Touch panel group module and electronic equipment

Abstract

A touchpad module disclosed by the present invention comprises a touchpad and a touchpad linkage structure arranged below the touchpad, the touchpad linkage structure comprises a switch component, a support member, an auxiliary support member and a plurality of elastic members, the switch component is configured to confirm a pressing action when receiving a downward pressure of a predetermined degree of the touchpad, and the elastic members are configured to support the touchpad. The supporting piece is configured to enable one side of the touchpad to drive the touchpad on the other side opposite to the side to move downwards when the side is pressed, and the auxiliary supporting piece is configured to be arranged near the switch component and support the touchpad above the switch component when the touchpad is not pressed. And the elastic piece is configured to enable the touchpad to return to the initial position when the touchpad is stopped being pressed. According to the scheme, the whole touchpad is driven to move downwards through the supporting piece, the pressing stroke is consistent no matter what position on the touchpad is pressed, and therefore the hand feeling is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer technology. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a touchpad module of a laptop computer includes a touchpad and a bracket for installing and supporting the touchpad. A mounting opening is formed on the upper shell of the laptop computer host, and a fixing hole penetrating downward is formed on the bottom wall of the upper shell of the host computer at a position adjacent to the mounting opening. A locking ear extending outward is formed on the edge of the bracket of the touchpad module, and a mounting hole matching the fixing hole is formed at the locking ear. Screws pass through the mounting hole and the fixing hole to fix the touchpad module on the upper shell of the host computer.

[0003] Since the existing touchpad module is a movable part, after assembly, when the user presses the touchpad, the stroke in the middle is small and the stroke on both sides is large, resulting in inconsistent feel; the upper end of the touchpad is fixed, and the function cannot be triggered when the upper end is pressed; on the other hand, the touchpad also has the problem of weak structure and easy deformation. There are currently several solutions: improving the feel by adding springs to the bracket, but the disadvantage is that the pressing stroke cannot be consistent; setting two switch components on the touchpad to achieve the function of pressing the entire size of the touchpad; it is aimed at improving the feel of the laptop touchpad buttons, and the left and right buttons are each supported by a connecting rod to balance the button structure. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem of inconsistent pressing strokes in different areas of a touch panel module in the prior art and the problem of no function in a screw fixing area.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a touchpad module, including a touchpad and a touchpad linkage structure arranged below the touchpad, the touchpad linkage structure including a switch component, a support member, an auxiliary support member and a plurality of elastic members, the switch component is configured to confirm a pressing action when a predetermined degree of downward pressure on the touchpad is received, the support member is configured to drive the touchpad on the other side opposite to the side to move downward when one side of the touchpad is pressed, the auxiliary support member is configured to be arranged near the switch component and to support the touchpad above the switch component when the touchpad is not pressed, and the elastic member is configured to restore the touchpad to its initial position after the touchpad stops being pressed.

[0006] As a further improvement, the touch panel linkage structure includes a first side and a second side that are arranged opposite to each other, and a plurality of elastic members are arranged on the first side and the second side.

[0007] As a further improvement, the surface of the touch panel linkage structure includes at least one layer of adhesive material, and the touch panel linkage structure is glued or adhered to the touch panel through the adhesive material.

[0008] As a further improvement, the touch panel linkage structure includes a first side, a third side, a second side and a fourth side connected in sequence, the first side is opposite to the third side, and the second side is opposite to the fourth side.

[0009] As a further improvement, the support member includes a first metal connecting rod arranged on the first side, a second metal connecting rod on the second side, a third metal connecting rod on the third side and a fourth metal connecting rod on the fourth side.

[0010] As a further improvement, the first side includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, an edge of the first metal connecting rod is rotatably connected near the first edge, and an edge of the auxiliary support member is rotatably connected near the second edge.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, comprising a first housing, wherein the first housing comprises an opening, and the touch panel module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 is arranged in the opening.

[0012] As a further improvement, the touch panel linkage structure is connected to the first housing by means of a locking washer and screws.

[0013] As a further improvement, the anti-loosening washer is in the shape of an elongated strip, and its two ends are respectively fixed on the opposite sides of the touch panel linkage structure.

[0014] As a further improvement, the opening is provided with a touch panel tray structure, and the touch panel tray structure is integrally formed with the first shell.

[0015] As a further improvement, the touch panel tray structure is provided with a wire outlet hole for passing the connecting wire of the touch panel.

[0016] As a further improvement, the touchpad tray structure is provided with a positioning column hole, which is arranged at a position basically in the middle of the third side and the fourth side. Corresponding positioning columns are also arranged on the third side and the fourth side of the touchpad linkage structure.

[0017] Beneficial effects: This solution uses a metal connecting rod to drive the entire touch panel to move downward, so that the pressing stroke is consistent no matter where the touch panel is pressed, thereby improving the feel. When the front end of the touch panel is pressed, the rear end also moves downward synchronously through the drive of the left and right metal connecting rods, triggering the switch component to realize the touch panel function. There is no need to add a switch component to the touch panel, which saves the cost of the touch panel, enhances the structural strength of the touch panel, and solves the problem of easy deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Attached Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a base with a touch panel module in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 2 An exploded view of the touch panel linkage structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 3 is a side view of the touch panel module along a third side direction viewing angle in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 4 is a side view of the touch panel module along the first side direction viewing angle in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the bottom shell of the touch panel linkage structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 6 In the embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-section position in the BB direction and CC direction; Attached Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram along the BB direction in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Figure 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view along the CC direction in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first shell in an embodiment of the present invention; Attached Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of the other surface of the bottom shell of the touch panel linkage structure; Attached Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the installation position of the anti-loosening washer and the first housing; Attached Fig.12 For the attachment Fig.11 Schematic diagram of the cross section of the DD line. Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, the terms used in the specification will be briefly described, and the embodiments will be described in detail. All terms including descriptive terms or technical terms used herein should be interpreted as having meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, these terms may have different meanings according to the intentions of those of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies.

[0020] In addition, some terms can be selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the embodiment. Therefore, the terms used herein must be defined based on the meaning of the terms together with the description in the entire specification. In addition, when a component "includes" or "contains" an element, unless there is a specific description to the contrary, the component may also include other elements without excluding other elements. In the following description, terms such as "component" and "module" indicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation, wherein the unit and module can be implemented as hardware or software or by combining hardware and software and implemented.

[0021] Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the following description, well-known functions or structures are not described in detail because they will obscure the embodiments with unnecessary details, and throughout the specification, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar elements.

[0022] The electronic device may include a display portion having a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The electronic device as illustrated is a laptop computer. However, it should be understood that this is only an example, and in different implementations, the electronic device may be a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a cellular phone, a wearable device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a digital media player, a display, a kitchen appliance, and / or any other electronic device.

[0023] See attached Figure 1 To Attachment Figure 8 The base portion may include a first housing 100, and the first housing 100 may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a side wall formed integrally with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The first housing 100 may be formed of a plastic or metal member. The first housing 100 may define a keyboard area and a touchpad 500 area, the first housing 100 may define a flat surface, and the keyboard area and the touchpad 500 area may be defined on the flat surface. The first housing 100 may define an opening, and the portable computer may further include a touchpad module at least partially positioned in the opening.

[0024] The touchpad module includes a touchpad 500 and a touchpad linkage structure 300 arranged below the touchpad 500, and the touchpad 500 linkage structure includes a switch component 309, a support member, an auxiliary support member 304 and a plurality of elastic members 308; the switch component 309 is configured to confirm a pressing action when a predetermined degree of downward pressure is received on the touchpad 500; the support member is configured to drive the touchpad 500 on the other side opposite to the side to move downward when one side of the touchpad 500 is pressed; the auxiliary support member 304 is configured to be arranged near the switch component 309, and support the touchpad 500 above the switch component 309 when the touchpad 500 is not pressed; and the plurality of elastic members 308 are configured to restore the touchpad 500 to its initial position after the touchpad 500 stops being pressed.

[0025] The surface of the touch pad linkage structure 300 includes at least one layer of adhesive material 400, and the touch pad linkage structure 300 is glued or adhered to the touch pad 500 through the adhesive material 400. For example, the touch pad linkage structure 300 can be glued or adhered to the touch pad 500 using an adhesive (e.g., HSA, PSA, epoxy resin, cyanoacrylate, etc.). As another example, the touch pad linkage structure 300 can be fused to the touch pad 500 through a sintering and / or annealing process.

[0026] More specifically, the touchpad linkage structure 300 can be fixed on the first housing 100, and the touchpad linkage structure 300 and the first housing 100 are connected together using a locking washer 200 and a screw 600. The locking washer 200 can be any material, such as plastic, metal, foam, etc. The locking washer 200 is arranged between the touchpad linkage structure 300 and the housing. The screw 600 passes through the first housing 100, the locking washer 200 and the touchpad linkage structure 300 from the bottom of the first housing 100 in sequence to connect the touchpad linkage structure 300 and the first housing 100 together.

[0027] The locking washer 200 may be configured to be in the shape of a long strip, and two locking washers 200 may be configured, and the two locking washers 200 are respectively fixed on opposite sides of the touch panel linkage structure 300 .

[0028] In some embodiments, the elastic member 308 may be a metal spring 308. The touch panel linkage structure 300 includes a first side edge and a second side edge disposed on opposite sides of the touch panel 500, and a metal connecting rod disposed on the first side edge and the second side edge. The first side edge and the second side edge are provided with metal springs 308 for making the touch panel 500 rebound after being pressed, and the metal springs 308 are evenly distributed on the first side edge and the second side edge.

[0029] See attached Figure 2In an optimized embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel 500 is matched in shape, and the touch panel linkage structure 300 includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side arranged on the four edges of the touch panel 500. The first side, the third side, the second side and the fourth side of the touch panel linkage structure 300 are connected in sequence. The first side is opposite to the third side, and the second side is opposite to the fourth side. The first side and the second side are provided with metal shrapnel 308 for making the touch panel 500 rebound after being pressed, and the metal shrapnel 308 is evenly distributed on the first side and the second side. The third side and the fourth side do not need to be provided with metal shrapnel 308. Optimally, positioning columns without elastic function are also provided on the third side and the fourth side of the touch panel linkage structure 300.

[0030] The support member includes a first metal connecting rod 303 arranged on a first side, a second metal connecting rod 305 on a second side, a third metal connecting rod 307 on a third side, and a fourth metal connecting rod 306 on a fourth side. Each metal connecting rod has a substantially rectangular shape. One long side of each rectangular metal connecting rod is connected to the touch panel linkage structure 300 through a buckle. The area of ​​each metal connecting rod is substantially the same as the area of ​​each side.

[0031] The first side includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge. One edge of the first metal connecting rod 303 is rotatably connected to the vicinity of the first edge. One edge of the auxiliary support member 304 is rotatably connected to the vicinity of the second edge.

[0032] The touch panel linkage structure 300 is provided with a top shell 301 and a bottom shell 302 stacked in the vertical direction, and the metal spring 308, the first metal connecting rod 303, the second metal connecting rod 305, the third metal connecting rod 307 and the fourth metal connecting rod 306 are all arranged in the cavity surrounded by the top shell 301 and the bottom shell 302.

[0033] See attached Figure 3 To the attached Figure 8 , the touch panel linkage structure 300 includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side arranged on the four edges of the touch panel 500. The first side, the third side, the second side and the fourth side of the touch panel linkage structure 300 are connected in sequence. The first side is opposite to the third side, and the second side is opposite to the fourth side. The position of the third side is defined as the upper end of the touch panel 500, the position of the side of the first side is the lower end of the touch panel 500, the position of the second side is the left side of the touch panel 500, and the position of the fourth side is the right side of the touch panel 500.

[0034] The following briefly describes the working principle of the linkage between the upper and lower ends of the touch panel 500. The first long side of the first metal link 303 is connected to the touch panel linkage structure 300 through a buckle, and the other long side of the first metal link 303 opposite to the first long side can rotate around the first long side, and the other long side is called the movable end. Similarly, the first long side of the third metal link 307 is connected to the touch panel linkage structure 300 through a buckle, and the other long side of the third metal link 307 opposite to the first long side of the third metal link 307 can rotate around the first long side of the third metal link 307, and the other long side is also a movable end. In the initial position, the movable end of the first metal link 303 and the movable end of the second metal link 305 are both in contact with the lower surface of the touch panel 500. When the upper end of the touch panel 500 is pressed (in the direction of the third side), the third metal connecting rod 307 is subjected to pressure, and the movable end of the third metal connecting rod 307 rotates around the first long side of the third metal connecting rod 307; as the upper end of the touch panel 500 moves downward, the touch panel 500 squeezes the movable end of the first metal connecting rod 303, further driving the movable end of the first metal connecting rod 303 to rotate around the first long side of the first metal connecting rod 303, thereby realizing the overall downward movement of the touch panel 500 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The working principle of the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the situation of synchronous linkage of four sides. When the first side and the third side have the above-mentioned structure, the second side and the fourth side are also configured similarly. The first long side of the second metal connecting rod 305 is connected to the touch panel linkage structure 300 through a buckle, and the other long side of the second metal connecting rod 305 opposite to the first long side can rotate around the first long side, and the other long side is called the movable end. Similarly, the first long side of the fourth metal connecting rod 306 is connected to the touch panel linkage structure 300 through a buckle, and the other long side of the fourth metal connecting rod 306 opposite to the first long side of the fourth metal connecting rod 306 can rotate around the first long side of the fourth metal connecting rod 306, and the other long side is also the movable end In other words, when four metal connecting rods are respectively arranged on four sides, the movable ends of the four metal connecting rods jointly support the lower end of the touch panel 500. When the metal connecting rods in any direction receive downward pressure, the other movable ends also rotate downward synchronously due to the pressure, so that when the touch panel 500 is pressed, the first metal connecting rod 303, the second metal connecting rod 305, the fourth metal connecting rod 306 and the third metal connecting rod 307 drive the touch panel 500 to move downward as a whole, so as to ensure that the pressing stroke is consistent regardless of any area of ​​the touch panel 500 being pressed, thereby solving the problem of inconsistent triggering stroke of the touch panel 500 when pressing different areas, and improving the hand feel.

[0036] Further, the support structure may not be in direct contact with the touch panel 500, and the touch panel linkage structure 300 includes a top shell 301 and a first bottom shell 302, wherein the switch component 309, the support member, the auxiliary support member 304, and the plurality of elastic members 308 are all arranged between the top shell 301 and the bottom shell 302. The switch component 309, the support member, the auxiliary support member 304, and the plurality of elastic members 308 are all fixedly installed in the bottom shell 302, and the movable end of the support member abuts against the top shell 301. The outer surface of the top shell 301 is provided with an adhesive material 400, and the top shell 301 is glued or adhered to the touch panel 500 through the adhesive material 400.

[0037] Furthermore, the connection position between the support member and the bottom shell 302 can be optimized and limited. The top shell 301 and the bottom shell 302 of the touch pad linkage structure 300 can be set as a ring. The ring-shaped touch pad linkage structure 300 is composed of a first side, a third side, a second side and a fourth side connected in sequence. Each side includes an outer edge close to the edge of the touch pad 500 and an inner edge close to the center of the touch pad 500. The metal connecting rod as a support member can be connected to the inner edge of each side.

[0038] Further, when the switch component 309 is arranged on the first side, the first side includes an inner edge and an outer edge opposite to the inner edge. The first metal connecting rod 303 is substantially rectangular in shape, and the outer edge of the first metal connecting rod 303 is rotatably connected to the outer edge of the first side. The auxiliary support member 304 is also a metal connecting rod substantially rectangular in shape, including an inner edge and an outer edge opposite to the inner edge. The area of ​​the first metal connecting rod 303 may be greater than the area of ​​the auxiliary support member. The auxiliary support member 304 may be arranged inside the first metal connecting rod 303, and the inner edge of the auxiliary support member 304 is rotatably connected near the inner edge of the first side. The switch component 309 is arranged inside the auxiliary support member 304.

[0039] The first side is provided with a touch panel switch component 309, which is provided in a cavity surrounded by the top shell 301 and the bottom shell 302. A plurality of metal springs 308 are evenly provided on the first side and the third side, and the metal springs 308 play a role in supporting the touch panel 500 to prevent it from sinking. When the touch panel 500 is pressed downward, it contacts the switch component 309 on the bottom shell 302, and the touch panel switch component 309 is triggered.

[0040] See attached Fig. 9 To Attachment Fig.12 In some embodiments, a touch panel 500 tray structure may be disposed in the opening of the first housing 100 of the electronic device, and the touch panel 500 tray structure is integrally formed with the first housing 100. The touch panel 500 touch panel module is disposed in the opening, above the touch panel 500 tray structure.

[0041] The touchpad 500 tray structure is provided with a touchpad 500 outlet hole, which is used to allow the connection wires of the touchpad 500 to pass through and connect to the mainboard arranged in the first shell 100. The touchpad 500 tray structure is also provided with a screw column hole 103. The screw 600 passes through the first shell 100, the locking washer 200 and the touchpad linkage structure 300 from the bottom of the first shell 100 in sequence to connect the touchpad linkage structure 300 and the first shell 100 together. Correspondingly, screw columns 3021 corresponding to the screw column holes 103 can also be provided on the first side and the second side of the touchpad linkage structure 300.

[0042] The touch panel 500 tray structure may also be provided with a positioning column hole 102, which is provided at a substantially middle position between the third side and the fourth side. Correspondingly, the third side and the fourth side of the touch panel linkage structure 300 are also provided with positioning columns 3022 corresponding to the positioning column holes 102. By providing the touch panel 500 tray structure, only avoidance holes need to be added to facilitate the installation and wiring of the touch panel 500, and the first shell 100 is no longer hollow in the middle, and the strength of the first shell 100 is greatly increased.

[0043] This patent is about the feel of pressing the touch area of ​​a touchpad. Most touchpads now do not have separate left and right buttons. They are a large flat plate made of glass or plastic. This patent also aims to solve the problem that the fixed end of the front end of a traditional touchpad structure has no function when pressed. The three connecting rods on the front and back of the touchpad play a balancing role, and the two connecting rods on the left and right press the front end of the touchpad, which drives the lower end of the touchpad to move downward to trigger the click function.

[0044] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. The description of the features or aspects within each implementation side should generally be considered to be applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touch panel module, characterized in that: The invention comprises a touch panel (500) and a touch panel linkage structure (300) arranged below the touch panel (500), wherein the touch panel linkage structure (300) comprises a switch component (309), a support component, an auxiliary support component (304) and a plurality of elastic components (308), wherein the switch component (309) is configured to confirm a pressing action when receiving a predetermined degree of downward pressure from the touch panel (500), wherein the support component is configured to drive the touch panel (500) on the other side opposite to the side to move downward when one side of the touch panel (500) is pressed, wherein the auxiliary support component (304) is configured to be arranged near the switch component (309) and to support the touch panel (500) above the switch component (309) when the touch panel (500) is not pressed, and wherein the elastic component (308) is configured to restore the touch panel (500) to an initial position when the touch panel (500) stops being pressed.

2. The touch panel module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch panel linkage structure (300) comprises a first side and a second side that are arranged opposite to each other, and a plurality of elastic members (308) are arranged on the first side and the second side.

3. The touch panel module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the touch panel linkage structure (300) comprises at least one layer of adhesive material (400), and the touch panel linkage structure (300) is glued or adhered to the touch panel (500) via the adhesive material (400).

4. The touch panel module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch panel linkage structure (300) comprises a first side, a third side, a second side and a fourth side which are connected in sequence, the first side is opposite to the third side, and the second side is opposite to the fourth side.

5. The touch panel module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The support member comprises a first metal connecting rod (303) arranged on the first side, a second metal connecting rod (305) on the second side, a third metal connecting rod (307) on the third side, and a fourth metal connecting rod (306) on the fourth side.

6. The touch panel module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first side includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, an edge of the first metal connecting rod (303) is rotatably connected to the vicinity of the first edge, and an edge of the auxiliary support member (304) is rotatably connected to the vicinity of the second edge.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that: It comprises a first shell (100), wherein the first shell (100) comprises an opening, and the touch panel module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged in the opening.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The touch panel linkage structure (300) is connected to the first housing (100) via a locking washer (200) and a screw (600).

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The anti-loosening washer (200) is in the shape of an elongated strip, with two ends respectively fixed on opposite sides of the touch panel linkage structure (300).

10. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The opening is provided with a touch panel (500) tray structure, and the touch panel (500) tray structure is integrally formed with the first shell (100).

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The touch panel (500) tray structure is provided with a wire outlet hole (101) for allowing the connecting wire of the touch panel (500) to pass through.

12. The electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The touch panel (500) tray structure is provided with a positioning column hole (102), and the positioning column hole (102) is arranged at a position substantially in the middle of the third side and the fourth side. Corresponding positioning columns (3022) are also arranged on the third side and the fourth side of the touch panel linkage structure (300).

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