Key assembly, terminal device and control method

Abstract

The application provides a key assembly, a terminal device and a control method. The key assembly is used for electrically connecting to the terminal device, and comprises a base body with a through hole, a touch assembly movably connected in the through hole, and a vibration assembly contactively connected to the touch assembly. The touch assembly is exposed on one side of the through hole and is used for detecting pressing information. The vibration assembly comprises a substrate elastically supported on the base body and enclosing a receiving space with the base body, and a piezoelectric vibration part arranged on the substrate and corresponding to the position of the receiving space. The receiving space is communicated with the through hole. One end of the touch assembly towards the vibration assembly is received in the receiving space and connected to the piezoelectric vibration part or the substrate. The key assembly detects the pressing information through the touch assembly. The terminal device provides a voltage signal to the piezoelectric vibration part according to the pressing information. The piezoelectric vibration part generates mechanical deformation due to the inverse piezoelectric effect and transmits to the touch assembly, so that the user obtains diversified tactile feedback when pressing the touch assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of button technology, and particularly relates to a button assembly, terminal device and control method. Background Technology

[0002] The physical buttons in related technologies mainly include keycaps and dome switches. The principle is that the dome switch conducts the circuit when pressed, and the pressing sensation of the physical button is achieved through the restoring force feedback of the mechanical deformation of the dome switch. Its pressing sensation and pressing effect are relatively simple and cannot be adapted to special usage scenarios.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a button that can provide corresponding tactile feedback according to the specific usage scenario. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a button assembly, a terminal device, and a control method that can provide corresponding tactile feedback according to the corresponding usage scenario.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a button assembly for electrical connection to a terminal device, comprising a substrate having a through hole, a touch component movably connected within the through hole, and a vibration component contacting and connected to the touch component; the touch component is exposed on one side of the through hole for detecting press information; the vibration component includes a substrate elastically supported on the substrate and forming a receiving space with the substrate, and a piezoelectric vibration part disposed on the substrate corresponding to the position of the receiving space, the receiving space communicating with the through hole;

[0007] The end of the touch component facing the vibration component is housed within the housing space and connected to the piezoelectric vibrating part or the substrate.

[0008] Furthermore, the piezoelectric vibration part includes a first piezoelectric sheet and a second piezoelectric sheet, which are respectively fixed to the surfaces of opposite sides of the substrate along the thickness direction. The first piezoelectric sheet faces the touch component and is connected to the touch component.

[0009] Furthermore, one of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element is used for electrical connection to a DC voltage source, and the other of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element is used for grounding.

[0010] Furthermore, the substrate is made of metal and is used for electrical connection to an AC voltage source.

[0011] Furthermore, the touch component includes a keycap that passes through the through hole in the receiving space, and a sensor connected to the piezoelectric vibration part and disposed on the side of the keycap facing the vibration component, the sensor being used to detect press information.

[0012] Furthermore, the touch component also includes a support piece fixed to the side of the sensor opposite to the keycap, and a pad fixed to the side of the support piece opposite to the sensor and connected to the piezoelectric vibration part.

[0013] Furthermore, the thickness of the support sheet is 0.1mm to 1mm, and the thickness of the gasket is 0.1mm to 0.5mm.

[0014] Furthermore, a plurality of limiting blocks are provided on the side surface of the substrate facing the touch component, and the end of the limiting block facing the touch component is spaced apart from the touch component.

[0015] Furthermore, the substrate includes a housing with a receiving groove and bolts disposed around the receiving groove. The substrate has mounting holes at both ends along its length. The substrate is fixedly connected to the housing by the bolts passing through the mounting holes. The substrate and the receiving groove enclose the receiving space.

[0016] Furthermore, the thickness of the substrate is 0.05mm to 0.5mm.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention provides a terminal device including the button assembly described above.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention provides a control method applied to the button assembly described above, the method comprising:

[0019] Press information is detected via touch components;

[0020] A voltage signal is generated and sent to the vibration component based on the pressure information;

[0021] The vibration component outputs a vibration signal that drives the touch component to vibrate according to the voltage signal.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0023] When a user presses the touch component, the touch component can detect the press information. The terminal device provides a voltage signal to the piezoelectric vibrator based on the press information. The piezoelectric vibrator vibrates due to mechanical deformation caused by the inverse piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric vibrator transmits the vibration to the touch component, thereby allowing the user to obtain diverse tactile feedback when pressing the touch component. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the button assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of detail B in the middle;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of a portion of the button assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the piezoelectric bicrystalline circuit structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This invention provides a button assembly for electrical connection to a terminal device, including a base 10 with a through hole 112, a touch component 30 movably connected within the through hole 112, and a vibration component 20 contacting and connected to the touch component 30; the touch component 30 is exposed on one side of the through hole 112 for detecting press information; the vibration component 20 includes a substrate 22 elastically supported on the base 10 and forming a receiving space with the base 10, and a piezoelectric vibration part disposed on the substrate 22 corresponding to the position of the receiving space, the receiving space communicating with the through hole 112;

[0033] The end of the touch component 30 facing the vibration component 20 is housed in the housing space and connected to the piezoelectric vibration unit.

[0034] In this embodiment, since the touch component 30 is exposed on one side of the substrate 10, the user can contact the touch component 30. Accordingly, the touch component 30 can detect the pressing information. The button component is electrically connected to the terminal device. The terminal device provides a voltage signal to the piezoelectric vibrating part according to the pressing information. The piezoelectric vibrating part generates vibration due to mechanical deformation caused by the inverse piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric vibrating part transmits the vibration to the touch component 30, so that the user can obtain diverse tactile feedback when pressing the touch component 30.

[0035] Understandably, the piezoelectric vibrating part includes a piezoelectric sheet fixed to at least one side of the surface of the substrate 22 along the thickness direction. When the piezoelectric sheet is fixed to the surface of the substrate 22 facing the touch assembly 30, the piezoelectric sheet is fixedly connected to the touch assembly 30. When the piezoelectric sheet is not fixed to the surface of the substrate 22 facing the touch assembly 30, the substrate 22 is fixedly connected to the touch assembly 30. The substrate 22 transmits the vibration of the piezoelectric sheet to the touch assembly 30.

[0036] In this embodiment, the touch component 30 is exposed on one side of the through hole 112. Preferably, the end of the touch component 30 facing away from the vibration component 20 extends and protrudes through the through hole 112. In other embodiments, the touch component 30 may also be flush with the through hole 112.

[0037] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the piezoelectric vibration unit includes a first piezoelectric sheet 21 and a second piezoelectric sheet 23, which are respectively fixed to the surfaces of opposite sides of the substrate 22 along the thickness direction. The first piezoelectric sheet 21 faces the touch assembly 30 and is connected to the touch assembly 30.

[0038] In this embodiment, by setting piezoelectric sheets on the surfaces of opposite sides of the substrate 22 along the thickness direction, the mechanical vibrations obtained by the inverse piezoelectric effect generated by the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 can be superimposed, which optimizes the vibration feedback effect of the button assembly and further provides users with a variety of vibration sensations.

[0039] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, the length of the substrate 22 is greater than that of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23. Along the thickness direction of the substrate 22, the projections of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 overlap. At least a portion of the surface of the substrate 22 that is not connected to the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 is fixedly connected to the substrate 10. Preferably, along the thickness direction of the substrate 22, the centers of symmetry of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 coincide with the center of symmetry of the substrate 22. Both ends of the substrate 22 along its length are fixed to the substrate 10, so that the substrate 22 and the substrate 10 enclose a receiving space.

[0040] Preferably, the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 are the same, and the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 are parallel to the thickness direction of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23. This arrangement facilitates the energization of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23, and can avoid the conflict between the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 during mechanical deformation.

[0041] Preferably, the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 are piezoelectric ceramic sheets. The piezoelectric ceramic sheets are piezoelectric stacked structures with a stacked number of layers between 3 and 20. Using a piezoelectric stacked structure can improve the mechanical deformation capability of the vibration component 20, which is beneficial for the button component to provide better tactile feedback to the user.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 are attached to the substrate 22 with adhesive. The first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 can also be fixed to the substrate 22 by welding or other fixed connection methods.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, one of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23 is used for electrical connection to a DC voltage source, and the other of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23 is used for grounding.

[0044] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic of a piezoelectric bicrystalline wafer circuit. Figure 5 The P direction shown represents the polarization direction of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23. Specifically, the polarization direction of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23 is the thickness direction from the second piezoelectric element 23 to the first piezoelectric element 21. The first piezoelectric element 21 is used for electrical connection to a DC voltage source, and the second piezoelectric element 23 is used for grounding. A piezoelectric bicrystalline circuit is formed between the DC voltage source, the first piezoelectric element 21, the substrate 22, the second piezoelectric element 23, and the grounding terminal.

[0045] Understandably, in other embodiments, if the polarization direction of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 is the thickness direction from the first piezoelectric sheet 21 to the second piezoelectric sheet 23, then the first piezoelectric sheet 21 is used for grounding and the second piezoelectric sheet 23 is used for electrical connection to a DC voltage source, which can also form a piezoelectric bicrystalline circuit.

[0046] Furthermore, the substrate 22 is made of metal and is used for electrical connection to an AC voltage source.

[0047] In this embodiment, the thickness of the substrate 22 is preferably 0.05mm to 0.5mm, and the substrate 22 is made of stainless steel and beryllium bronze.

[0048] Specifically, such as Figure 5As shown, a DC voltage of Umax is applied to the surface of the first piezoelectric element 21 facing away from the substrate 22, and the surface of the second piezoelectric element 23 facing away from the substrate 22 is grounded. An AC voltage of 0 to Umax is applied to the substrate 22. This arrangement avoids the current-carrying direction of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23 being opposite to their polarization direction, and also avoids depolarization of the first and second piezoelectric elements when the DC voltage is too low. By applying a positive voltage to the substrate, the polarization state of the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 23 can be maintained, thereby extending the service life of the first and second piezoelectric elements 21 and 23 and maintaining their piezoelectric performance.

[0049] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the touch component 30 includes a keycap 31 with a through hole 112 in the housing space, and a sensor 32 connected to the piezoelectric vibration part and disposed on the side of the keycap 31 facing the vibration component 20. The sensor 32 is used to detect press information.

[0050] In this embodiment, the sensor 32 can be a resistive, piezoelectric, capacitive, or deionized sensor, and the keycap 31 and the sensor 32 are connected by adhesive or welding.

[0051] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the touch assembly 30 also includes a support plate 33 fixed to the side of the sensor 32 away from the keycap 31, and a pad 34 fixed to the side of the support plate 33 away from the sensor 32 and connected to the piezoelectric vibration part.

[0052] In this embodiment, the support piece 33 can support the sensor 32 and the keycap 31. On one hand, the pad 34 can connect the vibration component 20 and the touch component 30, transmitting the vibration generated by the vibration component 20 to the touch component 30. On the other hand, the pad 34 is disposed between the vibration component 20 and the touch component 30, so that the vibration component 20 and the touch component 30 are spaced apart, thereby providing vibration space for the vibration component 20.

[0053] Preferably, the support plate 33 is made of metal, and its thickness is 0.1mm to 1mm. The support plate 33 is fixedly connected to the sensor 32 and the support plate 33 by bonding or welding. The gasket 34 is connected to the support plate 33 and the first piezoelectric sheet 21 by bonding, welding or snap-fit.

[0054] Preferably, the gasket 34 is made of metal with a thickness between 0.1mm and 1mm.

[0055] Preferred, such as Figure 3 As shown, along the thickness direction of the pad 34, the projections of the support plate 33, the pad 34, and the center of symmetry of the vibration assembly 20 overlap.

[0056] In this embodiment, the pad 34 can ensure that the pressing pressure is evenly distributed on the vibration component 20, and can also evenly transmit the vibration of the vibration component 20 to the touch component 30.

[0057] In other embodiments, there may be multiple gaskets 34, and it is not limited to providing only one gasket 34. Multiple gaskets 34 may be evenly spaced along the length extension direction of the support piece 33.

[0058] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, a plurality of limiting blocks 40 are also provided on the side surface of the substrate 22 facing the touch component 30, and the end of the limiting block 40 facing the touch component 30 is spaced apart from the touch component 30.

[0059] The limiting block 40 can protect the piezoelectric vibrating part and prevent the touch component 30 from being damaged by excessive pressure.

[0060] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the side of the pad 34 away from the support piece 33 is fixed to the first piezoelectric piece 21. The surface of the substrate 22 facing the touch component 30 is also provided with a plurality of limiting blocks 40. The thickness of the limiting block 40 is greater than the thickness of the first piezoelectric piece 21, and the thickness of the limiting block 40 is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the pad 34 and the first piezoelectric piece 21.

[0061] If the user applies excessive pressure to the touch component 30, it may cause the first piezoelectric sheet 21 to shatter or the substrate 22 to undergo plastic deformation under pressure. In this embodiment, the thickness of the limiting block 40 is greater than the thickness of the first piezoelectric sheet 21. The limiting block 40 can limit the pressing stroke and protect the first piezoelectric sheet 21 from shattering under pressure. Furthermore, since the thickness of the limiting block 40 is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the pad 34 and the first piezoelectric sheet 21, there is a gap between the limiting block 40 and the support plate 33, ensuring the vibration space of the vibration component 20.

[0062] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, two limiting blocks 40 are provided on the substrate 22, and the two limiting blocks 40 are symmetrically distributed along the axis of symmetry of the first piezoelectric sheet 21 in the width direction. The limiting blocks 40 can evenly distribute the pressing stress onto the substrate 22, preventing the substrate 22 from undergoing plastic deformation under pressure, improving the reliability of the button assembly, and extending the service life of the button assembly.

[0063] Preferably, the thickness of the limiting block 40 is 0.2mm to 1.0mm, and the material of the limiting block 40 is metal or polymer material.

[0064] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and 3As shown, the substrate 10 includes a housing 11 with a receiving groove 111 and bolts disposed around the receiving groove 111. The substrate 22 has mounting holes 222 at both ends along its length. The substrate 22 is fixedly connected to the housing 11 by bolts passing through the mounting holes 222. The substrate 22 and the receiving groove 111 enclose a receiving space.

[0065] In this embodiment, the groove wall of the receiving groove 111, which is opposite to the substrate 22, is provided with a through hole 112. The keycap 31 also includes a base 312 housed in the receiving space and a boss 311 extending from the base 312 toward the side away from the substrate 22. The boss 311 extends out of the receiving groove 111 through the through hole 112.

[0066] When the user does not press the keycap 31, the base 312 abuts against the wall of the receiving groove 111 on the side facing the boss 311. When the user presses the keycap 31, based on the elastic deformation capability of the vibration component 20, the keycap 31 moves a certain pressing stroke toward the vibration component 20. The elastic deformation of the vibration component 20 and the vibration of the piezoelectric sheet can provide tactile feedback to the user.

[0067] Please see Figures 1 to 5 A second aspect of the present invention provides a terminal device including the button assembly described above.

[0068] It is understood that the button assembly provided by this invention can be applied to various terminal devices, including tablet devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. Moreover, the terminal devices are not limited to tablet devices, but can also be various irregularly shaped devices such as gamepads, keyboards, and steering wheels.

[0069] For ease of understanding of the present invention, as follows Figure 2 As shown, the button assembly in this embodiment of the invention is exemplified by a mobile phone, but this is not a limitation. In this embodiment, the terminal device includes a shell connected to the base 10, and the base 10 and the shell of the terminal device are integrally formed. In other embodiments, the base 10 may also be fixedly connected to the shell of the terminal device.

[0070] In this embodiment, the button assembly is a piezoelectric virtual button. The button assembly is electrically connected to the terminal device. The terminal device provides a voltage signal to the piezoelectric vibrating part according to the pressing information. The piezoelectric vibrating part generates vibration through the inverse piezoelectric effect and transmits it to the touch component 30. Thus, the button assembly can generate a variety of different vibration effects according to the detected pressing information, providing users with diverse tactile feedback.

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown, a third aspect of the present invention provides a control method applied to the above-described button assembly, comprising:

[0072] Step S100: Detect press information through the touch component;

[0073] Step S200: Generate a voltage signal to the vibration component based on the pressing information;

[0074] Step S300: The vibration component outputs a vibration signal that drives the touch component to vibrate based on the voltage signal.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0076] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, but these improvements all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key assembly for electrically connecting to a terminal device, comprising a base having a through hole, a touch assembly movably connected in the through hole, and a vibration assembly contactively connected to the touch assembly; the touch assembly is exposed to one side of the through hole for detecting pressing information; characterized in that, The vibration assembly comprises a substrate elastically supported on the base body and enclosing a receiving space with the base body, and a piezoelectric vibration part provided on the substrate corresponding to the position of the receiving space, the receiving space being communicated with the through hole; the terminal device provides a voltage signal to the piezoelectric vibration part according to the pressing information, the piezoelectric vibration part generates vibration through inverse piezoelectric effect and transmits to the touch assembly; The touch assembly is accommodated in the receiving space at one end of the vibration assembly and connected to the piezoelectric vibration part or the substrate; the piezoelectric vibration part comprises a first piezoelectric sheet and a second piezoelectric sheet fixed on opposite surfaces of the substrate along the thickness direction, the first piezoelectric sheet is towards the touch assembly and connected to the touch assembly; one of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet is used for electrically connecting a direct current voltage source, the other one of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet is used for grounding; the substrate is used for electrically connecting an alternating current voltage source; the voltage output by the direct current voltage source and the alternating current voltage source is positive voltage; the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are the same, and the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are parallel to the thickness directions of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet; wherein, if the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are the thickness directions of the second piezoelectric sheet to the first piezoelectric sheet, the first piezoelectric sheet is used for electrically connecting the direct current voltage source, and the second piezoelectric sheet is used for grounding; if the polarization directions of the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are the thickness directions of the first piezoelectric sheet to the second piezoelectric sheet, the first piezoelectric sheet is used for grounding, and the second piezoelectric sheet is used for electrically connecting the direct current voltage source; The touch assembly comprises a key cap penetrating the through hole from the receiving space, and a sensor connected to the piezoelectric vibration part provided on the side of the key cap facing the vibration assembly, the sensor is used for detecting pressing information; the touch assembly further comprises a support sheet fixed on the side of the sensor away from the key cap, and a gasket connected to the piezoelectric vibration part fixed on the side of the support sheet away from the sensor; a plurality of limiting blocks are further provided on the side surface of the substrate facing the touch assembly, one end of the limiting blocks facing the touch assembly is spaced apart from the touch assembly; the side of the gasket away from the support sheet is fixed on the first piezoelectric sheet, the thickness of the limiting block is greater than the thickness of the first piezoelectric sheet, and the thickness of the limiting block is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the gasket and the first piezoelectric sheet.

2. The key assembly of claim 1, wherein, The substrate is made of metal material.

3. The key assembly of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the support sheet is 0.1mm~1mm, and the thickness of the gasket is 0.1mm~0.5mm.

4. The key assembly of claim 1, wherein, The base body comprises a shell with a receiving groove and a bolt provided on the side of the receiving groove, two ends of the substrate along the length direction are provided with mounting holes, the substrate is fixedly connected to the shell through the bolt penetrating the mounting hole, and the substrate and the receiving groove enclose the receiving space.

5. The key assembly of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the substrate is 0.05mm-0.5mm.

6. A terminal device, comprising: The key assembly comprises the key assembly according to any one of claims 1-5.

7. A control method applied to the key assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5; characterized in that, The control method comprises: detecting pressing information by the touch assembly; generating a voltage signal according to the pressing information to the vibration assembly; the vibration assembly outputs a vibration signal to drive the touch assembly to vibrate according to the voltage signal.

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