Touch panel display unit with haptic feedback

Abstract

A touch panel display unit includes a front case and an electrode assembly. The front housing includes a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface. The electrode assembly is configured to detect a displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface. The electrode assembly includes a deformable electrode defining a cavity filled with a pressurized fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a touch panel display unit with haptic feedback. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are provided only as background information relating to this disclosure and may not constitute background technology.

[0003] In some applications, such as game consoles, mobile phones, and automobiles, touch-sensitive displays (touchscreens) or other input elements with a surface provided for being touched (touch surfaces) are used, in which tactile feedback is provided after a corresponding touch by a user. This tactile feedback occurs, for example, through movement of the touch surface—e.g., by shaking or vibration. A drive unit provides this movement, which is mechanically coupled to the touch surface in a suitable manner to transmit the vibration generated by the drive unit to the touch surface. For example, such a drive unit can be controlled by an electronic control unit based on the detected touch on the touch surface. Such a drive system may include, for example, a piezoelectric actuator.

[0004] Such display units with haptic feedback may include one or more damping components to provide a restoring force in response to operation of the actuating unit. The restoring force provided by the damping components will be uniformly distributed across the entire touch surface. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section provides a general overview of this disclosure, rather than a full disclosure of its entire scope or all its features.

[0006] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a touch panel display unit including a front housing and an electrode assembly. The front housing includes a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface. The electrode assembly is configured to detect the displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement. The electrode assembly includes deformable electrodes defining a cavity filled with pressurized fluid.

[0007] In the variation of the touch panel display described above, this variation can be implemented individually or in any combination: the fluid is pressurized air; the deformable electrode includes a flat wall and an arcuate wall, the arcuate wall engaging with a front housing; the electrode assembly includes a sensing electrode located between the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode and the front housing, the sensing electrode engaging with both the arcuate wall and the front housing; when the touch surface is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a rest position where a first region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode to a deformable position where a second region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode, the second region being larger than the first region; the rear housing includes a first groove formed in its first surface, the front housing includes a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, the deformable electrode is partially located in the first groove, and the sensing electrode is completely located in the first groove. The deformable electrode is made of elastic conductive foam in a second groove; the rear housing is fixed to the front housing, and the deformable electrode is located at the periphery of the front and rear housings; the drive unit is configured to displace the touch surface in response to a force acting on the touch surface; the drive unit includes a piezoelectric actuator; the rear housing is fixed to the front housing, and the front and rear housings cooperate with each other to define a first compartment and a second compartment surrounding the first compartment, the drive unit is disposed in the first compartment and the deformable electrode is disposed in the second compartment; the rear housing is fixed to the front housing, the rear housing includes a first groove formed in a first surface, and the front housing includes a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, the deformable electrode is partially located in the first and second grooves; and the deformable electrode extends around the entire periphery of the front housing.

[0008] In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a touch panel display unit including a rear housing, a front housing, and an electrode assembly. The front housing cooperates with the rear housing to define a first compartment and a second compartment surrounding the first compartment. The front housing includes a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on a touch surface. The electrode assembly is disposed within the second compartment. The electrode assembly is configured to detect the displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface. The electrode assembly includes a deformable electrode and a sensing electrode. The deformable electrode includes an arcuate wall and a flat wall that engages with the rear housing. The deformable electrode also defines a cavity filled with pressurized fluid. The sensing electrode is located between the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode and the front housing. The sensing electrode engages with the arcuate wall and the front housing.

[0009] In the variation of the touch panel display described in the previous paragraph, this variation can be implemented individually or in any combination: the pressurized fluid is pressurized air; the drive unit is disposed in the first compartment and configured to displace the touch surface in response to a force applied to the touch surface; the deformable electrode is made of elastic conductive foam; the rear housing includes a first groove formed in a first surface, and the front housing includes a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, wherein when the rear housing and the front housing are connected to each other, the first groove and the second groove cooperate to define a second compartment; and when the touch surface is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a rest position in which a first region of the arcuate wall engages with a sensing electrode to a deformable position in which a second region of the arcuate wall engages with a sensing electrode, the second region being larger than the first region.

[0010] In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a touch panel display unit including a rear housing, a front housing, a drive unit, and an electrode assembly. The rear housing includes a first recess formed in a first surface. The front housing includes a second recess formed in a second surface facing the first surface. The front housing includes a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface. The drive unit is configured to displace the touch surface in response to a force acting on the touch surface. The electrode assembly is located between the rear housing and the front housing. The electrode assembly is configured to detect the displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement. The electrode assembly includes a deformable electrode and a sensing electrode. The deformable electrode portion is disposed within the first recess and is made of elastic conductive foam. The deformable electrode includes an arcuate wall and a flat wall that engages with the rear housing. The flat wall and the arcuate wall cooperate to define a cavity filled with pressurized air. The sensing electrode is disposed within the second recess and is located between the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode and the front housing, engaging with both the arcuate wall and the front housing. When the touchscreen is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a resting position where a first region of its curved wall engages with a sensing electrode to a deformable position where a second region of its curved wall engages with a sensing electrode. The second region is larger than the first region.

[0011] Further applicability will be apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the descriptions and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To better understand this disclosure, its various forms will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel display unit with electrode components according to the principles of this disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1An exploded perspective view of the touch panel display unit;

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another exploded perspective view of the touch panel display unit;

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The rear perspective view of the touch panel display unit, with the rear housing removed for clarity;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the touch panel display unit, in which the electrode assembly is in a stationary state;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the touch panel display unit, wherein the electrode assembly is in a displaced state; and

[0019] Figure 7 This is a functional block diagram of an example touch panel display unit based on the principles of this disclosure.

[0020] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding parts and features.

[0022] This disclosure relates to a touch panel display unit including a touch surface and an electrode assembly. The touch surface is configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface. The electrode assembly includes deformable electrodes filled with pressurized fluid. In this manner, the electrode assembly is configured to detect the displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface.

[0023] refer to Figures 1 to 3 A touch panel display unit 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The display unit 100 can be fixed to a mounting base (not shown) and includes a front housing 108, a rear housing 110, a driving unit 112, an electrode assembly 116, and a controller 117. Figure 7 Force can be applied to the display unit 100. That is, when a user presses an element displayed on the touchscreen or touch surface 118 of the front housing 108 to perform an operation, for example, a force F caused by the user's finger (not shown). finger It can be applied to the display unit 100. The force F generated by the drive unit 112 serves as tactile feedback to the user. actuatorResponse force F finger And it acts on the display unit 100. Furthermore, the force F representing one or more damping components... Damping It can act on the display unit 100 to suppress mechanical vibrations caused by the movement of the touch surface 118 and / or the drive unit 112. In this way, force F actuator equals F finger Add F Damping (that is, F) actuator = F Damping + F finger ).

[0024] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The front housing 108 includes a touchscreen 118 on its front side 120a. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The front side 120a is opposite to its rear side 120b. As described above, the touchscreen 118 is configured to be displaced relative to the rear housing 110 in response to a force acting on the touchscreen 118. In one embodiment, the touchscreen 118 is positioned relative to the front surface 124 of the front housing 108. Figure 2 (Flush-on) In another embodiment, the touchscreen 118 is offset relative to the front surface 124 of the front housing 108. In one embodiment, for example, the touchscreen 118 is made of a non-conductive material such as glass or plastic. In the example shown, the touchscreen 118 is transparent. In another configuration, the touchscreen 118 may be opaque.

[0025] In one embodiment, the front housing 108 includes a connector 122 located on the rear side 120b. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Connector 122 extends from the rear surface 126 of the front housing 108 toward the rear housing 110. Connector 122 is also positioned inwardly relative to a recess 128 formed in and around the rear surface 126 of the front housing 108. In other words, the recess 128 formed in and completely surrounding the rear surface 126 is closer to the periphery of the front housing 108 than connector 122. Each connector 122 includes an opening that at least partially extends through it. In some forms, the opening 130 may optionally include an internal thread.

[0026] The rear housing 110 cooperates with the front housing 108 to form multiple compartments that are separate from each other and house the drive unit 112, the printed circuit board 184 (PCB), and the electrode assembly 116. The rear housing 110 includes a surface 134 facing the rear surface 126 of the front housing 108. Figure 1 and Figure 2Surface 134 defines a recess 136 formed in and completely surrounding surface 134 and aligned with a recess 128 of the front housing 108. In this way, a compartment 138a is formed in the display unit 100, which surrounds compartment 138b. Figure 1 In other words, compartment 138a is closer to the periphery of display unit 100 than compartment 138b. Furthermore, compartment 138a is configured to house electrode assembly 116, while compartment 138b is configured to house drive unit 112 and PCB 184.

[0027] In one embodiment, the rear housing 110 also includes a connector 140. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The connector extends from its rear side away from the front housing 108 and is positioned between compartments 138a and 138b. Each connector 140 includes an opening for receiving a corresponding connector 122 from the front housing 108. In this way, fasteners 144, such as bolts, screws, or rivets, are used. Figure 1 For example, connectors 122 and 140 may extend through the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110, respectively, to secure the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110 to each other and form compartments 138a and 138b. It should be understood that connectors 122 and 140 may otherwise cooperate to secure the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110 to each other, such as by means of interlocking clips or adhesives.

[0028] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The drive unit 112 is located in the middle part of the display unit 100 (i.e., in compartment 138b) and provides haptic feedback. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the drive unit 112 includes a first housing 148, a second housing 150, a third housing 152, and an actuator 154. The first housing 148 is mechanically coupled to the touchscreen 118. The second housing 150 is mounted between the rear housing 110 and the first housing 148 and floats relative to the first housing 148. The third housing 152 is fixed to the first housing 148 and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first housing 148 and the second housing 150. The actuator 154 is in mechanical contact with the first housing 148 such that the force generated by the actuator 154 can be transmitted to the first housing 148.

[0029] In one embodiment, actuator 154 is a piezoelectric actuator or piezoelectric actuator. A piezoelectric actuator may have multiple layers of piezoelectric material that are mechanically stacked and electrically connected in parallel to achieve a greater range of motion. Actuator 154 is located in a cavity 158 between a first housing 148 and a second housing 150, and is mechanically coupled to the first housing 148 on one side and to the second housing 150 on the opposite side. Actuator 154 is also housed within a structure formed by housings 148, 150, and 152. The shape and formation of the structure formed by housings 148, 150, and 152 provide a sound-absorbing structure that suppresses the transmission of sound from actuator 154 to the outside of the structure.

[0030] The elastic element 156 is located between the first housing 148 and the second housing 150, and generates a restoring force in response to compression of the elastic element 156 based on the corresponding deflection of the actuator 154. The elastic element 156 sets the operating position of the second housing 150, and thus sets the operating position of the actuator 154. In one embodiment, the elastic element 156 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber and may be in the form of an O-ring or a washer. In this way, the elastic element 156 may also act as a seal to prevent fluid and debris from entering the cavity 158 housing the actuator 154.

[0031] In one embodiment, the elastic element 156 is filled with a pressurized fluid, such as pressurized air, which determines the elastic or damping properties of the elastic element 156, although other configurations, such as solid materials, may also be used. An example of such a drive unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 869,209, entitled “DISPLAY ELEMENT HAVING VARIABLE DAMPING,” which is commonly owned by and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0032] refer to Figures 4 to 6 Electrode assembly 116 is disposed in compartment 138a of display unit 100 formed by front housing 108 and rear housing 110. Figure 5 and Figure 6The electrode assembly 116 includes a deformable electrode 170 and a sensing electrode 172. Displacement of the touchscreen 118 is achieved by measuring changes in capacitive coupling associated with the deformable electrode 170 and the sensing electrode 172 located between the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110. The deformable electrode 170 generates a restoring force in response to compression of the deformable electrode 170 based on a corresponding deflection of the actuator 154. In one embodiment, the deformable electrode 170 may have, for example, a rectangular shape and be made of, for example, an elastic conductive foam material. In other embodiments, the deformable electrode 170 may have a non-rectangular shape depending on the shape of the housings 108, 110 and / or may be made of a conductive rubber material or any other suitable conductive flexible material configured to cooperate with the sensing electrode 172 to measure changes in capacitive coupling.

[0033] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the deformable electrode 170 has a D-shaped cross-section and is disposed within a compartment 138a formed by the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110 (i.e., the deformable electrode 170 is at least partially located in a recess 128 of the front housing 108 and at least partially located in a recess 136 of the rear housing 110). In other words, the deformable electrode 170 extends entirely around the compartment 138a formed by the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110 and has a flat wall 170a and an arcuate wall 170b that cooperate to form a cavity 174 filled with pressurized fluid. In one embodiment, the pressurized fluid is a pressurized gas and may be, for example, pressurized air, nitrogen, or any other suitable gas.

[0034] The cavity 174 is filled with pressurized fluid via a fluid device (not shown), which includes a valve (not shown), a fluid reservoir (not shown), a pump (not shown), and a fluid line (not shown) configured to fluidly connect the fluid reservoir to the cavity 174. In this manner, prior to assembly of the display unit 100, the pressurized fluid contained in the fluid reservoir is pumped via the fluid line into the cavity 174 of the deformable electrode 170. The valve can increase or decrease the pressure of the fluid entering the deformable electrode 170 based on the elastic or damping properties desired for a particular application.

[0035] A flat wall 170a is received in a recess 136 of the rear housing 110 and may extend parallel to the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110. In the illustrated example, the flat wall 170a abuts against a flat surface 176a defining the recess 136. In some embodiments, the flat wall 170a may be bonded to the flat surface 176a defining the recess 136 using an adhesive material. An arcuate wall 170b may be partially received in the recess 136 of the rear housing 110 and at least partially received in the recess 128 of the front housing 108. In the illustrated example, a portion of the arcuate wall 170b engages (i.e., presses against) the flat surface 176b defining the recess 128 of the front housing 108 via a sensing electrode 172. When the touch surface 118 is displaced as described above, the deformable electrode 170 moves from a resting position in which a portion of the arcuate surface 178 of the arcuate wall 170b contacts the sensing electrode 172. Figure 5 ) moves to a deformable position where most of the arcuate surface 178 of the arcuate wall 170b contacts the sensing electrode 172. Figure 6 ).

[0036] Sensing electrode 172 is received in a recess 128 of the front housing 108 and extends parallel to the front housing 108 and the rear housing 110. Sensing electrode 172 has a planar shape and abuts against a flat surface 176b defining the recess 128, such that sensing electrode 172 is positioned between deformable electrode 170 and the front housing 108. In some embodiments, sensing electrode 172 can be bonded to the flat surface 176b defining the recess 128 using an adhesive material. In some configurations, sensing electrode 172 can abut against flat surface 176a, and flat wall 170a of deformable electrode 170 can abut against flat surface 176b. Sensing electrode 172 is aligned with deformable electrode 170 and has a thickness less than that of deformable electrode 170. In some embodiments, contact surface 180 of sensing electrode 172 may be provided with an electrically insulating layer (not shown). In this manner, when the deformable electrode 170 is pressed against the sensing electrode 172 during the displacement of the touchscreen 118 as described above, the electrical insulating layer prevents the overlying deformable electrode 170 from making direct electrical contact with the sensing electrode 172. The insulating layer may include a plastic film or a plastic / resin encapsulation layer over the sensing electrode 172.

[0037] In the example shown, the sensing electrode 172 is provided by a conductive trace deposited on a flat surface 176b defining a recess 128. The sensing electrode 172 may be a copper foil bonded to the flat surface 176b. Conductive trace 182 ( Figures 4 to 6Conductive traces 182a and 182b may be deposited at the ends of sensing electrode 172 and may extend from sensing electrode 172 to printed circuit board (PCB) 184 mounted to rear housing 110. In other words, conductive traces 182a and 182b are deposited on sensing electrode 172, front housing 108, and PCB 184, thus electrically connecting sensing electrode 172 and PCB 184 to each other. In one embodiment, conductive traces 182a and 182b may be copper foil bonded to a portion of sensing electrode 172, rear surface 126 of front housing 108, and PCB 184. In another embodiment, conductive traces 182a and 182b may be wires extending between sensing electrode 172 and PCB 184 and electrically coupled to sensing electrode 172 and PCB 184, thereby electrically connecting sensing electrode 172 and PCB 184 to each other.

[0038] refer to Figure 5 The electrode assembly 116 is in a static state with no load / force applied to the touchscreen 118. Therefore, based on the elastic or damping properties desired for a particular application (i.e., based on the predetermined pressure of the pressurized fluid contained in the cavity 174 of the deformable electrode 170), the deformable electrode 170 is not compressed (or deformed) and is in a static position. In the static position, a portion of the arcuate surface 178 of the arcuate wall 170b contacts the sensing electrode 172. In some configurations, when the electrode assembly 116 is in a static state, the deformable electrode 170 may be under slight compression to accommodate geometric variations in the display unit 100 due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0039] refer to Figure 6 The electrode assembly 116 is in a displacement state in which no load / force F is applied to the touchscreen 118. For example, the load / force could be provided by a user's finger. In the displacement state, the deformable electrode 170 is compressed (or deformed) and is in a deformed position. In the deformed position, a larger portion of the curved surface 178 presses against the sensing electrode 172 compared to the resting position, causing the curved surface 178 to flatten relative to the sensing electrode 172. When force is applied, the capacitive coupling between the deformable electrode 170 and the sensing electrode 172 increases. The controller 117 is configured to measure the characteristics of the capacitive coupling associated with the deformable electrode 170 and the sensing electrode 172, thereby allowing determination of whether displacement has occurred.

[0040] It should be understood that various methods exist in which the characteristics of the capacitive coupling between the deformable electrode 170 and the sensing electrode 172 can be measured. For example, the mutual capacitive coupling between the deformable electrode 170 and the sensing electrode 172 can be measured by applying a drive signal to one of the electrodes 170, 172 and measuring the degree of coupling between the drive signal and the other electrode 170, 172. In another example, the self-capacitance of one of the electrodes 170, 172 can be measured relative to a reference potential while the other of the electrodes 170, 172 is connected to a reference potential (e.g., system ground or other system reference potential). In yet another example, one of the electrodes 170, 172 may include two mutually capacitively coupled components. That is, the sensing electrode 172 can be replaced with a sensing electrode comprising a pair of parallel conductors that are insulated from each other but relatively close to each other on the front housing 108 and have a gap between them below the deformable electrode 170. The mutual capacitive coupling between the two conductors can be measured by applying a drive signal to one of the conductors and measuring the degree of coupling between the drive signal and the other conductor. When the overlying deformable electrode 170 is compressed onto the electrode under an applied load / force, the component of the drive signal coupled between the electrodes will generally decrease.

[0041] refer to Figure 7 The controller 117 is configured to operate the display unit 100 in a displacement mode, in which the display unit 100 is configured to sense the displacement of the touch screen 118. The controller 117 includes a measurement module 117a and a processing module 117b.

[0042] Measurement module 117a is configured to measure the capacitive characteristics associated with electrodes 170 and 172 (e.g., measuring the mutual capacitance between electrodes 170 and 172, or measuring the self-capacitance of one of electrodes 170 and 172). Depending on the embodiment, measurement module 117a may be coupled to deformable electrode 170 and sensing electrode 172 in various ways. The connection between measurement module 117a and the respective electrodes 170 and 172 can be performed, for example, using appropriate wiring and / or conductive traces. In another embodiment, measurement module 117a may be configured to measure the self-capacitance of sensing electrode 172 when deformable electrode 170 is connected to a system reference potential. Measuring the self-capacitance of sensing electrode 172 can be performed by applying a time-varying drive signal relative to system ground (or other reference potential) to sensing electrode 172 and determining the extent to which the drive signal is capacitively coupled to system ground via a conductive path connected to system ground potential near sensing electrode 172. The presence of deformable electrode 170 contributes to the extent to which sensing electrode 172 is capacitively coupled to the reference potential. Furthermore, the magnitude of this capacitive coupling depends on the spacing (offset) between the sensing electrode 172 and the deformable electrode 170. Therefore, the magnitude of the capacitive coupling between the two electrodes 170 and 172 depends on the volume between them. Thus, when the touchscreen 118 is displaced under load, the self-capacitance of the sensing electrode 172 changes, thereby compressing the deformable electrode 170 toward the sensing electrode 172.

[0043] Processing module 117b is configured to receive an indication of the measured capacitance characteristics of sensing electrode 172 from measurement module 117a and determine the displacement of touchscreen 118. In some embodiments, processing module 117b may be configured to determine the absolute value of displacement, for example, by converting a single capacitance measurement (or the average of several capacitance measurements) into a displacement offset based on a calibration function. For example, the calibration function may be established during initial setup based on modeling or conventional capacitance measurement techniques. Specifically, baseline values ​​corresponding to measurements of the relevant capacitance characteristics of sensing electrode 172 when there is no displacement—for example, when display unit 100 is initially turned on—can be established at various times. The calibration function can then be used to convert the difference between the capacitance measurement and the baseline measurement into the corresponding displacement.

[0044] In another embodiment, processing module 117b can be configured to provide a binary indication of whether a displacement greater than a threshold displacement exists. For example, processing module 117b can be configured to identify when a measured change in capacitance exceeds a predefined threshold and determine that this corresponds to a displacement greater than the amount corresponding to the predefined threshold displacement. An appropriate value for the predefined threshold in any given implementation can be established regarding the degree to which a determined displacement that has occurred is expected to trigger, and this value can be dynamically selected to suit a given application. It should be understood that a self-capacitance method such as described above can be employed similarly, but measurement module 117a is instead configured to measure the self-capacitance of deformable electrode 170 when sensing electrode 172 is connected to a system reference potential. That is, the connections of deformable electrode 170 and sensing electrode 172 can be interchanged.

[0045] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values ​​indicating mechanical / thermal properties, percentages of composition, dimensions and / or tolerances or other characteristics in describing the scope of this disclosure shall be understood to be modified by the words “about” or “approximately”. Such modifications are expected for various reasons, including industrial practice, materials, manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and testing capabilities.

[0046] As used herein, the phrases A, B, and C, at least one of which should be interpreted using the non-exclusive logic "or" as signifying logic (A or B or C), rather than as "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C".

[0047] In this application, the terms “controller” and / or “module” may refer to, be part of, or include the following: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; combinational logic circuit; field-programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; memory circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality (e.g., an operational amplifier circuitry integrator as part of a thermal flux data module); or combinations of some or all of the foregoing, such as in a single-chip system.

[0048] The term "memory" is a subset of the term "computer-readable medium." As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" does not cover transient electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); therefore, the term "computer-readable medium" can be considered tangible and non-transient. Non-limiting examples of non-transient, tangible computer-readable media include non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0049] The apparatus and methods described in this application can be implemented, in part or in whole, by a dedicated computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to execute one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications and can be translated into computer programs through the routine work of those skilled in the art or programmers.

[0050] The description in this disclosure is merely illustrative in nature, and therefore, any changes that do not depart from the substance of this disclosure are intended to be within its scope. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A touch panel display unit, comprising: A front housing, the front housing including a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface; as well as An electrode assembly configured to detect displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface, the electrode assembly including a deformable electrode defining a cavity filled with pressurized fluid.

2. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The fluid is pressurized air.

3. The touch panel display unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The deformable electrode includes a flat wall and an arcuate wall, wherein the arcuate wall engages with the front housing.

4. The touch panel display unit as described in claim 3, wherein, The electrode assembly includes a sensing electrode located between the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode and the front housing, the sensing electrode being engaged with the arcuate wall and the front housing.

5. The touch panel display unit as described in claim 4, wherein, When the touch surface is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a resting position where the first region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode to a deformable position where the second region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode.

6. The touch panel display unit of claim 4, further comprising a rear housing including a first groove formed in a first surface thereon, the front housing including a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, the deformable electrode portion being located in the first groove, and the sensing electrode being located entirely in the second groove.

7. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The deformable electrode is made of elastic conductive foam.

8. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rear housing fixedly connected to the front housing, the deformable electrode being located around the periphery of the front housing and the rear housing.

9. The touch panel display unit of claim 1, further comprising a driving unit configured to displace the touch surface in response to the force acting on the touch surface.

10. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The drive unit includes a piezoelectric actuator.

11. The touch panel display unit of claim 9, further comprising a rear housing fixed to the front housing, the front housing and the rear housing cooperating with each other to define a first compartment and a second compartment surrounding the first compartment, the drive unit being disposed in the first compartment, and the deformable electrode being disposed in the second compartment.

12. The touch panel display unit of claim 1, further comprising a rear housing fixed to the front housing, the rear housing including a first groove formed in a first surface, and the front housing including a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, the deformable electrode portion being located in the first groove and the second groove.

13. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The deformable electrode extends around the entire periphery of the front housing.

14. A touch panel display unit, comprising: Rear housing; A front housing that cooperates with the rear housing to define a first compartment and a second compartment surrounding the first compartment, the front housing including a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface; as well as An electrode assembly disposed within the second compartment, the electrode assembly being configured to detect displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface, the electrode assembly comprising: A deformable electrode, comprising an arcuate wall and a flat wall engaging with the rear housing, the deformable electrode further defining a cavity filled with pressurized fluid; as well as A sensing electrode is located between the front housing and the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode, and the sensing electrode is engaged with the arcuate wall and the front housing.

15. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The pressurized fluid is pressurized air.

16. The touch panel display unit of claim 14, further comprising a driving unit disposed within the first compartment and configured to displace the touch surface in response to a force applied to the touch surface.

17. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The deformable electrode is made of elastic conductive foam.

18. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The rear housing includes a first groove formed in a first surface, and the front housing includes a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, wherein when the rear housing and the front housing are connected to each other, the first groove and the second groove cooperate to define the second compartment.

19. The touch panel display unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein, When the touch surface is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a resting position where the first region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode to a deformable position where the second region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode, the second region being larger than the first region.

20. A touch panel display unit, comprising: Rear housing, the rear housing including a first groove formed in a first surface; A front housing, the front housing including a second groove formed in a second surface facing the first surface, the front housing including a touch surface configured to be displaced in response to a force acting on the touch surface; A driving unit configured to displace the touch surface in response to the force acting on the touch surface; as well as An electrode assembly located between the front housing and the rear housing, the electrode assembly being configured to detect displacement of the touch surface and provide damping in response to the displacement of the touch surface, the electrode assembly comprising: A deformable electrode, wherein the deformable electrode portion is disposed within the first groove and is made of elastic conductive foam, the deformable electrode including an arcuate wall and a flat wall engaging with the rear housing, the flat wall and the arcuate wall cooperating with each other to define a cavity filled with pressurized air; and A sensing electrode is disposed within the second groove and located between the front housing and the arcuate wall of the deformable electrode, and engages with the arcuate wall and the front housing. When the touch surface is displaced, the deformable electrode moves from a resting position where the first region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode to a deformable position where the second region of the arcuate wall engages with the sensing electrode, the second region being larger than the first region.

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