Touchpad module and its electronic computer

Abstract

This invention provides a touchpad module and an electronic computer thereof. The touchpad module includes a substrate, a pressure plate, and an elastic structure. The elastic structure is disposed between the pressure plate and the substrate. The elastic structure includes a support frame and a swing spring. The swing spring is fixed to the substrate and has a first fixing point and a second fixing point between it and the substrate. The swing spring includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm extends from the first fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to the first inner side of the support frame, and the second spring arm extends from the second fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to the second inner side of the support frame. Upon pressure from an external force, one end of the pressure plate swings toward the substrate and simultaneously causes the support frame to press against the first spring arm, causing the first spring arm to swing toward the substrate with the first fixing point as a fulcrum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of input devices, and more particularly to an input device with touch functionality. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of technology, electronic devices have brought numerous conveniences to people's lives. Therefore, making the operation of electronic devices more user-friendly is an important issue. For example, common electronic devices in daily life include laptops, mobile phones, and satellite navigation devices. Due to the significant increase in storage capacity and processor performance of these devices, their functions have become increasingly powerful and complex. To operate these devices efficiently, manufacturers have used touchpads as input devices to control multiple electronic devices.

[0003] Please see Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a known laptop computer and its touchpad module. The touchpad module 1 is disposed in the casing 21 of the laptop computer 2 and is at least partially exposed to the outside for the user to touch and operate the laptop computer 2. For example, the user can touch the touchpad module 1 with his / her finger and slide on the touchpad module 1 to move the cursor 23 on the screen 22, or press the touchpad module 1 to make the laptop computer 2 perform specific functions. Therefore, the touchpad module 1 can replace the function of the mouse, so that the user does not have to carry or install an extra mouse.

[0004] Please refer to this simultaneously. Figures 2-3 , Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is a conceptual illustration of the touchpad module when it is not being touched. Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a conceptual illustration of the touchpad module after it has been pressed. The casing 21 of the laptop 2 has an inwardly recessed frame 24. The touchpad module 1 is disposed within the frame 24. The touchpad module 1 includes a support structure 11 and a trigger portion 12 disposed on opposite sides of the frame 24, as well as a touch plate 13. The touch plate 13 of the touchpad module 1 is connected to the support structure 11, allowing it to swing relative to the trigger portion 12 with the support structure 11 as a fulcrum. Furthermore, the touchpad module 1 includes a switch 14 located below the touch plate 13 and corresponding to the trigger portion 12.

[0005] Furthermore, when the user presses the touchpad 13, the touchpad 13 swings downward relative to the trigger part 12 with the support structure 11 as the fulcrum until the switch 14 of the touchpad module 1 abuts against the trigger part 12 located on the frame 24. In this way, the switch 14 is triggered and outputs a switch signal to the laptop computer 2, thereby causing the laptop computer 2 to perform the corresponding function. When the user no longer presses the touchpad 13, the touchpad 13 swings upward relative to the trigger part 12 according to the elastic force of the support structure 11, so that the touchpad 13 returns to its original position.

[0006] The support structure 11 of the aforementioned touchpad module 1 mainly uses iron or plastic (e.g., sponge) to connect the upper and lower components, and the touchpad 13 can swing up and down due to the deformation of the iron or plastic structure. However, a known drawback of the touchpad module 1 is that the area where the support structure 11 is located cannot be pressed down; only the area outside the support structure 11 can be pressed down. In other words, the touchpad 13 of the touchpad module 1 can only be pressed down partially, not entirely. Therefore, how to improve upon the above-mentioned problem is a focus of attention for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a touchpad module whose structural design allows the entire area of ​​the touchpad to be pressed down, effectively solving the problem that the touchpad in known touchpad modules can only be pressed down in a partial area.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be further understood from the technical features disclosed herein.

[0009] To achieve one, some, or all of the above objectives, or other objectives, the present invention provides a touchpad module for use in an electronic computer. The touchpad module is disposed within the frame of the electronic computer and includes a substrate, a touch plate, and an elastic structure. The substrate includes a trigger portion. The touch plate is disposed above the substrate and includes a switch corresponding to the trigger portion. The elastic structure is disposed between the touch plate and the substrate and includes a support frame and a swing spring located below the support frame. The support frame supports the touch plate. The swing spring is fixed to the substrate and has at least one first fixing point and at least one second fixing point between it and the substrate. The swing spring includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm extends from the first fixing point toward the support frame and connects to a first inner side of the support frame. The second spring arm extends from the second fixing point toward the support frame and connects to a second inner side of the support frame opposite to the first inner side. The first area of ​​the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing one end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate so that the switch contacts the trigger part, and at the same time, the supporting frame plate is driven to press against the first spring arm, so that the first spring arm swings toward the substrate with the first fixed point as the fulcrum.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second region of the aforementioned pressure plate is pressed by an external force, causing the opposite end of the pressure plate to swing toward the substrate so that the switch contacts the trigger part, and at the same time, the supporting frame plate is driven to press against the second spring arm, so that the second spring arm swings toward the substrate with the second fixed point as the fulcrum. The second region and the first region are respectively located on opposite sides of the pressure plate.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the third region of the aforementioned touch plate moves toward the substrate according to the pressure of an external force, causing the switch to contact the trigger part, and simultaneously driving the support frame to press against the first spring arm and the second spring arm, so that the first spring arm and the second spring arm swing toward the substrate with the first fixed point and the second fixed point as fulcrums respectively, and the third region is located between the first region and the second region.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned swing spring further includes an intermediate plate, which is connected between the first spring arm and the second spring arm. The intermediate plate has a hollow area, and the trigger portion of the substrate is exposed in the hollow area.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned support frame includes a first frame strip, a second frame strip, a third frame strip and a fourth frame strip, the first frame strip is relative to the second frame strip, the third frame strip is relative to the fourth frame strip, and the third frame strip and the fourth frame strip are respectively connected between the first frame strip and the second frame strip. The first elastic arm of the swing spring is connected to the first inner side of the third frame strip, and the second elastic arm is connected to the second inner side of the fourth frame strip.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate further includes two first limiting portions and two second limiting portions, which are located on opposite sides of the substrate. The first frame strip of the supporting frame includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the second frame strip includes a third end and a fourth end opposite to each other. The first end, the second end, the third end and the fourth end are exposed on the touch plate, and the first end and the second end abut against the corresponding first limiting portion, and the third end and the fourth end abut against the corresponding second limiting portion.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel module further includes at least one first locking member and at least one second locking member, the first locking member and the second locking member being locked to the first fixing point and the second fixing point respectively, so that the swing spring and the substrate are fixed to each other.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned pressure plate includes a circuit board and an upper cover plate, the upper cover plate being disposed above the circuit board, and the switch being disposed on the circuit board.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel module further includes a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the upper cover plate and the circuit board, and the second adhesive layer is disposed between the circuit board and the support frame.

[0018] To achieve one or more of the above-mentioned objectives, or other objectives, the present invention also provides an electronic computer, including a housing, a processor, and a touchpad module. The housing has an inwardly recessed frame. The processor is disposed within the housing. The touchpad module is disposed within the frame and electrically connected to the processor. The touchpad module includes a substrate, a touch plate, and an elastic structure. The substrate includes a trigger portion. The touch plate is disposed above the substrate and includes a switch corresponding to the trigger portion. The elastic structure is disposed between the touch plate and the substrate, and includes a support frame and a swing spring located below the support frame. The support frame supports the touch plate. The swing spring is fixed to the substrate and has at least one first fixing point and at least one second fixing point with the substrate. The swing spring includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm extends from the first fixing point toward the support frame and connects to a first inner side of the support frame. The second spring arm extends from the second fixing point toward the support frame and connects to a second inner side of the support frame opposite to the first inner side. The first area of ​​the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing one end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate so that the switch contacts the trigger part, and at the same time, the supporting frame plate is driven to press against the first spring arm, so that the first spring arm swings toward the substrate with the first fixed point as the fulcrum.

[0019] The touchpad module of this invention features a structural design that allows the entire area of ​​the touchpad to be pressed down, effectively solving the problem of only partially pressable touchpads in known touchpad modules. Furthermore, because the swing spring and the substrate have a first and a second fixed point, when either the first or second area of ​​the touchpad is pressed, the touchpad drives the supporting frame to press against the first or second spring arm. This causes the first spring arm to swing towards the substrate with the first fixed point as its fulcrum, or the second spring arm to swing towards the substrate with the second fixed point as its fulcrum. With this structural design, when one end of the touchpad swings towards the substrate, the other end will not experience the same movement and travel due to the seesaw principle. With unnecessary travel significantly reduced, the entire area of ​​the touchpad can be pressed down with the same force to trigger the switch, and the touchpad does not produce abnormal noise during the swinging process. In addition, the touchpad module of this invention has a simple structural design and is easy to assemble, effectively reducing manufacturing costs and overall weight.

[0020] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a known laptop computer and its touchpad module.

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a conceptual illustration of the touchpad module when it is not being pressed.

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a conceptual illustration of the touchpad module after it has been pressed.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an electronic computer and its touchpad module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a partial side view of the touchpad module.

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an exploded view of the touchpad module components.

[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows a top view of the touchpad module.

[0028] Figure 8 To omit Figure 5 A top view of some of the components.

[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0030] 1, 3: Touchpad module

[0031] 2, 4: Laptops

[0032] 11: Supporting Structure

[0033] 12: Triggering section

[0034] 13: Pressure plate

[0035] 14: Switch

[0036] 21, 41: Outer shell

[0037] 22, 42: Screen

[0038] 23, 43: Cursor

[0039] 24, 44: Frame

[0040] 45: Processor

[0041] 31: Substrate

[0042] 32: Pressure plate

[0043] 33: Elastic Structure

[0044] 34: First Locking Fitting

[0045] 35: Second locking device

[0046] 36: First adhesive layer

[0047] 37: Second adhesive layer

[0048] 310: Trigger Unit

[0049] 311: First limiting part

[0050] 312: Second limiting part

[0051] 320: Switch

[0052] 321: Top cover plate

[0053] 322: Circuit board

[0054] 331: Load-bearing frame

[0055] 332: Swinging spring

[0056] 3321: First Spear Arm

[0057] 3322: Second spring arm

[0058] 3323: Intermediate plate

[0059] 3311: First frame

[0060] 3312: Second frame

[0061] 3313: Third frame

[0062] 3314: Fourth frame

[0063] R: Hollowed-out area

[0064] E1: First end

[0065] E2: Second end

[0066] E3: Third end

[0067] E4: Fourth end

[0068] P1: First fixed point

[0069] P2: Second fixed point

[0070] R1: First Region

[0071] R2: Second Region

[0072] R3: Third Region

[0073] S1: First inner side

[0074] S2: Second inner side Detailed Implementation

[0075] Please see Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an electronic computer and its touchpad module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic computer 4 is, for example, a laptop computer, but is not limited thereto, and includes a casing 41, a screen 42, a processor 45, and a touchpad module 3. The processor 45 is disposed within the casing 41 and is used to process the electronic signals of the electronic computer 4. The casing 41 has an inwardly recessed frame 44 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (as shown); wherein, the touchpad module 3 may be configured in the frame 44 and electrically connected to the processor 45, and at least part of the touchpad module 3 is exposed for the user to touch and operate the computer 4. For example, the user can move the cursor 43 on the screen 42 by touching the touchpad module 3 with his finger and sliding it on the touchpad module 3, or the user can make the computer 4 perform a specific function by pressing the touchpad module 3.

[0076] The following is a further detailed description of the other structures of the touchpad module 3 in this embodiment of the invention.

[0077] Please see Figures 5 to 8 , Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a partial side view of the touchpad module. Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an exploded view of the touchpad module components. Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows a top view of the touchpad module. Figure 8 To omit Figure 5 A top view of some of the components. Figure 8 Omitted Figure 5 The components shown include the pressure plate 32, the first adhesive layer 36, and the second adhesive layer 37.

[0078] like Figures 5 to 8As shown, the touchpad module 3 of this embodiment includes a substrate 31, a touch plate 32, and an elastic structure 33. The substrate 31 includes a trigger portion 310. The touch plate 32 is disposed above the substrate 31, and the touch plate 32 includes a switch 320 corresponding to the trigger portion 310. The elastic structure 33 is disposed between the touch plate 32 and the substrate 31, and the elastic structure 33 includes a support frame 331 and a swing spring 332 located below the support frame 331. The support frame 331 is used to support the touch plate 32, and the swing spring 332 is fixed to the substrate 31 and has at least one first fixing point P1 and at least one second fixing point P2 between itself and the substrate 31. The swing spring 332 includes a first spring arm 3321 and a second spring arm 3322. The first spring arm 3321 extends from the first fixed point P1 toward the bearing frame 331 and is connected to the first inner side S1 of the bearing frame 331. The second spring arm 3322 extends from the second fixed point P2 toward the bearing frame 331 and is connected to the second inner side S2 of the bearing frame 331 relative to the first inner side S1.

[0079] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the number of first fixing points P1 between the swing spring 332 and the substrate 31 is, for example, two, and the number of second fixing points P2 is, for example, two. However, the present invention does not limit the number of first fixing points P1 and second fixing points P2. Furthermore, the touchpad module 3 of this embodiment also includes two first locking fasteners 34 and two second locking fasteners 35. These first locking fasteners 34 are respectively locked to the corresponding first fixing points P1, and these second locking fasteners 35 are respectively locked to the corresponding second fixing points P2. These first locking fasteners 34 and second locking fasteners 35 fix the elastic structure 33 and the substrate 31 to each other. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the number of first locking fasteners 34 and second locking fasteners 35; the number of first locking fasteners 34 and second locking fasteners 35 may be increased or decreased depending on the number of first fixing points P1 and second fixing points P2.

[0080] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the touch plate 32 of this embodiment includes an upper cover plate 321 and a circuit board 322. The upper cover plate 321 is disposed above the circuit board 322. The switch 320 is disposed on the surface of the circuit board 322 facing the substrate 31. In this embodiment, the material of the upper cover plate 321 is, for example, glass, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The material of the upper cover plate 321 can be replaced with the required material according to the actual needs. The switch 320 is, for example, a metal dome elastomer, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0081] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the touchpad module 3 in this embodiment further includes a first adhesive layer 36 and a second adhesive layer 37. The first adhesive layer 36 is disposed between the upper cover plate 321 of the touchpad 32 and the circuit board 322, and the upper cover plate 321 and the circuit board 322 are bonded to each other by the first adhesive layer 36. The second adhesive layer 37 is disposed between the circuit board 322 of the touchpad 32 and the support frame 331 of the elastic structure 33, and the circuit board 322 and the support frame 331 are bonded to each other by the second adhesive layer 37. In this embodiment, the first adhesive layer 36 and the second adhesive layer 37 are, for example, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), but the present invention does not limit the materials of the first adhesive layer 36 and the second adhesive layer 37.

[0082] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 As shown, the oscillating spring 332 in this embodiment also includes an intermediate plate 3323. The intermediate plate 3323 is connected between the first spring arm 3321 and the second spring arm 3322, and the intermediate plate 3323 has a hollow area R. When the elastic structure 33 and the substrate 31 are fixed to each other, the trigger part 310 located on the substrate 31 will be exposed in the hollow area R of the intermediate plate 3323.

[0083] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 As shown, the support frame 331 in this embodiment includes a first frame strip 3311, a second frame strip 3312, a third frame strip 3313, and a fourth frame strip 3314. The first frame strip 3311 is relative to the second frame strip 3312, and the third frame strip 3313 is relative to the fourth frame strip 3314. The third frame strip 3313 and the fourth frame strip 3314 are respectively connected between the first frame strip 3311 and the second frame strip 3312. The first spring arm 3321 of the swing spring 332 is connected to the first inner side S1 of the third frame strip 3313, and the second spring arm 3322 is connected to the second inner side S2 of the fourth frame strip 3314.

[0084] like Figures 5 to 8As shown, the substrate 31 in this embodiment further includes two first limiting portions 311 and two second limiting portions 312. These first limiting portions 311 and second limiting portions 312 are located on opposite sides of the substrate 31. The first frame strip 3311 of the supporting frame 331 includes a first end E1 and a second end E2 opposite to each other, and the second frame strip 3312 includes a third end E3 and a fourth end E4 opposite to each other. The first end E1, second end E2, third end E3, and fourth end E4 are exposed on the touch plate 32, and the first end E1 and second end E2 of the first frame strip 3311 abut against the corresponding first limiting portion 311, and the third end E3 and fourth end E4 of the second frame strip 3312 abut against the corresponding second limiting portion 312. In this embodiment, these first limiting portions 311 and second limiting portions 312 are, for example, hooks extending from the substrate 31, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the substrate 31 is made of a metal material, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0085] The operation mode of the touchpad module 3 in this embodiment of the invention will be further described below.

[0086] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, when the first region R1 of the pressure plate 32 is pressed by an external force, one end of the pressure plate 32 swings toward the substrate 31, causing the switch 320 on the pressure plate 32 to contact the trigger part 310 on the substrate 31. During the swing of one end of the pressure plate 32 toward the substrate 31, the pressure plate 32 will simultaneously drive the support frame 331 to move toward the substrate 31. During the movement of the support frame 331 toward the substrate 31, the support frame 331 will simultaneously press against the first spring arm 3321 of the swing spring 332, causing the first spring arm 3321 of the swing spring 332 to swing toward the substrate 31 with the first fixed point P1 as the fulcrum. When the pressure plate 32 moves the support frame 331 toward the substrate 31, the first end E1 of the first frame strip 3311 and the second end E2 of the second frame strip 3312 of the support frame 331 will disengage from the first limiting part 311 and the second limiting part 312 located on the left side of the substrate 31, respectively. In other words, during the movement of the support frame 331, the first end E1 of the first frame strip 3311 and the second end E2 of the second frame strip 3312 will move within the limiting space defined by the first limiting part 311 and the second limiting part 312 on the left side of the substrate 31, respectively.

[0087] like Figures 5 to 8As shown, when the second region R2 of the pressure plate 32 is pressed by an external force, the second region R2 and the first region R1 are located on opposite sides of the pressure plate 32. The other end of the pressure plate 32 swings toward the substrate 31, causing the switch 320 on the pressure plate 32 to contact the trigger part 310 on the substrate 31. During the swing of the other end of the pressure plate 32 toward the substrate 31, the pressure plate 32 will simultaneously drive the support frame 331 to move toward the substrate 31. During the movement of the support frame 331 toward the substrate 31, the support frame 331 will simultaneously press against the second spring arm 3322 of the swing spring 332, causing the second spring arm 3322 of the swing spring 332 to swing toward the substrate 31 with the second fixed point P2 as the fulcrum. When the pressure plate 32 moves the support frame 331 toward the substrate 31, the second end E2 of the first frame strip 3311 and the fourth end E4 of the second frame strip 3312 of the support frame 331 will disengage from the first limiting part 311 and the second limiting part 312 located on the right side of the substrate 31, respectively. In other words, during the movement of the support frame 331, the second end E2 of the first frame strip 3311 and the fourth end E4 of the second frame strip 3312 will move within the limiting space defined by the first limiting part 311 and the second limiting part 312 on the right side of the substrate 31, respectively.

[0088] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, when the third region R3 of the pressure plate 32 is pressed by an external force, the third region R3 is located between the second region R2 and the first region R1. The pressure plate 32 moves toward the substrate 31, so that the switch 320 on the pressure plate 32 contacts the trigger part 310 on the substrate 31. During the process of the pressure plate 32 moving toward the substrate 31, the pressure plate 32 will simultaneously drive the support frame 331 to move toward the substrate 31. During the process of the support frame 331 moving toward the substrate 31, the support frame 331 will simultaneously press against the first spring arm 3321 and the second spring arm 3322 of the swing spring 332, so that the first spring arm 3321 and the second spring arm 3322 of the swing spring 332 swing toward the substrate 31 with the first fixed point P1 and the second fixed point P2 as fulcrums respectively. When the pressure plate 32 moves the support frame 331 toward the substrate 31, the first end E1 and the second end E2 of the first frame strip 3311 of the support frame 331 will disengage from the first limiting part 311 located on the left and right sides of the substrate 31, respectively, and the third end E3 and the fourth end E4 of the second frame strip 3312 will disengage from the second limiting part 312 located on the left and right sides of the substrate 31, respectively.

[0089] It is worth mentioning that, in this embodiment, since the middle plate 3323 of the swing spring 332 is connected between the first spring arm 3321 and the second spring arm 3322, when the first spring arm 3321 of the swing spring 332 swings towards the substrate 31 with the first fixed point P1 as the fulcrum, it will simultaneously generate a force (rebound force) in the direction away from the substrate 31 and apply it to the middle plate 3323 of the swing spring 332, causing the middle plate 3323 to tilt slightly due to the force. In other words, the reverse force generated by the first spring arm 3321 during the swing will be absorbed by the middle plate 3323 to disperse the force borne by the first fastener 34 locked on the first fixed point P1, and prevent the first fastener 34 from detaching from the first fixed point P1 during the repeated up and down swing of the first spring arm 3321. When the second spring arm 3322 of the swing spring 332 swings towards the substrate 31 with the second fixed point P2 as the fulcrum, it will simultaneously generate a force (rebound force) in the direction away from the substrate 31 and apply it to the middle plate 3323 of the swing spring 332. This causes the middle plate 3323 to tilt slightly due to the force. In other words, the reverse force generated by the second spring arm 3322 during the swing will be absorbed by the middle plate 3323 to disperse the force borne by the second fastener 35 locked on the second fixed point P2, and prevent the second fastener 35 from disengaging from the second fixed point P2 during the repeated up and down swing of the second spring arm 3322.

[0090] It is worth mentioning that, in this embodiment, the first fixing point P1 between the swing spring 332 and the substrate 31 can be adjusted and moved towards the third frame strip 3313 of the support frame 331 or away from the third frame strip 3313 of the support frame 331. Similarly, the second fixing point P2 between the swing spring 332 and the substrate 31 can be adjusted and moved towards the fourth frame strip 3314 of the support frame 331 or away from the fourth frame strip 3314 of the support frame 331, thereby improving the pressing feel of the touchpad module 3, that is, adjusting the force of the user pressing the touchpad 32.

[0091] In summary, the touchpad module of this invention has a structural design that allows the entire area of ​​the touchpad to be pressed down, effectively solving the problem that only a portion of the touchpad in known touchpad modules can be pressed down. Furthermore, because the swing spring and the substrate have a first fixed point and a second fixed point, when the first or second area of ​​the touchpad is pressed, the touchpad drives the supporting frame to press against the first or second spring arm, causing the first spring arm to swing towards the substrate with the first fixed point as the fulcrum or the second spring arm to swing towards the substrate with the second fixed point as the fulcrum. With this structural design, when one end of the touchpad swings towards the substrate, the other end will not experience the same movement and stroke due to the seesaw principle. With unnecessary movement stroke significantly reduced, the entire area of ​​the touchpad can be pressed down with the same force to trigger the switch, and the touchpad does not produce abnormal noise during the swinging process. In addition, the touchpad module of this invention has a simple structural design and is easy to assemble, effectively reducing manufacturing costs and overall weight.

[0092] However, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the invention are still within the scope of this patent. Furthermore, no embodiment or claim of the present invention needs to achieve all the objectives, advantages, or features disclosed in the invention. In addition, the abstract and headings are merely for assisting in patent document searches and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, the terms "first," "second," etc., mentioned in this specification or claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

Claims

1. A touchpad module for use in a computer, the touchpad module being disposed within a frame of the computer, the touchpad module comprising: A substrate, including a trigger unit; A pressure plate is disposed above the substrate, and the pressure plate includes a switch corresponding to the trigger portion; as well as An elastic structure is disposed between the touch plate and the substrate. The elastic structure includes a support frame and a swing spring located below the support frame. The support frame is used to support the touch plate. The swing spring is fixed to the substrate and has at least one first fixing point and at least one second fixing point between it and the substrate. The swing spring includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm extends from the at least one first fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to a first inner side of the support frame. The second spring arm extends from the at least one second fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to a second inner side of the support frame opposite to the first inner side. Wherein, a first area of ​​the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing one end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate so that the switch contacts the trigger part, and at the same time, the support frame plate is driven to press against the first spring arm, so that the first spring arm swings toward the substrate with the at least one first fixed point as the fulcrum. The second region of the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing the opposite end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate, thereby causing the switch to contact the trigger part. At the same time, the support frame plate is driven to press against the second spring arm, causing the second spring arm to swing toward the substrate with the at least one second fixed point as the fulcrum. The second region and the first region are located on opposite sides of the touch plate.

2. The touch panel module as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third region of the touch plate moves toward the substrate due to the pressure of an external force, causing the switch to contact the trigger portion, and simultaneously driving the support frame to press against the first spring arm and the second spring arm, so that the first spring arm and the second spring arm swing toward the substrate with the at least one first fixed point and the at least one second fixed point as fulcrums, and the third region is located between the first region and the second region.

3. The touchpad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oscillating spring further includes an intermediate plate body, the intermediate plate body being connected between the first spring arm and the second spring arm, the intermediate plate body having a hollow area, and the trigger portion of the substrate being exposed in the hollow area.

4. The touchpad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting frame includes a first frame strip, a second frame strip, a third frame strip, and a fourth frame strip, the first frame strip being relative to the second frame strip, the third frame strip being relative to the fourth frame strip, and the third frame strip and the fourth frame strip being respectively connected between the first frame strip and the second frame strip, the first spring arm of the swing spring being connected to the first inner side of the third frame strip, and the second spring arm being connected to the second inner side of the fourth frame strip.

5. The touch panel module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the substrate further includes two first limiting portions and two second limiting portions, the plurality of first limiting portions and the plurality of second limiting portions are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate, the first frame strip of the supporting frame includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the second frame strip includes a third end and a fourth end opposite to each other, the first end, the second end, the third end and the fourth end are respectively exposed on the touch panel, and the first end and the second end respectively abut against the corresponding first limiting portion, and the third end and the fourth end respectively abut against the corresponding second limiting portion.

6. The touchpad module as claimed in claim 1 further includes at least one first locking member and at least one second locking member, the at least one first locking member and the at least one second locking member being respectively locked to the at least one first fixing point and the at least one second fixing point, such that the swinging spring and the substrate are fixed to each other.

7. The touchpad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touchpad includes a circuit board and an upper cover plate, the upper cover plate being disposed above the circuit board, and the switch being disposed on the circuit board.

8. The touchpad module as claimed in claim 7 further includes a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer being disposed between the upper cover plate and the circuit board, and the second adhesive layer being disposed between the circuit board and the support frame.

9. An electronic computer, comprising: An outer shell having an inwardly recessed frame; A processor is housed within this enclosure; as well as A touchpad module, configured within the frame and electrically connected to the processor, the touchpad module comprising: A substrate, including a trigger unit; A pressure plate is disposed above the substrate, the pressure plate including a switch corresponding to the trigger portion; and An elastic structure is disposed between the touch plate and the substrate. The elastic structure includes a support frame and a swing spring located below the support frame. The support frame is used to support the touch plate. The swing spring is fixed to the substrate and has at least one first fixing point and at least one second fixing point between it and the substrate. The swing spring includes a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The first spring arm extends from the at least one first fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to a first inner side of the support frame. The second spring arm extends from the at least one second fixing point toward the support frame and is connected to a second inner side of the support frame opposite to the first inner side. Wherein, a first area of ​​the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing one end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate so that the switch contacts the trigger part, and at the same time, the support frame plate is driven to press against the first spring arm, so that the first spring arm swings toward the substrate with the at least one first fixed point as the fulcrum. The second region of the touch plate is pressed by an external force, causing the opposite end of the touch plate to swing toward the substrate, thereby causing the switch to contact the trigger part. At the same time, the support frame plate is driven to press against the second spring arm, causing the second spring arm to swing toward the substrate with the at least one second fixed point as the fulcrum. The second region and the first region are located on opposite sides of the touch plate.

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