Touch structure, touch panel and electronic equipment

Abstract

According to the touch structure, the touchpad and the electronic equipment, the covering layer makes contact with a finger or a touch pen of a user, the touch layer is touched on the covering layer to generate the touch electric signal, in order to respond to excitation of the electric signal of the corresponding touch layer, the piezoelectric layer vibrates, the touch layer generates the excitation signal and transmits the excitation signal to the upper mechanism, and therefore the touch control effect is achieved. The piezoelectric layer is made of piezoelectric glass and vibrates after being powered on, vibration replaces arrangement of a vibration motor or several discrete piezoelectric ceramic pieces in the prior art, occupation of the structure space is obviously reduced, the overall thickness of the structure is reduced, consideration of traditional design on the whole touchpad structure is greatly simplified through the vibration mode, and the design cost is reduced. And the vibration design of the touch panel is almost standardized. More importantly, the mode of utilizing the whole plane to vibrate integrally avoids the user experience of inconsistent vibration handfeel at different positions of the touch panel due to different placement positions of the vibration motor, and greatly improves the vibration feedback experience of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of touchpads, and particularly to a touch structure, a touchpad, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] A touchpad senses the position and movement of a user's finger through a touch sensor and controls the movement of a pointer on a display interface. A force touchpad replaces physical pressing with haptic feedback to implement operations such as confirmation and menu invocation, solving the problem that a traditional touchpad can only be pressed locally. The force touchpad can adjust the response strength to the user's pressing action and the intensity of vibration feedback according to the user's usage habits, providing a more convenient and comfortable operation experience for the user.

[0003] Currently, a vibration motor is provided inside the touchpad as touch feedback, and the increased space occupied by the vibration motor results in an increase in the overall thickness of the touchpad. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is that a vibration motor is provided inside the current touchpad as touch feedback, and the increased space occupied by the vibration motor results in an increase in the overall thickness of the touchpad.

[0005] To solve the above problems, or at least partially solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a touch structure, a touchpad, and an electronic device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a touch structure, which includes a cover layer, a touch layer, and a piezoelectric layer. The cover layer is connected to the touch layer, the piezoelectric layer is connected to the touch layer, the cover layer, the touch layer, and the piezoelectric layer overlap in sequence. The touch layer emits an excitation signal, and the piezoelectric layer generates vibration in response to the excitation signal.

[0007] Preferably, the touch layer includes a circuit board, a control module, and a sensing coating;

[0008] The circuit board is respectively connected to the control module and the sensing coating.

[0009] Preferably, the sensing coating and the control module are respectively disposed on two opposite surfaces of the circuit board. The sensing coating contacts the cover layer, and the control module is close to the piezoelectric layer.

[0010] Preferably, the piezoelectric layer is provided with a hollow portion corresponding to the position of the control module on the circuit board.

[0011] Preferably, the circuit board is provided with a first part and a second part, and the first part is connected to the second part;

[0012] The first part is clamped between the covering layer and the piezoelectric layer, and the second part is disposed outside the clamping area of the covering layer and the piezoelectric layer.

[0013] Preferably, the control module is disposed on the second part, and the sensing coating is disposed on the first part.

[0014] Preferably, the control module includes a vibration driving circuit, a control circuit and a touch control circuit. The control circuit is respectively connected to the touch control circuit and the vibration driving circuit. The touch control circuit is electrically connected to the sensing coating, and the vibration driving circuit is connected to the piezoelectric layer.

[0015] Preferably, the covering layer is any one of a mylar sheet or a glass cover plate.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention discloses a touchpad, which includes the above-mentioned touch structure.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present invention discloses an electronic device, which includes the above-mentioned touch structure.

[0018] The above technical solution provided by the present application has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0019] For the touch structure, touchpad and electronic device provided by the present application, as mentioned in the touch structure, the covering layer contacts with the user's finger or stylus. When the covering layer is touched, a touch electrical signal is generated in the touch layer. In response to the excitation of the electrical signal corresponding to the touch layer, the piezoelectric layer generates vibration, and the touch layer generates an excitation signal and transmits it to the upper mechanism. The piezoelectric layer is made of piezoelectric glass and generates vibration when powered on, replacing the setting of the conventional vibration motor, reducing the occupation of the structural space and reducing the overall thickness of the structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the overall piezoelectric layer structure is used to generate vibration when powered on, replacing the setting of the conventional vibration motor or several discrete piezoelectric ceramic chips. This not only significantly reduces the occupation of the structural space and reduces the overall thickness of the structure, but also greatly simplifies the consideration of the entire touchpad structure in the traditional design, making the vibration design of the touchpad almost reach standardization. More importantly, this way of using the overall planar integrated vibration avoids the inconsistent vibration feeling of the user at different positions on the touchpad caused by the different placement positions of the vibration motor (or piezoelectric ceramic chips), and greatly improves the user's vibration feedback experience.

[0021] As mentioned in the touchpad, the touch structure is adopted, reducing the occupation of the internal space, reducing the thickness of the overall structure of the touchpad, and the weight is also reduced accordingly, making the overall product thinner and lighter.

[0022] As mentioned in the electronic device, the touch structure is adopted, so that the internal space occupation is less, the weight is reduced, and the product can be made thinner and lighter. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The drawings herein are incorporated into and form a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present invention, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, for those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 Structural schematic of a touch control structure provided by the present application Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 2 Exploded structural schematic of a touch control structure provided by the present application Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 3 Exploded structural schematic of a touch control structure provided by the present application Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 4 Structural schematic of a touch control structure provided by the present application Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 5 Exploded structural schematic of a touch control structure provided by the present application Figure 3 ;

[0030] Figure 6 Structural schematic diagram of the control module of a touch control structure provided by the present application.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0032] 1. Touch control structure;

[0033] 11. Cover layer

[0034] 12. Touch layer; 121. Circuit board; 1211. First part; 1212. Second part; 122. Control module; 1221. Vibration drive circuit; 1222. Control circuit; 1223. Touch circuit; 123. Inductive coating;

[0035] 13. Piezoelectric layer. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a touch structure 1, which includes a cover layer 11, a touch layer 12, and a piezoelectric layer 13. The cover layer 11 is connected to the touch layer 12, the piezoelectric layer 13 is connected to the touch layer 12, the cover layer 11, the touch layer 12, and the piezoelectric layer 13 overlap in sequence. The touch layer 12 emits an excitation signal, and the piezoelectric layer 13 generates vibrations in response to the excitation signal.

[0038] Specifically, the cover layer 11 and the piezoelectric layer 13 respectively cover both sides of the touch layer 12. The cover layer 11 is used to contact the touch device of the user's finger or stylus. The touch layer 12 converts the contact signal into a touch electrical signal according to the contact position. The piezoelectric layer 13 generates vibrations according to the touch electrical signal to provide a vibration feedback effect during touch.

[0039] It can be understood that the cover layer 11 contacts the user's finger or stylus. The touch layer 12 generates a touch electrical signal when the cover layer 11 is touched. In response to the excitation of the electrical signal corresponding to the touch layer 12, the piezoelectric layer 13 generates vibrations. The touch layer 12 generates an excitation signal and transmits it to the upper mechanism. The piezoelectric layer 13 is made of piezoelectric glass and generates vibrations when powered on, replacing the setting of the conventional vibration motor, reducing the occupation of the structural space, and reducing the overall thickness of the structure. Further, the overall piezoelectric layer 13 structure is used to generate vibrations when powered on, replacing the setting of the conventional vibration motor or discrete piezoelectric ceramic chips. This not only significantly reduces the occupation of the structural space and reduces the overall thickness of the structure, but also this vibration method greatly simplifies the consideration of the entire touchpad structure in the traditional design, making the vibration design of the touchpad almost reach standardization. More importantly, this way of using the overall planar integrated vibration avoids the inconsistent touch vibration feeling at different positions on the touchpad caused by the different placement positions of the vibration motor (or piezoelectric ceramic chips), greatly improving the user's vibration feedback experience.

[0040] Optionally, the cover layer 11, the touch layer 12, and the piezoelectric layer 13 are connected to each other by any one of glue pasting, snap connection structure snap connection, plug-in connection, magnetic attraction, etc.

[0041] Optionally, the cover layer 11 is any one of a mylar sheet mainly made of PET material and a glass cover plate.

[0042] Optionally, the piezoelectric layer 13 can also be made of piezoelectric ceramics or other rigid substrates containing piezoelectric materials (such as metals).

[0043] As an embodiment, the piezoelectric layer 13 can be made of piezoelectric glass.

[0044] The touch layer 12 includes a circuit board 121, a control module 122, and a sensing coating 123. The circuit board 121 is respectively connected to the control module 122 and the sensing coating 123.

[0045] Specifically, the control module 122 and the sensing coating 123 are provided on the circuit board 121. The control module 122 is electrically connected to the sensing coating 123. A circuit composed of electronic components such as pressure sensors is provided on the control module 122. The sensing coating 123 can collect the touch actions of the covering layer 11, convert them into electrical signals, and transmit them to the control module 122; when a touch action appears on the covering layer 11, a touch electrical signal is correspondingly generated on the sensing coating 123 and transmitted to the control module 122 to drive the piezoelectric layer 13 or transmit the electrical signal to other devices.

[0046] Optionally, the sensing coating 123 is made of a transparent conductive material, including any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), silver nanowires (AgNWs), metal mesh, etc.

[0047] Optionally, the circuit board 121 is made of PCB, FPC, or other materials that can print the sensing coating 123.

[0048] The control module 122 includes a vibration driving circuit 1221, a control circuit 1222, and a touch control circuit 1223. The control circuit 1222 is respectively connected to the touch control circuit 1223 and the vibration driving circuit 1221. The touch control circuit 1223 is electrically connected to the sensing coating 123. The vibration driving circuit 1221 is connected to the piezoelectric layer 13.

[0049] Specifically, the vibration driving circuit 1221 can drive the piezoelectric layer 13 to generate vibration. The touch control circuit 1223 can obtain the electrical signals generated on the sensing coating 123, transmit them to the control circuit 1222, and the control circuit 1222 then transmits the generated electrical signals to the upper mechanism to transmit the touch signals.

[0050] As an embodiment, the sensing coating 123 and the control module 122 are respectively provided on two opposite surfaces of the circuit board 121. The sensing coating is in contact with the covering layer 11. The control module 122 is close to the piezoelectric layer 13. The piezoelectric layer 13 is provided with a hollow at the position corresponding to the circuit board 121 where the control module 122 is located.

[0051] Specifically, the electronic components in the control module 122 are arranged on the surface of the circuit board 121. The electronic components on the control module 122 mainly include components such as pressure sensors, resistors, and capacitors. Since the electronic components themselves need to occupy a certain space, the piezoelectric layer 13 needs to be provided with a hollow structure to prevent the electronic components from lifting the piezoelectric layer 13, reducing the gap between the piezoelectric layer 13 and the touch layer 12, making the two fit more closely, and reducing the overall thickness of the touch structure 1.

[0052] As an embodiment, the circuit board 121 is provided with a first part 1211 and a second part 1212. The first part 1211 is connected to the second part 1212. The first part 1211 is clamped by the covering layer 11 and the piezoelectric layer 13. The second part 1212 is arranged outside the clamping area of the covering layer 11 and the piezoelectric layer 13. The control module 122 is arranged on the second part 1212, and the sensing coating 123 is arranged on the first part 1211.

[0053] Specifically, there is a clamping area between the covering layer 11 and the piezoelectric layer 13 to clamp the touch layer 12. The circuit board 121 of the touch layer 12 is itself divided into two parts. The sensing coating 123 is arranged on the first part 1211, and the second part 1212 is arranged outside the clamping area, that is, the second part 1212 is exposed outside the clamping area of the covering layer 11 and the piezoelectric layer 13. The second part 1212 is externally arranged, and the electronic components on the control module 122 can be arranged on the second part 1212. The first part 1211 is connected to the second part 1212. The control module 122 and the sensing coating 123 are connected through the conductive structure on the connection area between the first part 1211 and the second part 1212. The separate arrangement of the first part 1211 and the second part 1212 can also enable the piezoelectric layer 13 to be integrally arranged, avoiding the hollow setting and reducing the process steps during production.

[0054] In a second aspect, the present invention discloses a touchpad, which includes the above-mentioned touch structure. Specifically, the touchpad mentions adopting the touch structure, and the piezoelectric layer is made of piezoelectric ceramics and vibrates when powered on, replacing the previous vibration motor setting, reducing the occupation of internal space, reducing the thickness of the overall structure of the touchpad, and also reducing the weight, making the overall product thinner and lighter.

[0055] In a third aspect, the present invention discloses an electronic device, which includes the above-mentioned touch structure. Specifically, the electronic device mentions adopting the touch structure, and the piezoelectric layer is made of piezoelectric ceramics and vibrates when powered on, making the internal space of the electronic device occupied less, reducing the weight, and making the product thinner and lighter.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the various embodiments each have their own emphasis. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0057] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0058] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0059] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0060] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0061] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms should not be understood as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0062] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, provided that these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention also intends to include these changes and modifications therein.

[0063] As described above, the above is the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered by the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A touch structure, characterized in that, It includes a cover layer, a touch layer, and a piezoelectric layer. The cover layer is connected to the touch layer, and the piezoelectric layer is connected to the touch layer. The cover layer, the touch layer, and the piezoelectric layer overlap in sequence. The touch layer emits an excitation signal, and the piezoelectric layer generates vibration in response to the excitation signal.

2. The touch control structure according to claim 1, wherein The touch layer includes a circuit board, a control module, and an induction coating; The circuit board is respectively connected to the control module and the induction coating.

3. The touch control structure according to claim 2, wherein The induction coating and the control module are respectively arranged on two opposite surfaces of the circuit board. The induction coating contacts the cover layer, and the control module is close to the piezoelectric layer.

4. The touch structure according to claim 3, wherein, The piezoelectric layer is provided with a hollowed-out portion corresponding to the position of the control module on the circuit board.

5. The touch structure according to claim 2, wherein, The circuit board is provided with a first part and a second part, and the first part is connected to the second part; The first part is clamped by the cover layer and the piezoelectric layer, and the second part is arranged outside the clamping area of the cover layer and the piezoelectric layer.

6. The touch structure according to claim 5, wherein, The control module is arranged on the second part, and the induction coating is arranged on the first part.

7. The touch control structure according to claim 2, wherein The control module includes a vibration drive circuit, a control circuit, and a touch circuit. The control circuit is respectively connected to the touch circuit and the vibration drive circuit. The touch circuit is electrically connected to the induction coating, and the vibration drive circuit is connected to the piezoelectric layer.

8. The touch control structure according to claim 1, wherein, The cover layer is made of either a mylar film or a glass cover plate.

9. A touchpad, characterized in that, A touch structure including any one of the above claims 1-8.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, A touch structure including any one of the above claims 1-8.

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