Touchpad device
The combination structure of the base, bracket and swing component allows the touch circuit board assembly to move up and down relative to the base, solving the problem of inconsistent pressing feel caused by the cantilever structure and providing a uniform pressing experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUAIAN DARFON ELECTRONICS
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
The cantilever structure of common touchpads results in inconsistent pressing feel, especially the pressing operation near the fixed end is not easy to perceive.
The combination structure of base, bracket, first swing member and second swing member allows the touch circuit board assembly to move up and down relative to the base. The overall movement of the touch surface is achieved by the swinging of the first swing member and the second swing member, providing a uniform pressing feel.
It achieves uniformity of the pressing feel throughout the touchpad, improving the user's operating experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN122308629A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a touchpad, and more particularly to a pressable touchpad. Background Technology
[0002] Touchpads that typically provide button functionality usually employ a cantilever structure. Due to the deformation characteristics of this cantilever structure, the tactile feel varies at different points on the touchpad. Generally, the appropriate pressing position corresponds to or is close to the free end of the cantilever structure to obtain a better pressing feel. However, this structural configuration limits the user's actual pressing operations; for example, pressing relatively close to the fixed end of the cantilever structure may make it difficult for the user to accurately perceive whether the pressing operation has been completed. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a touchpad device whose entire touch surface can move up and down, providing the user with a better pressing feel.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a touchpad device is provided, comprising:
[0005] A base having a first side portion and a second side portion relative to the first side portion;
[0006] A bracket, which is positioned above the base;
[0007] A first swing member is swingably connected to the first side and the bracket;
[0008] A second swing member, swayably connected to the second side and the bracket, the bracket swinging relative to the base via the first and second swing members to move vertically relative to the base; and
[0009] A touch circuit board assembly, which is fixed on the bracket and has a touch surface facing upward;
[0010] The base, the bracket, the first swinging member, and the second swinging member are different components.
[0011] As an optional technical solution, a push-button switch is also included, which is disposed between the base and the touch circuit board assembly. The bracket moves downward so that the touch circuit board assembly moves toward the base to trigger the push-button switch.
[0012] As an optional technical solution, one of the first side portion and the first swing member includes a groove, and the other of the first side portion and the first swing member includes a sharp edge. The first swing member is swingably inserted into the groove through the sharp edge to be swingably connected to the first side portion.
[0013] As an optional technical solution, one of the bracket and the first swing member includes a groove, and the other of the bracket and the first swing member includes a sharp edge. The first swing member is swingably engaged into the groove through the sharp edge to be swingably connected to the bracket.
[0014] As an optional technical solution, the first side includes an elastic arm that pushes against the first swing member, so that the first swing member remains against the bracket.
[0015] As an optional technical solution, the first swing member is swingably connected to the first side via the elastic arm.
[0016] As an optional technical solution, the first side portion includes a stop portion, which is separate from the elastic arm, and the first swing member is swingably connected to the first side portion via the elastic arm and the stop portion.
[0017] As an optional technical solution, the first swing member has a shaft portion on each of its opposite sides, and the first swing member is embedded in the first side portion and the bracket respectively through the two opposite shaft portions to be swingably connected to the first side portion and the bracket.
[0018] As an optional technical solution, the bracket has a stop portion and the base has a limiting portion, which is located above the stop portion to prevent the bracket from moving upward.
[0019] As an optional technical solution, the base is located inside the bracket in a vertical direction.
[0020] As an optional technical solution, it also includes a third swing member and a fourth swing member, wherein the first side and the second side are arranged in a first direction, the base has a third side and a fourth side relative to the third side in a second direction, the first direction is not parallel to the second direction, the third swing member is swingably connected to the third side and the bracket, and the fourth swing member is swingably connected to the fourth side and the bracket, and the bracket swings relative to the base to move up and down relative to the base by the first swing member, the second swing member, the third swing member and the fourth swing member.
[0021] As an optional technical solution, the bracket has four stop parts, which are arranged alternately with the first swing member, the second swing member, the third swing member, and the fourth swing member. The base has four limiting parts, which are correspondingly located above the four stop parts to prevent the bracket from moving upward.
[0022] As an optional technical solution, an elastic element is also included, which is disposed between the base and the touch circuit board assembly, and the elastic element drives the touch circuit board assembly to move upward.
[0023] As an optional technical solution, the first swing member and the second swing member do not deform during the up-and-down movement of the bracket relative to the base.
[0024] In summary, the touchpad device of this invention moves up and down relative to the base by swinging relative to the base via a bracket (together with the touch circuit board assembly) through a first swing member and a second swing member. The touchpad device of this invention is not limited by the deformation of the cantilever structure, thus the tactile feel of pressing is largely the same at various points on the touchpad, allowing the user to obtain a better pressing feel.
[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description
[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a touchpad device according to an embodiment.
[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the touchpad device from another perspective.
[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the touchpad device.
[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device along line XX.
[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device when it is pressed.
[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 3 An enlarged view of the first side of the base of the touchpad device.
[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of the bracket of the central touchpad device corresponding to the first side.
[0033] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device along line YY.
[0034] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device when it is pressed.
[0035] Figure 10 This is a bottom view of a touchpad device according to another embodiment.
[0036] Figure 11 for Figure 10A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device along line ZZ.
[0037] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the touchpad device when it is pressed. Detailed Implementation
[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 5 According to one embodiment, a touchpad device 1 includes a base 12, a bracket 14, a first oscillating member 16, a second oscillating member 18, a third oscillating member 20, a fourth oscillating member 22, a touch circuit board assembly 24, and a button switch 26. The base 12 has a first side portion 122 and a second side portion 124 opposite to the first side portion 122 in a first direction D1 (indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure), and a third side portion 126 and a fourth side portion 128 opposite to the third side portion 126 in a second direction D2 (indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure). Figure 2 (The area is indicated by a dashed box); wherein, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are not parallel (e.g., perpendicular to each other). The bracket 14 is disposed above the base 12 (on a vertical direction Dv; the vertical direction Dv is indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure, and the vertical direction Dv is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2). The touch circuit board assembly 24 is fixed on the bracket 14 and has a touch surface 24a, which faces upward (or towards the side away from the bracket 14). A first swing member 16 is swingably connected to a first side portion 122 and a bracket 14; a second swing member 18 is swingably connected to a second side portion 124 and a bracket 14; a third swing member 20 is swingably connected to a third side portion 126 and a bracket 14; and a fourth swing member 22 is swingably connected to a fourth side portion 128 and a bracket 14. Thus, the bracket 14 (along with the touch circuit board assembly 24) swings relative to the base 12 via the first swing member 16, the second swing member 18, the third swing member 20, and the fourth swing member 22, allowing it to move up and down relative to the base 12. A push-button switch 26 is disposed between the base 12 and the touch circuit board assembly 24; downward movement of the bracket 14 causes the touch circuit board assembly 24 to move toward the base 12 to trigger the push-button switch 26 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown). In addition, in actual operation, the push-button switch 26 can be integrated with the touch circuit board assembly 24 (e.g., electrically fixed to the touch circuit board assembly 24), or it can be an electronic component independent of the touch circuit board assembly 24.
[0039] Furthermore, please also refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 These are enlarged views of the first side portion 122 of the base 12 and the corresponding enlarged view of the bracket 14 at the first side portion 122. The first side portion 122 includes four grooves 1222, all of which extend parallel to the second direction D2. The first swing member 16 (at Figure 6and Figure 7 (The outline of the four grooves 1222 is shown in dashed lines.) Each of the four grooves 1222 includes a sharp edge 162 (but the tip of the edge is not limited to the intersection of the two planes (edge); this tip can be rounded to help improve the stability of the relative sliding between the sharp edge 162 and the groove 1222 when the first swing member 16 swings). The sharp edge 162 also extends parallel to the second direction D2. The first swing member 16 is swingably engaged into the four grooves 1222 via the sharp edge 162 to be swingably connected to the first side portion 122. Furthermore, the bracket 14 includes two grooves 142 corresponding to the first side portion 122, both of which extend parallel to the second direction D2. The first swing member 16 also includes a sharp edge 164 corresponding to the two grooves 142, which also extends parallel to the second direction D2. The first swing member 16 is also swingably engaged into the two grooves 142 via the sharp edge 164 to be swingably connected to the bracket 14. The first oscillating member 16 swings relative to the base 12 (and bracket 14) due to the touch circuit board assembly 24 being pressed (e.g., a user's finger pressing the touch surface 24a). (See reference...) Figure 4 and Figure 5 In actual operation, the groove 1222 of the first side portion 122 can be replaced with a sharp edge, and the sharp edge 162 of the first swing member 16 can be replaced with a groove accordingly. In this case, the first swing member 16 can also be oscillatingly connected to the first side portion 122 by inserting the sharp edge into the groove. Similarly, the groove 142 of the bracket 14 can be replaced with a sharp edge, and the sharp edge 164 of the first swing member 16 can be replaced with a groove accordingly. In this case, the first swing member 16 can also be oscillatingly connected to the bracket 14 by inserting the sharp edge into the groove. In addition, in actual operation, the first swing member 16 is also connected with a sharp edge on one side and with a groove on the other side; this will not be described in detail.
[0040] In addition, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the first side portion 122 includes an elastic arm 1224 and two abutment portions 1226. The elastic arm 1224 is logically cantilevered with a free end, and pushes against the first swing member 16 (i.e., applies force to the first swing member 16 towards the support 14) with its free end, keeping the first swing member 16 abutting against the support 14, and ensuring there are no gaps between the base 12, the support 14, and the first swing member 16. The elastic arm 1224 has a single Y-shaped structure, with two grooves 1222 formed at the two free ends of the Y-shape; however, this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, the elastic arm 1224 can be formed with an S-shaped structure, an L-shaped structure, or other elastic structures; or, for example, the elastic arm 1224 can be formed with multiple elastic structures. Furthermore, the two abutment portions 1226 are separate from the elastic arm 1224 and located on both sides of the elastic arm 1224 in the second direction D2. Two more grooves 1222 are formed on the two abutment portions 1226. The first swing member 16 is swingably connected to the first side portion 122 via the elastic arm 1224 and the two abutment portions 1226. The two grooves 1222 not located on the elastic arm 1224 (the two grooves 1222 are located on the two abutment portions 1226) facilitate a stable connection between the first swing member 16 and the first side portion 122. However, this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, the elastic arm 1224 may simply abut against the bracket 14 to provide the force for the bracket 14 to remain abutted against the bracket 14, without any other structural constraint between them.
[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection structure between the third swing member 20 and the third side portion 126 (of the base 12) and the bracket 14 is substantially the same as the connection structure between the first swing member 16 and the first side portion 122 (of the base 12) and the bracket 14. Therefore, please refer to the previous description of the connection structure between the first swing member 16 and the base 12 and the bracket 14 (including variations), and it will not be repeated here. Also, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the touchpad device 1 is structurally symmetrical with respect to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Therefore, the connection structure between the second swing member 18 and the fourth swing member 22 and the base 12 and the bracket 14 is the same as the connection structure between the first swing member 16 and the third swing member 20 and the base 12 and the bracket 14, and will not be described again. Furthermore, in the touchpad device 1, since swing members are provided in different directions (i.e., the first direction D1 and the second direction D2), the bracket 14 (together with the touch circuit board assembly 24) can move smoothly up and down along the vertical direction Dv.
[0042] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The bracket 14 has four stop portions 144, and the base 12 correspondingly has four limiting portions 130. These four limiting portions 130 (and the corresponding four stop portions 144) are arranged alternately with the first swing member 16, the second swing member 18, the third swing member 20, and the fourth swing member 22. The four limiting portions 130 are located above the four stop portions 144. (See also...) Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are cross-sectional views of the touchpad device 1 before and after it is pressed. When the touchpad device 1 is not pressed (e.g....), Figure 8 As shown), the limiting part 130 blocks the stop part 144 to prevent the bracket 14 from moving upward, that is, it limits the highest position of the bracket 14 relative to the base 12, that is, it limits the overall thickness of the touchpad device 1. When the touchpad device 1 is pressed (e.g., Figure 9 As shown, the bracket 14 moves downward, and the stop portion 144 moves away from the limiting portion 130 and no longer contacts the limiting portion 130. Alternatively, in actual operation, an interference structure can be designed between the grooves 1222 and 142 and the sharp edges 162 and 164, so that when the bracket 14 moves upward relative to the base 12 to a certain height, the grooves 1222 and 142 can engage with the sharp edges 162 and 164, thereby achieving the limiting effect.
[0043] In addition, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in actual operation, when the button switch 26 is pressed, a rebound force may be generated (e.g., based on its internal contact opening and closing mechanism design). This rebound force may also serve as the restoring force of the touch circuit board assembly 24, depending on the actual situation (e.g., when the rebound force is large enough), driving the touch circuit board assembly 24 to move upward back to its original position after it is no longer pressed. Furthermore, in actual operation, the restoring force of the touch circuit board assembly 24 may also be provided by another elastic element, such as, but not limited to, a spring (represented by the dashed line). Figure 4 In this embodiment, the elastic element is disposed between the base 12 and the touch circuit board assembly 24, and the elastic element drives the touch circuit board assembly 24 to move upward. Additionally, in this embodiment, the elastic arms around the base 12 push the swinging member outward (for example, elastic arm 1224 pushes the first swinging member 16 outward), indirectly driving the support 14 (along with the touch circuit board assembly 24) to move upward. Therefore, this structural configuration also contributes to the reset of the touch circuit board assembly 24. If the pushing force of the elastic element is properly designed, the structure of the elastic element pushing the swinging member can also provide the required restoring force for the touch circuit board assembly 24.
[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the bracket 14 has a rectangular frame structure, and the base 12 is located inside the bracket 14 in the vertical direction Dv. The support force provided by the base 12 to the bracket 14 via the first swing member 16, the second swing member 18, the third swing member 20, and the fourth swing member 22 is all obliquely outward, which helps to stably support the bracket 14 (together with the touch circuit board assembly 24). However, this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, the base 12 can be made into a rectangular frame structure, and the bracket 14 structure can be correspondingly recessed towards the center so that it is located inside the base 12 in the vertical direction Dv. The first swing member 16, the second swing member 18, the third swing member 20, and the fourth swing member 22 can be modified accordingly to still be connected between the base 12 and the bracket 14; this will not be elaborated further. In addition, in this embodiment, the bracket 14 is supported by swing members (i.e., the first swing member 16, the second swing member 18, the third swing member 20, and the fourth swing member 22) on all four sides, but this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, in this embodiment, the first swing member 16 and the second swing member 18 are omitted, and the bracket 14 can still be stably supported on the base 12 via the third swing member 20 and the fourth swing member 22, which will not be described in detail.
[0045] In this embodiment, the touchpad device 1 is an assembly, in which the base 12, support 14, first swing member 16, second swing member 18, third swing member 20, and fourth swing member 22 are different components. Each component is formed and then assembled to complete the touchpad device 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the up-and-down movement of the support 14 relative to the base 12, the first swing member 16, second swing member 18, third swing member 20, and fourth swing member 22 do not deform; this structural configuration helps the support 14 to move smoothly up and down relative to the base 12. In addition, in this embodiment, the base 12, support 14, first swing member 16, second swing member 18, third swing member 20, and fourth swing member 22 are arranged horizontally and do not stack, which can reduce the overall thickness of the touchpad device 1.
[0046] Please see Figures 10 to 12 These are, respectively, a bottom view of the touchpad device 3 according to another embodiment, and a side view of the touchpad device 3 along... Figure 10 Cross-sectional view of the center line ZZ, and Figure 11The image shows a cross-sectional view of the touchpad device 3 when it is pressed. The touchpad device 3 has a largely similar structural logic to the aforementioned touchpad device 1. Therefore, for other descriptions of the touchpad device 3 (including structural descriptions not directly shown in the figure, such as button switches), please refer to the relevant descriptions of touchpad device 1 and its variations, which will not be repeated here. The main difference between the touchpad device 3 and the touchpad device 1 is that in the touchpad device 3, the connection structure between the first swing member 36, the second swing member 38, the third swing member 40, and the fourth swing member 42 and the base 32 and the bracket 34 is achieved by an injection molding process. That is, the first swing member 36, the second swing member 38, the third swing member 40, and the fourth swing member 42 are first formed, and then the first swing member 36, the second swing member 38, the third swing member 40, and the fourth swing member 42 are placed into the injection molding mold to form the base 32 or the bracket 34. The first swing member 36, the second swing member 38, the third swing member 40, and the fourth swing member 42 are then embedded in the base 32 or the bracket 34. The touch circuit board assembly 44 is fixed on the bracket 34.
[0047] Among them, the first swing member 36 (at Figure 10 In the example (where its hidden outline is drawn with dashed lines), the first swing member 36 has two shaft portions 362 and 364 on opposite sides in the first direction D1. Figure 10 In the middle, the area is indicated by a dashed box; in Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the diagram (represented by dashed circles), the first swing member 36 is embedded in the base 32 and the support 34 respectively; that is, the first swing member 36 is embedded in the base 32 (first side) via the shaft portion 362 and in the support 34 via the shaft portion 364, so as to be oscillatingly connected to the base 32 (first side) and the support 34. In actual operation, the first swing member 36 can be fixedly connected to the base 32 and the support 34 or rotatably connected. In the former (fixed connection), when the support 34 moves up and down relative to the base 32, the first swing member 36 generates a slight elastic flex (its rebound force can also be used as the restoring force of the support 34 (and the touch circuit board assembly 44)), and this elastic deformation can logically be regarded as the swing of the first swing member 36. In the latter (rotatable connection), for example, a release agent is applied to the shaft portions 362 and 364 so that the shaft portions 362 and 364 are not completely fixed to the base 32 and the support 34, but can still rotate. Regardless of whether the first swing member 36 is fixed to the base 32 and the bracket 34, can rotate relative to them, or both, the base 32 and the bracket 34 have clearance spaces 322 and 342 to reduce interference with the swing of the first swing member 36. On the other hand, the clearance spaces 322 and 342 also limit the swing of the first swing member 36, such as... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown; for example, clearance spaces 322, 342 limit the highest position of the bracket 34 (together with the touch circuit board assembly 44) (as shown). Figure 11 (As shown).
[0048] The touchpad device of this invention moves up and down relative to the base by swinging relative to the base via a bracket (together with the touch circuit board assembly) through a first swing member and a second swing member. The touchpad device of this invention is not limited by the deformation of the cantilever structure, thus the tactile feel of pressing is largely the same at various points on the touchpad, providing the user with a better pressing experience.
[0049] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A touchpad device, comprising: Include: A base having a first side portion and a second side portion relative to the first side portion; A bracket, which is positioned above the base; A first swing member is swingably connected to the first side and the bracket; The second swing member is oscillatingly connected to the second side and the bracket, and the bracket moves up and down relative to the base by swinging relative to the base via the first swing member and the second swing member; as well as A touch circuit board assembly, which is fixed on the bracket and has a touch surface facing upward; The base, the bracket, the first swinging member, and the second swinging member are different components.
2. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a push-button switch disposed between the base and the touch circuit board assembly, wherein the bracket moves downward to move the touch circuit board assembly toward the base to trigger the push-button switch.
3. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, One of the first side portion and the first swing member includes a groove, and the other of the first side portion and the first swing member includes a sharp edge. The first swing member is swingably engaged into the groove through the sharp edge to be swingably connected to the first side portion.
4. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, One of the bracket and the first swing member includes a groove, and the other of the bracket and the first swing member includes a sharp edge. The first swing member is swingably engaged into the groove through the sharp edge to be swingably connected to the bracket.
5. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, The first side includes a resilient arm that pushes against the first swing member, causing the first swing member to remain against the bracket.
6. The touchpad device of claim 5, wherein, The first swing member is swingably connected to the first side via the elastic arm.
7. The touchpad device of claim 5, wherein, The first side portion includes a stop portion that is separate from the elastic arm, and the first swing member is swingably connected to the first side portion via the elastic arm and the stop portion.
8. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, The first swing member has a shaft portion on each of its opposite sides. The first swing member is embedded in the first side portion and the bracket via the two opposite shaft portions to be swingably connected to the first side portion and the bracket.
9. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, The bracket has a stop portion, and the base has a limiting portion located above the stop portion to prevent the bracket from moving upward.
10. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, In a vertical direction, the base is located inside the bracket.
11. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a third swing member and a fourth swing member, wherein the first side and the second side are arranged in a first direction, the base has a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side in a second direction, the first direction is not parallel to the second direction, the third swing member is swingably connected to the third side and the bracket, and the fourth swing member is swingably connected to the fourth side and the bracket, and the bracket swings relative to the base to move up and down relative to the base by the first swing member, the second swing member, the third swing member and the fourth swing member.
12. The touchpad device of claim 11, wherein, The bracket has four stop parts, which are arranged alternately with the first swing member, the second swing member, the third swing member, and the fourth swing member. The base has four limiting parts, which are located above the four stop parts to prevent the bracket from moving upward.
13. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, It also includes an elastic element disposed between the base and the touch circuit board assembly, the elastic element driving the touch circuit board assembly to move upward.
14. The touchpad device of claim 1, wherein, During the movement of the support relative to the base, the first and second swing members do not deform. During the movement of the support relative to the base, the first and second swing members do not deform.