel device of the present invention, Figure 3 is another exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention, Figure 4 for Figure 2 The cross-sectional view along line segment 4-4 is as follows: Figure 5 FIG. 1 is an operation diagram of the first embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the touchpad device 1 (such as a Touchpad or Trackpad) can be applied to computer products, and the user can operate the touchpad device 1 by sliding or pressing the finger to control the displacement of the cursor or generate a corresponding control signal. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the touch panel device 1 is applied to a notebook computer N. However, this is not limited. In other embodiments, the touch panel device 1 can also be applied to other portable computers (such as tablet computers). Alternatively, the touch panel device 1 can also be an independent device and externally connected to a portable computer, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0077] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel device 1 includes a substrate 10, a reset member 12, a touch panel 13 and a linkage assembly 15. The substrate 10 can be a hard plate made of metal (such as iron, aluminum or alloy, etc.) or plastic. Here, the substrate 10 is located at the bottom layer of the touch panel device 1 and has a top surface 101. The reset member 12, the touch panel 13 and the linkage assembly 15 are all arranged above the top surface 101.

[0078] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the reset member 12 is disposed on the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. In this embodiment, the reset member 12 is fixed (for example, by bonding, riveting, locking or welding) at the center of the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, but this is not limited to the above. The reset member 12 can also be fixed at other positions of the top surface 101 (for example, at the edge of the top surface 101 close to the substrate 10), depending on actual product requirements. In some embodiments, the reset member 12 can be a rubber dome, a metal dome, a spring, a spring, or a magnetic member.

[0079] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the touch panel 13 is disposed above the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. In this embodiment, the touch panel 13 includes a touch substrate 133 and a circuit board 134 that are stacked and fixed to each other, and the circuit board 134 is closer to the substrate 10 relative to the touch substrate 133. The touch substrate 133 is for the user to touch or press the operation. The circuit board 134 can generate functions such as scrolling, zooming in, zooming out, or opening a window in response to the user's finger sliding or gesture on the touch substrate 133, or the circuit board 134 can generate functions such as selection or displaying a menu in response to the user's finger pressing or double-clicking on the touch substrate 133. In some embodiments, the touch substrate 133 can be a plate made of glass or mylar.

[0080] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the touch pad 13 includes a bottom surface 131 and a trigger switch 135, wherein the bottom surface 131 is the surface of the circuit board 134 facing the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, and the trigger switch 135 is disposed on the bottom surface 131, and the reset member 12 is between the substrate 10 and the touch pad 13. In this embodiment, the reset member 12 is an elastic member and corresponds to the trigger switch 135 to keep the touch pad 13 at a certain height, but this is not limited. When the touch pad 13 is pressed and descends relative to the substrate 10, the trigger switch 135 can press the reset member 12 accordingly, so that the reset member 12 accumulates elastic force, and the trigger switch 135 is triggered to generate a signal, and when the touch pad 13 is released, it can rise and return to the above-mentioned height position by the elastic force accumulated by the reset member 12.

[0081] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the bottom surface 131 of the touch pad 13 includes an outer circumference 132, and the outer circumference 132 includes a first side 1321, a second side 1322, a third side 1323 and a fourth side 1324. The first side 1321 and the second side 1322 are located on opposite sides, the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 are located on opposite sides, the first side 1321 is connected to the second side 1322 and the fourth side 1324, and the second side 1322 is connected to the second side 1322 and the fourth side 1324.

[0082] In some embodiments, the touch panel device 1 may include at least one set of linkage components, and the linkage components may be used to guide the touch panel 13 to move up and down relative to the substrate 10. Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the touch panel device 1 includes two sets of linkage components (a linkage component 15 and another linkage component 16), the linkage component 15 and the linkage component 16 are respectively disposed between the substrate 10 and the touch panel 13, and the reset member 12 is located between the linkage component 15 and the linkage component 16. The linkage component 15 includes a first flexible plate 151, a second flexible plate 152 and a swing plate 153. In some embodiments, the swing plate 153 may be in a triangular, quadrilateral, trapezoidal, polygonal, H-shaped, U-shaped or other irregular shapes. In the present embodiment, the swing plate 153 is polygonal and includes a first outer side 1531, a first inner side 1532, a first side 1533, and a second side 1534 connected to each other. The first outer side 1531 and the first inner side 1532 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the first side 1321 of the touch pad 13 and the reset member 12. The first side 1533 and the second side 1534 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 of the touch pad 13. That is, three sides of the swing plate 153 (the first outer side 1531, the first side 1533, and the second side 1534) are adjacent to the outer circumference 132 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch pad 13, and the first inner side 1532 is adjacent to the reset member 12.

[0083] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the first flexible plate 151 of the linkage assembly 15 is connected between the first outer side 1531 of the swing plate 153 and the first side 1321 of the touch-pressure plate 13, and the second flexible plate 152 is connected between the first inner side 1532 of the swing plate 153 and the reset member 12. In some embodiments, the second flexible plate 152 may also be connected between the first inner side 1532 of the swing plate 153 and the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, and the reset member 12 is disposed on the top surface 101. Specifically, the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152 may be plates made of flexible materials, for example, the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152 may be elastic thin plates made of plastic or metal with foldability, and the swing plate 153 may be a hard plate made of plastic or metal, but this is not limited. In other words, the rigidity of the swing plate 153 is greater than the rigidity of the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152. For example, the thickness of the swing plate 153 may be greater than the thickness of the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152, so that the rigidity of the swing plate 153 may be greater than the rigidity of the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152. Thus, the first outer side 1531 of the swing plate 153 can move relative to the touch-pressure plate 13 through the flexibility of the first flexible plate 151, and the first inner side 1532 of the swing plate 153 can move relative to the substrate 10 through the flexibility of the second flexible plate 152. In some embodiments, the first flexible plate 151, the second flexible plate 152 and the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15 may also be an integrally formed structure.

[0084] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, in this embodiment, the touch panel device 1 further includes an annular frame 14, wherein the annular frame 14 can be a hard plate body made of metal or plastic. The annular frame 14 is fixed to the outer circumference 132 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch panel 13, and one side of the first flexible plate 151 is fixed (for example, by bonding, riveting, locking or welding, and all components of the embodiment of the present invention can be fixed by the above methods, which will not be repeated later) to the annular frame 14, so as to be indirectly fixed to the first side 1321 of the touch panel 13 through the annular frame 14, but one side of the first flexible plate 151 can also be directly fixed to the first side 1321 of the touch panel 13, which is not limited to this, and the other side of the first flexible plate 151 is fixed to the first outer side 1531 of the swing plate 153, and the part between the two sides of the first flexible plate 151 that is not fixed forms a first flexible portion 1511 and can be subjected to force to produce elastic bending deformation. One side of the second flexible plate 152 is connected and fixed to the first inner side 1532 of the swing plate 153, and the other side of the second flexible plate 152 is connected and fixed to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. The unfixed portion between the two sides of the second flexible plate 152 forms a second flexible portion 1521 that can be subjected to force and produce elastic bending deformation. In some embodiments, the reset member 12 is further fixed to the second flexible plate 152 and indirectly fixed to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, but the reset member 12 can also be directly fixed to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, which is not limited.

[0085] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, another set of linkage components 16 has a similar structure to the linkage components 15 . For example, the linkage components 15 and 16 are symmetrically arranged with the reset member 12 as the center. In the present embodiment, the linkage assembly 16 includes a third flexible plate 161, a fourth flexible plate 162 and another swing plate 163. The swing plate 163 includes a second outer side 1631, a second inner side 1632, a third side 1633 and a fourth side 1634 connected to each other. The second outer side 1631 and the second inner side 1632 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the second side 1322 of the touch pad 13 and the restoring member 12. The third side 1633 and the fourth side 1634 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 of the touch pad 13. That is, three sides of the swing plate 163 (the second outer side 1631, the third side 1633 and the fourth side 1634) are adjacent to the outer circumference 132 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch pad 13, and the second inner side 1632 is adjacent to the restoring member 12. In some embodiments, the fourth flexible plate 162 of the linkage assembly 16 and the second flexible plate 152 of the linkage assembly 15 may be an integral structure (eg, Figure 3 as shown) or a separate structure.

[0086] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the third flexible plate 161 of the linkage assembly 16 is connected between the second outer side 1631 of the swing plate 163 and the second side 1322 of the touch plate 13, and the fourth flexible plate 162 is connected between the second inner side 1632 and the reset member 12. In this embodiment, one side of the third flexible plate 161 can be fixed to the annular frame 14, so as to be indirectly connected and fixed to the second side 1322 of the touch plate 13 via the annular frame 14, but one side of the third flexible plate 161 can also be directly fixed to the second side 1322 of the touch plate 13, which is not limited to this. The other side of the third flexible plate 161 is fixed to the second outer side 1631 of the swing plate 153, and the unfixed portion between the two sides of the third flexible plate 161 forms a third flexible portion 1611, which can be subjected to force to generate elastic bending deformation. One side of the fourth flexible plate 162 is connected and fixed to the second inner side 1632 of the swing plate 163, and the other side of the fourth flexible plate 162 is connected and fixed to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. The unfixed portion between the two sides of the fourth flexible plate 162 forms a fourth flexible portion 1621 that can be subjected to force and produce elastic bending deformation. In some embodiments, the third flexible plate 161, the fourth flexible plate 162 and the swing plate 163 of the linkage assembly 16 can also be an integrally formed structure.

[0087] By this, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, since at least one side of the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15 and at least one side of the swing plate 163 of the linkage assembly 16 are adjacent to the outer circumference 132 of the touch plate 13, and the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15 and the swing plate 163 of the linkage assembly 16 are connected to the touch plate 13, when any part of the touch plate 13 (such as each corner or each edge of the touch plate 13) is pressed, the trigger switch 135 and the reset member 12 can be brought close to and pressed against each other through the linkage assemblies 15 and 16, thereby generating a signal and a pressing feeling. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, when the touch panel 13 is pressed near the corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage component 15 (as shown by arrow L1), the linkage component 15 can drive the touch panel 13 to descend and approach the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. Specifically, the pressing force can be transmitted to the second flexible plate 152 through the first flexible plate 151 to link the swing plate 153. Since the second flexible plate 152 is fixed to the substrate 10 to form a fulcrum, the swing plate 153 can swing relative to the substrate 10 with the fulcrum as the center and based on the flexibility of the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152, so as to drive the touch panel 13 to descend and approach the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, so that the trigger switch 135 on the touch panel 13 presses downward against the reset member 12 to accumulate elastic force or restoring force to generate a pressing feeling, and the trigger switch 135 can be triggered by the reset member 12 to generate a corresponding signal. Similarly, when the touch panel 13 is pressed near a corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage component 16, the pressing force can drive the linkage component 16 to swing, thereby driving the touch panel 13 to descend close to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, so that the trigger switch 135 presses against the reset member 12 to accumulate elastic force and generate a pressing feel and a corresponding signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0088] For example Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when the area of ​​the touch panel 13 close to the trigger switch 135 is pressed, the pressing force can directly drive the touch panel 13 to descend toward the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, so that the trigger switch 135 on the substrate 10 presses the reset member 12 downward, and the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15 and the swing plate 163 of the linkage assembly 16 are also forced to swing at the same time. It can be seen from the above description that when any part of the touch panel 13 is pressed, the touch panel 13 can be smoothly descended to generate a pressing feel and a corresponding signal, thereby improving the operating feel and comfort of the touch panel device 1.

[0089] In some embodiments, the touch panel device 1 may include only one set of linkage components 15 depending on the size of the product. For example, the restoring member 12 may be fixed to the top surface 101 of the substrate 10 and adjacent to one of the side edges (e.g., the second side edge 1322) of the touch panel 13. The first outer side 1531, the first side 1533, and the second side 1534 of the linkage component 15 are adjacent to the first side edge 1321, the third side edge 1323, and the fourth side edge 1324 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch panel 13, respectively. The first inner side 1532 of the linkage component 15 is adjacent to the restoring member 12. Thus, when the touch panel 13 is pressed near a corner, edge, or region of the linkage component 15, the touch panel 13 may be driven downward by the linkage component 15, so that the trigger switch 135 on the touch panel 13 and the restoring member 12 are close to and pressed against each other, thereby triggering the trigger switch 135 and generating a signal. When the touch panel 13 is pressed near the reset member 12 and the second side 1322, the touch panel 13 can be directly driven to move downward, so that the trigger switch 135 on the touch panel 13 and the reset member 12 are close to each other and pressed against each other, and then the trigger switch 135 is triggered and generates a signal. Therefore, the touch panel device 1 is only provided with one set of linkage components 15, and can also achieve that when any part of the touch panel 13 is pressed, the touch panel 13 can be moved downward to generate a pressing feeling and a corresponding signal.

[0090] In addition, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the annular frame 14 is fixed to the outer circumference 132 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch pad 13. In addition to improving the overall structural strength of the touch pad 13, when one side of the outer circumference 132 of the touch pad 13 is pressed, the pressing force can also be transmitted to the other side of the outer circumference 132 more quickly through the annular frame 14 to drive the above-mentioned linkage components 15 and 16 to operate, thereby improving the reliability of the touch pad device 1 in operation.

[0091] For example Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152 may be elongated plates, but are not limited to elongated plates, and the two ends of the first flexible plate 151 and the two ends of the second flexible plate 152 extend to the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 of the touch plate 13, respectively, so that the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 of the touch plate 13 can achieve a better linkage effect when the third side 1323 and the fourth side 1324 of the touch plate 13 are pressed. In some embodiments, the shapes of the first flexible plate 151 and the second flexible plate 152 may also be triangular, quadrilateral, trapezoidal, polygonal, H-shaped, U-shaped or other irregular shapes.

[0092] In some embodiments, at least one elastic body may be disposed on the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, here, the top surface 101 is provided with four elastic bodies 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d, wherein two elastic bodies 104a and 104b elastically abut against the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15, and the other two elastic bodies 104c and 104d elastically abut against the swing plate 163 of the linkage assembly 16. The elastic bodies 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d abut against the swing plates 153 and 163 respectively, so that the touch plate 13 can be maintained at the above-mentioned height position. At the same time, when the touch plate 13 is pressed down and approaches the substrate 10, the swing plate 153 can press against the elastic bodies 104a and 104b to accumulate elastic force, and the swing plate 163 can press against the elastic bodies 104c and 104d to accumulate elastic force. When the touch plate 13 is released, the touch plate 13 can rise and return to the above height position more quickly with the help of the elastic forces accumulated by the four elastic bodies 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d, and the touch plate 13 can be more stable during the lifting process. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the touch panel 13 is not pressed, the elastic body 104b presses against the swing plate 153, so that the touch panel 13 is maintained at the above height position. When the touch panel 13 is pressed near the corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage assembly 15 (as shown by arrow L1) and moves down close to the substrate 10, the touch panel 13 drives the swing plate 153 to press against the elastic body 104b, and the elastic body 104b can accumulate elastic force (as shown by arrow L2). Figure 5 When the touch plate 13 is released, with the help of the elastic force accumulated by the elastic body 104b, the elastic body 104b pushes against the swing plate 153 to rise, thereby driving the touch plate 13 to rise and return to the above height position (as shown). Figure 4 In some embodiments, the elastic bodies 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may be rubber domes, metal domes, springs, springs, or mechanical switches, for example. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic bodies 104 a , 104 b , 104 c , and 104 d are all spring sheets and are assembled and fixed on the top surface 101 of the substrate 10 .

[0093] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, the first flexible portion 1511 of the first flexible plate 151 of the linkage component 15 is further provided with a first stress reducing structure 1512, wherein the first stress reducing structure 1512 includes a plurality of perforations arranged in a row, and the second flexible portion 1521 of the second flexible plate 152 is provided with a second stress reducing structure 1522, wherein the second stress reducing structure 1522 includes a plurality of perforations arranged in a row; the third flexible portion 1611 of the third flexible plate 161 of the linkage component 16 is further provided with a third stress reducing structure 1612, wherein the third stress reducing structure 1612 includes a plurality of perforations arranged in a row, and the fourth flexible portion 1621 of the fourth flexible plate 162 is provided with a fourth stress reducing structure 1622, wherein the fourth stress reducing structure 1622 includes a plurality of perforations arranged in a row. Thus, when the linkage components 15 and 16 are subjected to force and the first flexible portion 1511, the second flexible portion 1521, the third flexible portion 1611 and the fourth flexible portion 1621 are elastically bent and deformed, stress concentration can be reduced based on the first stress reduction structure 1512, the second stress reduction structure 1522, the third stress reduction structure 1612 and the fourth stress reduction structure 1622, thereby preventing the touch panel 13 from being subjected to excessive resistance during actuation and affecting the operating feel.

[0094] However, the first stress reducing structure 1512, the second stress reducing structure 1522, the third stress reducing structure 1612 and the fourth stress reducing structure 1622 are not limited to perforated structures. The first stress reducing structure 1512, the second stress reducing structure 1522, the third stress reducing structure 1612 and the fourth stress reducing structure 1622 may also be grooves, slits or press lines respectively, and the purpose of reducing stress concentration can also be achieved.

[0095] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, in some embodiments, at least one outer limiting plate 154 (here, two outer limiting plates 154 are adjacent to both ends of the first outer side 1531) is convexly provided on the first outer side 1531 of the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15, and the two outer limiting plates 154 abut against the bottom surface 131 of the touch plate 13. At least one inner limiting plate 155 (here, two inner limiting plates 155 are adjacent to both ends of the first inner side 1532) is convexly provided on the first inner side 1532 of the swing plate 153, and the two inner limiting plates 155 abut against the top surface 101 of the substrate 10. Thus, when the touch plate 13 is at the above height position, the stability of the touch plate 13 can be improved based on the abutment and limitation of the outer limiting plates 154 and the inner limiting plates 155, and the shaking of the touch plate 13 can be avoided.

[0096] like Figures 2 to 5As shown, in some embodiments, the top surface 101 of the substrate 10 is further provided with a baffle 11, and the inner limit plate 155 is located between the baffle 11 and the top surface 101 of the substrate 10, so that the inner limit plate 155 can be limited between the baffle 11 and the top surface 101 of the substrate 10 during the swinging process of the swing plate 153 of the linkage assembly 15, so as to prevent the swing plate 153 from exceeding the predetermined swing amplitude and enhance the stability of the swing plate 153 during the swinging process, and further enhance the stability of the touch plate 13 during the lifting process. In addition, in some embodiments, the reset member 12 can be further disposed on the baffle 11.

[0097] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a touch panel device of the present invention, Figure 7 is another exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention, Figure 8 for Figure 6 The cross-sectional view along line segment 8-8, Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of the second embodiment of the touch panel device of the present invention. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel device 2 includes a substrate 20 , a restoring member 22 , a touch panel 23 and two linkage components 25 , 26 .

[0098] The same or similar aspects of this embodiment as the first embodiment are as follows:

[0099] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the substrate 20 includes a top surface 201, and the reset member 22 is disposed on the top surface 201 of the substrate 20. In this embodiment, the reset member 22 is located at the center of the top surface 201, but this is not limited. The touch pad 23 is disposed above the top surface 201 of the substrate 20. The touch pad 23 includes a bottom surface 231 and a trigger switch 235. The touch pad 23 includes a touch substrate 233 and a circuit board 234 stacked and fixed to each other. The bottom surface 231 is the surface of the circuit board 234 facing the substrate 20. The trigger switch 235 is disposed on the bottom surface 231. In this embodiment, the reset member 22 is an elastic member and corresponds to the trigger switch 235 to keep the touch pad 23 at a certain height, but this is not limited. The bottom surface 231 includes an outer circumference 232 including a first side 2321, a second side 2322, a third side 2323 and a fourth side 2324 connected to each other. The first side 2321 and the second side 2322 are located at opposite sides, and the third side 2323 and the fourth side 2324 are located at opposite sides.

[0100] like Figures 6 to 8As shown, the linkage assembly 25 is disposed between the substrate 20 and the touch pad 23. The linkage assembly 25 can be used to guide the touch pad 23 to move up and down relative to the substrate 20. The linkage assembly 25 includes a first flexible plate 251, a second flexible plate 252 and a swing plate 253. In some embodiments, the swing plate 253 may be in a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, a trapezoid shape, a polygon shape, an H shape, a U shape or other irregular shapes. In this embodiment, the swing plate 253 is a polygon and includes a first outer side 2531, a first inner side 2532, a first side 2533 and a second side 2534 connected to each other. The first outer side 2531 and the first inner side 2532 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the first side 2321 and the reset member 22. The first side 2533 and the second side 2534 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the third side 2323 and the fourth side 2324. The first flexible plate 251 is connected between the first outer side 2531 and the first side 2321. The unfixed portion between the two sides of the first flexible plate 251 forms a first flexible portion 2511 that can be elastically bent and deformed by force. The second flexible plate 252 is connected between the first inner side 2532 and the reset member 22. The unfixed portion between the two sides of the second flexible plate 252 forms a second flexible portion 2521 that can be elastically bent and deformed by force. In some embodiments, the first flexible plate 251, the second flexible plate 252 and the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 can also be an integrally formed structure.

[0101] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the touch panel device 2 further includes an annular frame 24 fixed to the outer circumference 232 of the bottom surface 231 of the touch panel 23 . One side of the first flexible board 251 is fixed to the annular frame 24 to be indirectly fixed to the first side edge 2321 of the touch panel 23 via the annular frame 24 .

[0102] like Figures 6 to 8As shown, the touch panel device 2 may further include another linkage component 26, for example, the linkage component 25 and the linkage component 26 may be symmetrically arranged with the reset member 22 as the center. In this embodiment, the linkage component 26 is similar in structure to the linkage component 25, and the linkage component 26 includes a third flexible plate 261, a fourth flexible plate 262 and a swing plate 263. The swing plate 263 includes a second outer side 2631, a second inner side 2632, a third side 2633 and a fourth side 2634 connected to each other, the second outer side 2631 and the second inner side 2632 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the second side 2322 and the reset member 22, and the third side 2633 and the fourth side 2634 are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the third side 2323 and the fourth side 2324. The third flexible plate 261 is connected between the second outer side 2631 and the second side 2322, and the third flexible plate 261 has a third flexible portion 2611 formed between the two sides thereof, which can be subjected to force and produce elastic bending and deformation. In some embodiments, one side of the third flexible plate 261 can be fixed to the annular frame 24, so as to be indirectly connected and fixed to the second side 2322 of the touch pad 23 via the annular frame 24, but one side of the third flexible plate 261 can also be directly fixed to the second side 2322 of the touch pad 23, which is not limited. The fourth flexible plate 262 is connected between the second inner side 2632 and the reset member 22, and the fourth flexible plate 262 has a fourth flexible portion 2621 formed between the two sides thereof, which can be subjected to force and produce elastic bending and deformation. In some embodiments, the third flexible plate 261, the fourth flexible plate 262 and the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26 can also be an integrally formed structure.

[0103] In some embodiments, at least one elastic body may be disposed on the top surface 201 of the substrate 20. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, here, the top surface 201 is provided with four elastic bodies 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, wherein two elastic bodies 204a, 204b elastically abut against the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25, and the other two elastic bodies 204c, 204d elastically abut against the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26.

[0104] like Figures 6 to 8As shown, the first flexible portion 2511 of the first flexible plate 251 of the linkage assembly 25 is further provided with a first stress reducing structure 2512, and the second flexible portion 2521 of the second flexible plate 252 is provided with a second stress reducing structure 2522; the third flexible portion 2611 of the third flexible plate 261 of the linkage assembly 26 is provided with a third stress reducing structure 2612, and the fourth flexible portion 2621 of the fourth flexible plate 262 is provided with a fourth stress reducing structure 2622. In some embodiments, the first stress reducing structure 2512, the second stress reducing structure 2522, the third stress reducing structure 2612 and the fourth stress reducing structure 2622 may be structures such as perforations, grooves, slits or press lines, so that when the first flexible portion 2511, the second flexible portion 2521, the third flexible portion 2611 or the fourth flexible portion 2621 is subjected to force and elastically bends and deforms, stress concentration can be reduced to prevent the touch panel 23 from being subjected to excessive resistance during actuation and affecting the operating feel.

[0105] The differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are at least as follows:

[0106] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, at least one fulcrum seat is provided on the top surface 201 of the substrate 20. In this embodiment, two fulcrum seats 21a and two fulcrum seats 21b are provided on the top surface 201. The two fulcrum seats 21a and the two fulcrum seats 21b are respectively located on two opposite sides of the reset member 22, and the two fulcrum seats 21a are arranged at intervals from each other, and the two fulcrum seats 21b are arranged at intervals from each other. The swing plate 253 includes at least one fixing portion 2535 (here, two fixing portions 2535), the two fixing portions 2535 are located between the first outer side 2531 and the first inner side 2532 and are respectively fixed to the two fulcrum seats 21a. The reset member 22 is connected and fixed to the second flexible plate 252 of the linkage assembly 25 but is not fixed to the substrate 20. The second flexible plate 252 of the linkage assembly 25 is also not fixed to the substrate 20. The linkage assembly 25 can swing around the fulcrum seat 21a as the center, and the reset member 22 moves closer to or away from the trigger switch 235 through the second flexible plate 252. The other swing plate 263 includes at least one fixing portion 2635 (here, two fixing portions 2635), the two fixing portions 2635 are located between the second outer side 2631 and the second inner side 2632 and are fixed to the two fulcrum seats 21b, respectively. The reset member 22 is connected and fixed to the fourth flexible plate 262 of the linkage assembly 26 but is not fixed to the base plate 20, and the fourth flexible plate 262 is also not fixed to the base plate 20. The linkage assembly 26 can swing around the fulcrum seat 21b, and the reset member 22 is moved closer to or away from the trigger switch 235 through the fourth flexible plate 262.

[0107] By this, Figures 6 to 9As shown, since at least one side of the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 and at least one side of the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26 are adjacent to the outer circumference 232 of the touch plate 23, and the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 and the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26 are connected to the touch plate 23, when any part of the touch plate 23 (such as each corner or each edge of the touch plate 23) is pressed, the trigger switch 235 and the reset member 22 can be brought close to and pressed against each other through the linkage assemblies 25 and 26, thereby generating a signal and a pressing feeling. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, in the present embodiment, when the touch plate 23 is pressed near a corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage component 25 (as shown by arrow L2), the pressing force can drive the reset member 22 to rise and approach the touch plate 23 via the linkage component 25. Specifically, the pressing force can be transmitted to the second flexible plate 252 via the first flexible plate 251 linking the swing plate 253. Based on the lever principle and the flexibility of the first flexible plate 251 and the second flexible plate 252, the swing plate 253 can swing around the fulcrum seat 21a to drive the second flexible plate 252 and the reset member 22 to rise and approach the touch plate 23, and the touch plate 23 is pressed and descends toward the substrate 20, so that the reset member 22 presses upward against the trigger switch 235 on the touch plate 23 and accumulates elastic force to generate a pressing feel, and the trigger switch 235 can be triggered by the reset member 22 to generate a corresponding signal. Similarly, when the touch panel 23 is pressed near a corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage component 26, the pressing force can drive the linkage component 26 to swing around the fulcrum seat 21b, thereby driving the fourth flexible plate 262 and the reset member 22 to rise toward the touch panel 23, so that the reset member 22 presses upward against the trigger switch 235 on the touch panel 23 and accumulates elastic force to generate a pressing feel and a corresponding signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0108] In addition, the elastic bodies 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d respectively press against the swing plates 253 and 263, so that the touch plate 23 can be maintained at the above height position. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the touch panel 23 is not pressed, the elastic body 204b presses against the swing plate 253, so that the touch panel 23 is maintained at the above height position. When the touch panel 23 is pressed near the corner, edge or area of ​​the linkage assembly 25 (as shown by arrow L2) and moves down close to the substrate 20, the touch panel 23 drives the swing plate 253 to press against the elastic body 204b, and the elastic body 204b can accumulate elastic force (as shown by arrow L3). Fig. 9 When the touch plate 23 is released, with the help of the elastic force accumulated by the elastic body 204b, the elastic body 204b pushes against the swing plate 253 to rise, thereby driving the touch plate 23 to rise and return to the above height position (as shown). Figure 8 shown).

[0109] like Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the shortest distance from the fixed portion 2535 of the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 to the first outer side 2531 is greater than the shortest distance from the fixed portion 2535 to the first inner side 2532, that is, the force arm from the first outer side 2531 to the fulcrum seat 21a is greater than the force arm from the first inner side 2532 to the fulcrum seat 21a, so that when the portion of the touch-pressure plate 23 close to the first outer side 2531 is pressed, it can save more effort. In some embodiments, the linkage assembly 26 can also have the same effort-saving design, that is, the shortest distance from the fixed portion 2635 of the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26 to the first outer side 2631 is greater than the shortest distance from the fixed portion 2635 to the first inner side 2632, which will not be repeated here.

[0110] like Figures 6 to 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the fixing portion 2535 of the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 and the fixing portion 2635 of the swing plate 263 of the linkage assembly 26 can be through holes. The fulcrum seat 21a has the same structure as the fulcrum seat 21b. Taking one of the fulcrum seats 21a as an example, the fulcrum seat 21a includes a base 211 and a T-shaped fixing member 212. The base 211 is fixed to the top surface 201 of the substrate 20, and the T-shaped fixing member 212 is penetrated through the fixing portion 2535 and assembled to the base 211. The T-shaped fixing member 212 includes a head 213, and the distance between the head 213 and the base 211 is greater than the thickness of the swing plate 253, so that the area of ​​the swing plate 253 of the linkage assembly 25 between the head 213 and the base 211 is not fixed, so that the swing plate 253 as a whole can be subjected to force and swing relative to the fulcrum seat 21a. In some embodiments, the fulcrum seat 21b and the fixing portion 2635 of the linkage assembly 26 may also cooperate in the above-mentioned manner, which will not be repeated here.

[0111] In some embodiments, the touch panel device 1 of the first embodiment and the touch panel device 2 of the second embodiment may further include a stop structure to limit the height of the touch panels 13 and 23 to prevent the touch panels 13 and 23 from tilting on one side when a force is applied. Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown, taking the touch panel device 1 as an example, the top surface 101 of the substrate 10 is provided with at least one first stopper 102 and at least one second stopper 103, wherein the number of the first stoppers 102 is two and they are respectively adjacent to two corners and the first side 1321 of the touch panel 13, the number of the second stoppers 103 is two and they are respectively adjacent to the other two corners and the second side 1322 of the touch panel 13, and the touch panel 13 is stopped and limited by the two first stoppers 102 and the two second stoppers 103 when it is at the aforementioned height position. Thus, when any side of the touch panel 13 is pressed, one side will not be lifted up. For example, when the first side 1321 of the touch panel 13 is pressed down, the second side 1322 will be stopped and limited by the second stopper 103 to prevent it from lifting up, so that the pressure of the first side 1321 can be quickly transmitted to the second side 1322 to drive the entire touch panel 13 to be lowered together, thereby triggering the trigger switch 135. In some embodiments, the first stopper 102 and the second stopper 103 can be folded plates that are integrally bent from the substrate 10.

[0112] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, in some embodiments, the annular frame 14 (see FIG. 1 ) fixed to the outer circumference 132 of the bottom surface 131 of the touch plate 13 Figure 3 The touch panel 13 may include at least one first stop portion 141 and at least one second stop portion 142. When the touch panel 13 is at the height position, the first stop portion 141 abuts against the first stop member 102, and the second stop portion 142 abuts against the second stop member 103. Fig.11 As shown, in this embodiment, the first stopper 141 is a convex rib protruding from the periphery of the annular frame 14, and the first stopper 102 is a U-shaped folded plate integrally bent from the substrate 10. When the touch-pressure plate 13 is at the above height position, the first stopper 141 can be correspondingly hooked on the first stopper 102 to achieve a limiting effect. In some embodiments, the second stopper 142 and the second stopper 103 can also be the same or similar structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0113] In summary, according to the touch panel device of the embodiment of the present invention, the swing plate of the linkage assembly is connected with the touch panel and the substrate, so that when any part of the touch panel (such as each corner or each edge of the touch panel) is pressed during the operation of the touch panel device, the trigger switch can be triggered to generate a signal. Furthermore, the reset member and the elastic body can be arranged to provide a pressing feel.

[0114] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make various corresponding changes and modifications based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch panel device, characterized in that: include: a substrate, including a top surface; A touch panel is disposed above the top surface of the substrate; A reset member is disposed between the substrate and the touch plate, and the reset member enables the touch plate to maintain a certain height position; as well as A linkage assembly is arranged between the substrate and the touch pad, and includes a first flexible plate, a second flexible plate and a swing plate. The swing plate includes a first outer side and a first inner side. The first outer side and the first inner side are located on opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to one side of the touch pad and the reset member. The first flexible plate is connected between the first outer side and the touch pad, and the second flexible plate is connected between the first inner side and the reset member.

2. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch-pressure plate comprises a bottom surface and a trigger switch, the trigger switch is arranged on the bottom surface, and the reset element corresponds to the trigger switch.

3. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One side of the second flexible board is fixed to the first inner side, and the other side of the second flexible board is fixed to the top surface of the substrate.

4. The touch panel device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The resetting component is fixed on the second flexible plate.

5. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the substrate is provided with a fulcrum seat, the swing plate includes a fixing portion, the fixing portion is fixed to the fulcrum seat, and the linkage assembly can selectively swing around the fulcrum seat as the center to make the reset member move closer to or away from the touch plate.

6. The touch panel device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixing portion of the swing plate of the linkage assembly is a through hole, and the fulcrum seat includes a base and a T-shaped fixing piece, the base is fixed to the top surface of the base plate, the T-shaped fixing piece is passed through the through hole and assembled to the base, and the T-shaped fixing piece includes a head, and the distance between the head and the base is greater than the thickness of the swing plate.

7. The touch panel device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixing portion of the swing plate is between the first outer side and the first inner side, and the shortest distance from the fixing portion to the first outer side is greater than the shortest distance from the fixing portion to the first inner side.

8. The touch panel device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The resetting component is fixed on the second flexible plate.

9. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The touch pad includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface includes an outer circumference, the outer circumference includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected to each other, the first side and the second side are located on opposite sides, the third side and the fourth side are located on opposite sides, and the first flexible board is connected between the first outer side and the first side.

10. The touch panel device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The swing plate includes a first side and a second side. The first outer side, the first inner side, the first side and the second side are connected to each other. The first side and the second side are located at opposite sides and are respectively adjacent to the third side and the fourth side.

11. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes another linkage component, which is arranged between the substrate and the touch plate, and the reset member is located between the linkage component and the other linkage component. The other linkage component includes a third flexible plate, a fourth flexible plate and another swing plate. The third flexible plate is connected between the other swing plate and the touch plate, and the fourth flexible plate is connected between the other swing plate and the reset member.

12. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises an annular frame which is fixed around the bottom surface of the touch-pressing plate, and one side of the first flexible plate is fixed to the annular frame to connect the touch-pressing plate.

13. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flexible plate, the second flexible plate and the swing plate are an integrally formed structure.

14. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The touch plate comprises a bottom surface, and an outer limiting plate is protrudingly provided on the first outer side of the swing plate, and the outer limiting plate abuts against the bottom surface of the touch plate.

15. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: An inner limit plate is also protruded from the first inner side of the swing plate, and the inner limit plate abuts against the top surface of the base plate.

16. The touch panel device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The top surface of the substrate is also provided with a baffle, and the inner limiting plate is located between the baffle and the top surface of the substrate.

17. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The first flexible plate includes a first flexible portion, and the first flexible portion is provided with a first stress reduction structure.

18. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The second flexible plate includes a second flexible portion, and the second flexible portion is provided with a second stress reduction structure.

19. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The top surface of the substrate is provided with a first stopper and a second stopper, the first stopper and the second stopper are respectively adjacent to two opposite sides of the touch-pressing plate, and the touch-pressing plate is respectively stopped and limited by the first stopper and the second stopper when at the height position.

20. The touch panel device according to claim 19, wherein: It also includes an annular frame fixed around the bottom surface of the touch plate, and the annular frame includes a first stop portion and a second stop portion. When the touch plate is at the height position, the first stop portion abuts against the first stop member, and the second stop portion abuts against the second stop member.

21. The touch panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic body is also arranged on the top surface of the base plate, and the elastic body elastically abuts against the swing plate.

Images