Touch switch

Abstract

The utility model discloses a touch switch, which comprises a touch panel, a metal electrode and a middle shell, and is characterized in that the back surface of the touch panel is fixedly connected with the metal electrode; the middle shell is provided with a via hole through which the metal electrode penetrates; the middle shell comprises an outer wall, a bottom wall and an inner wall; the inner wall is close to and surrounds the via hole, and the outer wall is connected with the touch panel; the outer wall, the bottom wall and the inner wall are enclosed to form a sinking groove, and the sinking groove is used for collecting water permeating into a gap between the touch panel and the outer wall. The technical scheme of the utility model aims to reduce the risk that the touch switch loses efficacy when encountering water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of contact switch technology, and in particular to a touch switch. Background Technology

[0002] Touch switches are widely used in daily life due to their advantages of high sensitivity, ease of cleaning, and high reliability. For example, the control buttons of devices such as smart kettles, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers are commonly touch switches. However, during product application, those skilled in the art have found that these touch switches are prone to poor contact and touch failure when exposed to water. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a touch switch that reduces the risk of touch switches failing when exposed to water.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A touch switch includes a touch panel, metal electrodes, and an intermediate housing.

[0006] The back of the touch panel is fixedly connected to the metal electrode; the intermediate housing has a through hole for the metal electrode to pass through; the intermediate housing includes an outer wall, a bottom wall, and an inner wall;

[0007] The inner wall is positioned close to and surrounding the through hole, and the outer wall is connected to the touch panel; the outer wall, the bottom wall, and the inner wall together form a sink, which is used to collect moisture that seeps into the gap between the touch panel and the outer wall.

[0008] In one embodiment, the intermediate shell is further provided with a water-absorbing element located in the settling tank for absorbing water.

[0009] In one embodiment, a receiving housing is further provided on the back of the touch panel. The receiving housing is fixedly connected to the metal electrode and can accommodate the metal electrode inside the receiving housing.

[0010] After the touch panel is connected to the outer wall, the housing can be provided with the through hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the end of the housing is provided with a snap-fit ​​member that engages with the wall of the through hole.

[0012] In one embodiment, a conductive layer is disposed within the housing, and the touch panel, the conductive layer, and the metal electrode are sequentially and tightly connected.

[0013] In one embodiment, the touch switch further includes a circuit board and a lower housing; the circuit board is fixed inside the lower housing, and the lower housing is fixedly connected to the intermediate housing;

[0014] The metal electrode includes a metal sheet and a compression spring;

[0015] The metal sheet has two folded portions, so that the metal sheet has a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a third contact portion arranged parallel to each other;

[0016] One end of the compression spring is welded to the circuit board, and the other end of the compression spring can simultaneously contact the first contact portion and / or the third contact portion when it abuts against the second contact portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first contact portion and the third contact portion are structurally symmetrical, and the distance between the first contact portion and the third contact portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the compression spring.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This invention provides a solution by incorporating an intermediate housing within a touch switch. This intermediate housing has a through-hole for the metal electrodes to pass through. The housing also includes an outer wall, a bottom wall, and an inner wall, with the inner wall positioned close to and surrounding the through-hole. The outer wall is connected to the touch panel. The outer wall, bottom wall, and inner wall together form a recessed groove. During use, if a gap exists between the outer wall and the touch panel, external moisture can easily pass through this gap. Therefore, the recessed groove collects and stores this moisture, preventing direct contact between the moisture and the touch panel and electrodes, thus reducing the risk of the touch switch malfunctioning when exposed to water. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this utility model. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and purposes that this utility model can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the touch switch of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A in the image;

[0024] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the touch switch of this utility model;

[0025] Illustration: 100, Touch switch;

[0026] 110. Touch panel; 112. Housing; 113. Snap-fit ​​connector; 114. Conductive layer;

[0027] 120. Metal electrode; 121. Metal sheet; 121a. Fold-back portion; 1211. First contact portion; 1212. Second contact portion; 1213. Third contact portion; 122. Compression spring;

[0028] 130. Intermediate shell; 130a. Through hole; 131. Outer wall; 132. Bottom wall; 133. Inner wall; 130b. Settlement tank;

[0029] 140. Water-absorbing component; 150. Circuit board; 160. Lower housing. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be a component centrally located at the same time.

[0032] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] This utility model embodiment provides a touch switch 100.

[0034] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of this utility model, the touch switch 100 includes a touch panel 110, a metal electrode 120, and an intermediate housing 130.

[0035] The back of the touch panel 110 is fixedly connected to the metal electrode 120; the intermediate housing 130 has a through hole 130a for the metal electrode 120 to pass through; the intermediate housing 130 includes an outer wall 131, a bottom wall 132 and an inner wall 133.

[0036] The inner wall 133 is disposed close to and around the through hole 130a, and the outer wall 131 is connected to the touch panel 110; the outer wall 131, the bottom wall 132 and the inner wall 133 enclose to form a sink 130b, which is used to collect moisture that seeps into the gap between the touch panel 110 and the outer wall 131.

[0037] It is understood that the present invention provides an intermediate housing 130 in the touch switch 100. The intermediate housing 130 has a through hole 130a for the metal electrode 120 to pass through. The intermediate housing 130 also includes an outer wall 131, a bottom wall 132, and an inner wall 133, wherein the inner wall 133 is disposed close to and around the through hole 130a, and the outer wall 131 is connected to the touch panel 110. The outer wall 131, the bottom wall 132, and the inner wall 133 enclose and form a recess 130b. During the use of the touch switch 100, if there is a gap between the outer wall 131 and the touch panel 110, external moisture can easily pass through the gap between the outer wall 131 and the touch panel 110. Therefore, the recess 130b can be used to collect and store the moisture, avoiding direct contact between the moisture and the touch panel 110 and the metal electrode 120, thereby reducing the risk of the touch switch 100 failing when exposed to water.

[0038] It should also be noted that, under normal circumstances, the outer wall 131 is connected to the touch panel 110 by adhesive bonding. With adhesive bonding, as the service life increases, the adhesive bonding is prone to failure or partial failure, which can easily lead to external moisture entering the interior of the touch switch 100.

[0039] Optionally, the outer wall 131 is connected to the touch panel 110 by screws.

[0040] Please see Figure 1 In one specific embodiment, the intermediate shell 130 is further provided with a water-absorbing element 140, which is located in the settling tank 130b and is used to absorb water.

[0041] It is understood that the absorbent element 140 can be a desiccant, or it can be absorbent foam or silicone, etc., that assists in water evaporation and has a water-absorbing function. This increases the evaporation rate and the amount of water absorbed in the settling tank 130b.

[0042] It is also understood that the touch panel 110 is usually a flat panel, so the height of the inner wall 133 is set to be less than the horizontal height of the outer wall 131 in order to avoid interference between the inner wall 133 and the touch panel 110.

[0043] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In a specific embodiment, the back of the touch panel 110 is also provided with a housing 112, the housing 112 is fixedly connected to the metal electrode 120, and the metal electrode 120 can be housed in the housing 112.

[0044] After the touch panel 110 is connected to the outer wall 131, the housing 112 can pass through the through hole 130a.

[0045] It is understood that the housing 112 can be used to fix the metal electrode 120 on the one hand, and further protect the metal electrode 120 on the other hand to avoid direct contact with moisture.

[0046] Optionally, in a specific embodiment, to prevent moisture from entering the metal electrode 120, the inner wall 133 is disposed along the hole wall of the through hole 130a, and the inner wall 133 is tightly fitted with the housing 112.

[0047] Furthermore, a sealing strip is provided between the inner wall 133 and the housing 112.

[0048] Optionally, in order to ensure the sensitivity of the touch panel 110 in conjunction with the metal motor 10, the inner wall 133 and the housing 112 slide vertically together.

[0049] Furthermore, to improve the reliability of the assembly of the two, a snap-fit ​​member 113 is provided at the end of the housing 112, and the snap-fit ​​member 113 engages with the wall of the through hole 130a.

[0050] Furthermore, a conductive layer 114 is provided inside the housing 112, and the touch panel 110, the conductive layer 114, and the metal electrode 120 are sequentially and tightly connected.

[0051] It is understood that the conductive layer 114 is provided to improve the reliability of the connection between the touch panel 110 and the metal electrode 120.

[0052] Optionally, the conductive layer 114 can be either an insulating material or a conductive material.

[0053] Optionally, in order to increase the effective touch area of ​​the touch panel 110, the conductive layer 114 includes both an insulating material with adhesive properties and a conductive material, and the conductive material has an arc-shaped structure on the side near the metal electrode 120.

[0054] It is understandable that when a finger touches the touch panel above the non-metallic electrode 120, even with slight deformation, the finger sensation can still be conducted to the metallic electrode 120 through the arc of the conductive layer 114.

[0055] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In a specific embodiment of this utility model, the touch switch 100 further includes a circuit board 150 and a lower housing 160; the circuit board 150 is fixed inside the lower housing 160, and the lower housing 160 is fixedly connected to the intermediate housing 130.

[0056] The metal electrode 120 includes a metal sheet 121 and a compression spring 122;

[0057] The metal sheet 121 has two folded portions 121a, so that the metal sheet 121 has a first contact portion 1211, a second contact portion 1212, and a third contact portion 1213 arranged parallel to each other;

[0058] One end of the compression spring 122 is welded to the circuit board 150, and the other end of the compression spring 122 can simultaneously contact the first contact portion 1211 and / or the third contact portion 1213 when it abuts against the second contact portion 1212.

[0059] It is understood that the circuit board 150 is configured such that the metal electrode 120 and the circuit board 150 can sense changes in capacitance or resistance through the interaction of a finger or other conductive medium, thereby enabling the touch switch 100 to be switched on or off.

[0060] It is also understandable that the design of the metal sheet 121 avoids welding the compression spring 122 to the metal sheet 121, reducing the manufacturing process of the touch switch 100. This improves the reliability of the connection between the metal sheet 121 and the compression spring 122 while saving production costs.

[0061] It should also be noted that the compression spring 122 is electrically conductive.

[0062] Furthermore, the first contact portion 1211 and the third contact portion 1213 are structurally symmetrical, and the distance between the first contact portion 1211 and the third contact portion 1213 is smaller than the outer diameter of the compression spring 122.

[0063] It is understandable that, in order to fix the compression spring 122 to the metal sheet 121, the first contact portion 1211 and the third contact portion 1213 are structurally symmetrical.

[0064] Furthermore, in order to improve the reliability of the conductive connection between the compression spring 122 and the metal sheet 121, the distance between the first contact portion 1211 and the third contact portion 1213 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the compression spring 122, so that at least one section of the compression spring 122 has an expansion potential energy between the first contact portion 1211 and the second contact portion 1212 or between the third contact portion 1213 and the second contact portion 1212, so as to achieve the reliability of the conductive connection between the compression spring 122 and the metal sheet 121.

[0065] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A touch switch (100), characterized in that, It includes a touch panel (110), metal electrodes (120), and a middle housing (130). The back of the touch panel (110) is fixedly connected to the metal electrode (120); the intermediate housing (130) has a through hole (130a) for the metal electrode (120) to pass through; the intermediate housing (130) includes an outer wall (131), a bottom wall (132) and an inner wall (133). The inner wall (133) is disposed close to and around the through hole (130a), and the outer wall (131) is connected to the touch panel (110); the outer wall (131), the bottom wall (132) and the inner wall (133) enclose to form a sink (130b), which is used to collect moisture that seeps into the gap between the touch panel (110) and the outer wall (131).

2. The touch switch (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate shell (130) is also provided with a water-absorbing element (140), which is located in the settling tank (130b) and is used to absorb water.

3. The touch switch (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the touch panel (110) is also provided with a housing (112), which is fixedly connected to the metal electrode (120) and can accommodate the metal electrode (120) inside the housing (112); After the touch panel (110) is connected to the outer wall (131), the housing (112) can pass through the through hole (130a).

4. The touch switch (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the housing (112) is provided with a snap-fit ​​member (113), which engages with the wall of the through hole (130a).

5. The touch switch (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (112) contains a conductive layer (114), and the touch panel (110), the conductive layer (114), and the metal electrode (120) are connected in sequence.

6. The touch switch (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The touch switch (100) also includes a circuit board (150) and a lower housing (160); the circuit board (150) is fixed inside the lower housing (160), and the lower housing (160) is fixedly connected to the intermediate housing (130); The metal electrode (120) includes a metal sheet (121) and a compression spring (122). The metal sheet (121) has two folded portions (121a) so that the metal sheet (121) has a first contact portion (1211), a second contact portion (1212), and a third contact portion (1213) arranged parallel to each other. One end of the compression spring (122) is welded to the circuit board (150), and the other end of the compression spring (122) can simultaneously contact the first contact (1211) and / or the third contact (1213) when it abuts against the second contact (1212).

7. The touch switch (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first contact portion (1211) and the third contact portion (1213) are structurally symmetrical, and the distance between the first contact portion (1211) and the third contact portion (1213) is smaller than the outer diameter of the compression spring (122).

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