Touch sensitive nixie tube and control circuit

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of nixie tubes, and discloses a touch sensing nixie tube and a control circuit, and the touch sensing nixie tube comprises a shell, nixie tube pins and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), the shell is provided with a light-transmitting area; the PCB is arranged in the shell, a signal detection assembly and a nixie tube display circuit are arranged on the PCB, and the nixie tube display circuit is used for generating light rays and transmitting the light rays through the light transmitting area; the nixie tube pins comprise a nixie tube driving pin and a touch sensing pin, the nixie tube driving pin is connected with the nixie tube display circuit, and the touch sensing pin is connected with the signal detection assembly. The touch sensing pin and the signal detection assembly are both used for generating corresponding touch sensing signals according to the touch input operation. The utility model aims to improve the accuracy of touch sensing of the nixie tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of digital tube technology, and in particular to a touch-sensitive digital tube and control circuit. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing technology, touch sensing technology is a common control technology and its application is becoming more and more widespread. In some products, digital tubes with touch sensing function are also designed. While retaining its original display function, the digital tube can also receive and sense the user's touch operation and realize the corresponding control.

[0003] However, in order not to affect the original display function of the digital tube, the structure set inside the digital tube to realize the touch sensing function cannot use the same design as conventional touch sensing devices. This also leads to the low touch sensing accuracy of this type of digital tube, affecting the user's touch sensing experience. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a touch-sensitive digital tube and control circuit to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, or at least provide a beneficial option or create conditions.

[0005] The solution to the technical problem of this utility model is:

[0006] A touch-sensitive digital tube is provided, the touch-sensitive digital tube comprising: a housing, digital tube pins, and a PCB board;

[0007] The housing is provided with a light-transmitting area;

[0008] The PCB board is disposed inside the housing. The PCB board is provided with a signal detection component and a digital tube display circuit. The digital tube display circuit is used to generate light and transmit the light through the light-transmitting area.

[0009] The digital tube pins include digital tube driving pins and touch sensing pins. The digital tube driving pins are connected to the digital tube display circuit, and the touch sensing pins are connected to the signal detection component. Both the touch sensing pins and the signal detection component are used to generate corresponding touch sensing signals based on touch input operations.

[0010] In some embodiments, the space between the housing and the PCB board is air, and both the touch-sensing pin and the signal detection component use the air as a medium to generate the touch-sensing signal based on the touch input operation.

[0011] In some embodiments, the digital tube display circuit includes a plurality of LED light-emitting units and LED driving wires, wherein the LED light-emitting units are connected to the digital tube driving pins through the LED driving wires.

[0012] In some embodiments, the signal detection component includes a sensing wire and / or a sensing disk printed on the PCB board. One end of the sensing wire is connected to the touch sensing pin, and the other end of the sensing wire is interrupted at a preset position on the PCB board. The sensing wire is not connected to the LED driving wire, the LED light-emitting unit, or the digital tube driving pin. The sensing disk is connected to the touch sensing pin or the sensing wire.

[0013] In some embodiments, the gap between the sensing wire and the LED driving wire is at least a preset distance.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sensing wire includes a main sensing wire and a secondary sensing wire, wherein the main sensing wire is connected to the touch sensing pin and the secondary sensing wire is connected to the main sensing wire.

[0015] In some embodiments, the signal detection component includes a sensing probe, one end of which is connected to the touch sensing pin, and the other end of which extends toward the housing and is suspended between the PCB board and the housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, the sensing probe is formed by extending the touch sensing pin toward the housing towards the outside of the PCB board.

[0017] In some embodiments, the signal detection component is made of one or more of copper, aluminum, silver, alloy materials, and composite materials.

[0018] To achieve the above objectives, another aspect of the embodiments of this application proposes a control circuit for a touch-sensitive digital tube. The control circuit includes a touch-sensitive digital tube as described in any of the preceding claims. The control circuit also includes an MCU module and a control bus. The MCU module is connected to the digital tube driving pin and the touch sensing pin respectively through the control bus.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: A touch-sensitive digital tube is constructed by a housing, digital tube pins, and a PCB board. The housing provides space for the PCB board, which houses a signal detection component and a digital tube display circuit. The digital tube display circuit generates light, which passes through a light-transmitting area on the housing to achieve the basic display function of the digital tube. Furthermore, the digital tube pins include digital tube driving pins and touch-sensing pins. The digital tube driving pins are connected to the digital tube display circuit and drive it. The touch-sensing pins are connected to the signal detection component. Together, the touch-sensing pins and the signal detection component constitute a touch-sensing structure, capable of generating corresponding touch-sensing signals based on touch input operations. Compared to simply using touch electrodes for touch sensing, this application combines touch-sensing pins and a signal detection component to generate touch-sensing signals, resulting in a higher signal-to-noise ratio, making it easier to recognize touch input operations and improving the accuracy of digital tube touch sensing. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly explained below. Obviously, the described drawings are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Those skilled in the art can obtain other design schemes and drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a side view of a touch-sensitive digital tube according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the components on the PCB board of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main induction line and the auxiliary induction line of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sensing probe of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the control circuit for a touch-sensitive digital tube according to the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: housing-100, PCB board-200, digital tube display circuit-210, LED driver wire-211, LED light-emitting unit-212, signal detection component-220, sensing wire-221, main sensing wire-222, secondary sensing wire-223, sensing probe-224, sensing disk-225, digital tube pin-300, digital tube driver pin-310, touch sensing pin-320, MCU module-400. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0028] It should be noted that although functional modules are divided in the system diagram and the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in a different order than the module division in the system or the order in the flowchart. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0029] Among related technologies, touch sensing technology is a common control technology with increasingly widespread applications. It is used in a variety of products and devices. In some products, digital tubes with touch sensing function are also designed. While retaining its original display function, the digital tube can also receive and sense the user's touch operation and realize corresponding control.

[0030] However, in order not to affect the original display function of the digital tube, the structure set inside the digital tube to realize the touch sensing function cannot use the same design as conventional touch sensing devices. Generally, only a few electrode units for touch sensing applications can be designed, which also leads to the low accuracy of touch sensing of this type of digital tube, affecting the user's touch sensing experience.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a side view of a touch-sensitive digital tube provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 The touch-sensitive digital tube may include, but is not limited to: housing 100, digital tube pins 300 and PCB board 200;

[0032] The housing 100 is provided with a light-transmitting area;

[0033] The PCB board 200 is disposed inside the housing 100. The PCB board 200 is provided with a signal detection component 220 and a digital tube display circuit 210. The digital tube display circuit 210 is used to generate light and transmit light through the light-transmitting area.

[0034] The digital tube pin 300 includes a digital tube driving pin 310 and a touch sensing pin 320. The digital tube driving pin 310 is connected to the digital tube display circuit 210, and the touch sensing pin 320 is connected to the signal detection component 220. Both the touch sensing pin 320 and the signal detection component 220 are used to generate corresponding touch sensing signals according to the touch input operation.

[0035] In this embodiment, the housing 100, the digital tube pins 300, and the PCB board 200 constitute the touch-sensitive digital tube with touch sensing function. Its main structure is the same as that of an ordinary digital tube. Specifically, the PCB board 200 is disposed inside the housing 100, and the housing 100 is provided with a light-transmitting area. The light-transmitting area is used to allow the light generated by the LED unit inside to pass through, thereby realizing the display function of the digital tube. The digital tube pins 300 are connected to the circuit on the PCB board 200 and are led out to the outside of the housing 100 through the digital tube pins 300, so that the external circuit can be connected to the circuit on the PCB board 200.

[0036] On the other hand, the touch-sensitive digital tube in this embodiment is also used to receive external touch input operations input by the user. The touch input operation can be a click or a swipe, etc., which are not limited here. At the same time, the triggering position of the touch input operation is not limited. The triggering position can be on the housing 100, or on the panel outside the digital tube that is also a certain distance away from the housing 100. For touch input operations triggered on the housing 100, the housing 100 is divided into a touch-sensing area that can receive touch input operations. The touch-sensing area can cover an area larger than the light-transmitting area. Furthermore, the PCB board 200 is equipped with a signal detection component 220 and a digital tube display circuit 210. The digital tube display circuit 210 is the circuit used to generate light in a common digital tube. The signal detection component 220 can sense touch input operations. Correspondingly, the digital tube pins 300 also include digital tube driving pins 310 and touch sensing pins 320. The digital tube display circuit 210 is connected to the digital tube driving pins 310, so that the digital tube display function can be controlled by external circuits. The signal detection component 220 is connected to the touch sensing pins 320. Both are made of conductive materials, so they can generate corresponding touch sensing signals according to touch input operations. After the signal detection component 220 and the touch sensing pins 320 are connected, the touch sensing signal generated by their combination can have a larger signal-to-noise ratio, so that the detection and analysis of the touch sensing signal can more accurately confirm the corresponding touch input operation and improve the accuracy of touch sensing.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be noted that the touch sensing pin 320 is also an existing pin of the digital tube, not a newly added pin. It is only used in this embodiment to generate touch sensing signals. The number of touch sensing pins 320 is at least 1, thereby forming a connection with the signal detection component 220. Increasing the number of touch sensing pins 320 is equivalent to increasing the device used to generate touch sensing signals, thereby improving the accuracy of touch sensing. However, at the same time, it will also affect the original control and display functions of the digital tube. Therefore, the ratio of touch sensing pins 320 to digital tube driving pins 310 in the digital tube pin 300 needs to be determined according to the specific needs of the user.

[0038] Compared to simply setting a few touch electrodes in the circuit for touch sensing, this application combines touch sensing pin 320 and signal detection component 220 to generate touch sensing signals, resulting in a larger signal-to-noise ratio for the generated touch sensing signals, making it easier to identify touch input operations and improving the accuracy of touch sensing on the digital tube.

[0039] In some embodiments, the space between the housing 100 and the PCB board 200 is air, and both the touch sensing pin 320 and the signal detection component 220 use air as a medium to generate touch sensing signals based on touch input operations.

[0040] In this embodiment, the space between the housing 100 and the PCB board 200 inside the touch-sensitive digital tube is filled with air. Compared with the prior art, no additional filling medium material is required, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, due to the combination of the touch-sensitive pin 320 and the signal detection component 220, the accuracy of touch sensing under this condition can be ensured, realizing air-to-ground sensing.

[0041] In some embodiments, the digital tube display circuit 210 includes a plurality of LED light-emitting units 212 and LED driving wires 211, and the LED light-emitting units 212 are connected to the digital tube driving pins 310 through the LED driving wires 211.

[0042] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 The LED light-emitting unit 212 is used to generate the light required for the digital tube display. The LED light-emitting units 212 are connected to each other, and to the LED light-emitting units 212 and the digital tube driving pins 310, through LED driving wires 211. Figure 2 The LED driving wire 211 is shown in solid line and is controlled by the control signal transmitted from the digital tube driving pin 310 by the external circuit, so that the touch-sensitive digital tube can display different display patterns, thereby realizing its digital tube display function.

[0043] In this embodiment, the specific connection method between the LED light-emitting unit 212, the LED driving wire 211, and the digital tube driving pin 310 is not limited. The specific connection method can be determined according to the digital tube display pattern required by the user. Figure 2 The layout between the LED light-emitting unit 212 and the LED driving wire 211 is for illustrative purposes only.

[0044] In some embodiments, the signal detection component 220 includes a sensing wire 221 and / or a sensing disk 225 printed on a PCB board. One end of the sensing wire 221 is connected to a touch sensing pin 320, and the other end of the sensing wire 221 is interrupted at a preset position on the PCB board 200. The sensing wire 221 is not connected to the LED driving wire 211, the LED light-emitting unit 212, or the digital tube driving pin 310. The sensing disk 225 is connected to the touch sensing pin 320 or the sensing wire 221.

[0045] Optionally, refer to Figure 2 For easier observation, Figure 2 The schematic diagram of PCB board 200 is omitted. The signal detection component 220 includes sensing wire 221. Figure 2 The sensing wire 221 is shown as a solid line. This sensing wire 221 is the same as the LED light-emitting unit 212 and the LED driving wire 211, and is printed on the PCB board 200. However, the sensing wire 221 is not connected to the LED driving wire 211, the LED light-emitting unit 212, and the digital tube driving pin 310. It independently occupies the touch sensing pin 320. Therefore, on the PCB board 200, there are two non-interfering areas between the LED driving wire 211, the LED light-emitting unit 212 and the digital tube driving pin 310, and between the sensing wire 221 and the touch sensing pin 320. In this embodiment, the area involving the LED light-emitting unit 212 independently performs the function of displaying patterns on the digital tube, and the area involving touch sensing also independently performs the function of touch sensing.

[0046] On the other hand, one end of the sensing wire 221 is connected to the touch sensing pin 320. It extends from the touch sensing pin 320 to a preset position on the PCB board 200, where it disconnects. Even if the sensing wire 221 is disconnected, it does not affect its function of generating touch sensing signals. The touch sensing signal can be detected by inputting a detection current through an external detection chip. In this embodiment, the specific routing direction and position of the sensing wire 221 are not limited. This design needs to refer to the design of the area involving the LED light-emitting unit 212 on the PCB board 200. It can be understood that the larger the area covered by the sensing wire 221 on the PCB board 200, the higher the accuracy of its touch sensing.

[0047] In addition, the signal detection component also includes a sensing disk 225, for reference. Figure 2 , Figure 2 The sensing disk 225 is indicated by a black dot. The sensing disk 225 can be based on the sensing wire 221, i.e., the sensing disk 225 is printed onto the sensing wire 221, or it can be used independently of the sensing wire 221. In this case, it can be printed at the solder joint between the touch sensing pin 320 and the PCB board 200, thus forming a connection between the sensing disk 225 and the sensing wire 221 or the touch sensing pin 320. Furthermore, in this embodiment and... Figure 2 The number of sensing discs 225 is not limited; the number of sensing discs 225 can be set according to the specific needs of the designer.

[0048] In some embodiments, the gap between the sensing wire 221 and the LED driving wire 211 is at least a preset distance.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to avoid interference between the touch sensing function and the digital tube display function on the PCB board 200, the gap between the sensing wire 221 and the LED driving wire 211 is set to be at least a preset distance, for example, the preset distance is at least 3 times the line width of the sensing wire 221 and / or the LED driving wire 211, thereby improving the stability of the touch sensing digital tube in terms of display function and touch sensing function.

[0050] In some embodiments, the sensing wire 221 includes a main sensing wire 222 and a secondary sensing wire 223, wherein the main sensing wire 222 is connected to the touch sensing pin 320 and the secondary sensing wire 223 is connected to the main sensing wire 222.

[0051] To further improve the accuracy of touch sensing, refer to Figure 3 The sensing wire 221 can also be configured to include a main sensing wire 222 and a secondary sensing wire 223. Since the routing of a single wire lacks flexibility and robustness, this embodiment also includes a secondary sensing wire 223. The main sensing wire 222 is described in the previous embodiment, with one end connected to the touch sensing pin 320 and the other end extending to a preset position and disconnecting. The number of secondary sensing wires 223 is not limited; one end of each secondary sensing wire 223 is connected to the main sensing wire 222, and the other end is also disconnected at another position. In this way, the secondary sensing wire 223 can help the sensing wire 221 cover as much area as possible on the PCB board 200, improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the generated touch sensing signal and thus improving the accuracy of touch sensing. Furthermore, using multiple wires for sensing also improves the robustness of the touch sensing function and the stability of the touch-sensing digital tube.

[0052] In some embodiments, the signal detection component 220 includes a sensing probe 224, one end of which is connected to the touch sensing pin 320, and the other end of which extends toward the housing 100 and is suspended and interrupted between the PCB board 200 and the housing 100.

[0053] For details, please refer to Figure 4 The connection point between the sensing probe 224 and the touch sensing pin 320 can be set as a solder point of the touch sensing pin 320 on the PCB board 200. In other embodiments, it can also be set on the sensing wire 221, through which it is connected to the touch sensing pin 320. The other end of the sensing probe 224 extends towards the housing 100, reducing the distance between it and the housing 100 or other locations where touch input occurs, and ultimately suspends between the PCB board 200 and the housing 100, thereby generating a touch sensing signal with a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Similarly, the sensing probe 224 can also be detected by inputting a detection current through an external detection chip, thus completing the detection of the touch sensing signal on the sensing probe 224.

[0054] The sensing probe 224, the sensing wire 221 and the sensing disk 225 of the above embodiments can be used independently or in combination. By combining the touch sensing pin 320 and the sensing probe 224, or further combining them with the sensing wire 221 and the sensing disk 225 of the above embodiments, the signal-to-noise ratio of the touch sensing signal and the accuracy of the digital tube touch sensing can be improved.

[0055] In some embodiments, the sensing probe 224 is formed by extending the touch sensing pin 320 toward the outer side of the PCB board 200 in the direction of the housing 100.

[0056] Alternatively, during production, the touch sensing pin 320 can be directly extended towards the housing 100 until it extends to the outside of the PCB board 200, that is, into the gap between the housing 100 and the PCB board 200, thereby making a sensing probe 224 based on the original touch sensing pin 320, reducing circuit costs.

[0057] Furthermore, it should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific shape of the sensing probe 224. The sensing probe 224 can be set to be straight and parallel to the touch sensing pin 320, or it can be set to a curved shape, or it can be less than... Figure 4 It is not perpendicular to the PCB board 200 as shown, but forms a preset angle with the PCB board 200. Its specific shape design can be set according to the designer's needs.

[0058] In some embodiments, the signal detection component 220 is made of one or more of copper, aluminum, silver, alloy materials, and composite materials.

[0059] To enable touch input and generate touch signals, the signal detection component 220 is made of a material with good electrical conductivity, specifically one or more of copper, aluminum, silver, alloys, and composite materials. The material of the touch sensing pin 320 depends on the digital display and is not limited in this embodiment.

[0060] In some embodiments, a register is also provided on the PCB board 200. The register is connected to the digital tube driving pin 310 and the touch sensing pin 320 respectively. The register is used to drive the display pattern change of the touch sensing digital tube according to the touch sensing signal.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the area of ​​the PCB board 200 involving the LED light-emitting unit 212 and the area involving touch sensing do not interfere with each other. In this embodiment, optionally, a register can also be set on the PCB board 200. The register is connected to the digital tube driving pin 310 and the touch sensing pin 320 respectively. The user can define the required digital tube blinking mode through the register, such as breathing light and strobe. Based on this, when a touch sensing signal is generated, the register can be triggered by the touch sensing signal and drive the display pattern of the touch sensing digital tube to change according to its defined blinking mode. Through this change, the visual feedback of touch sensing is realized, and the touch sensing user experience of the touch sensing digital tube is improved.

[0062] The algorithms and programs involved in the blinking modes defined in the registers are all existing algorithms and programs that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0063] In addition, refer to Figure 5 This application embodiment also provides a control circuit for a touch-sensitive digital tube. The control circuit includes the touch-sensitive digital tube as described in any of the above embodiments, realizes the functions that the touch-sensitive digital tube can perform, and achieves the same effect. In addition, the control circuit also includes an MCU module 400 and a control bus. The MCU module 400 is connected to the digital tube driving pin 310 and the touch sensing pin 320 respectively through the control bus.

[0064] Optionally, both the digital tube display circuit 210 and the signal detection component 220 are controlled by the MCU module 400. A control bus is output from the MCU module 400, and this control bus is further divided into sub-buses, which are connected to the digital tube driving pin 310 and the touch sensing pin 320 respectively. Based on this connection relationship, the MCU module 400 drives and controls the signal detection component 220 and the digital tube display circuit 210 by means of time division multiplexing, thus saving circuit costs.

[0065] In other embodiments, the sub-bus can be an SPI bus or an I2C bus, and then connected to the corresponding driver chip or controller, and then connected to the digital tube driver pin 310 and the touch sensing pin 320, so as to realize more complex driving and control functions.

[0066] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A touch sensitive nixie tube, characterized in that, The touch-sensitive nixie tube comprises a shell, nixie tube pins and a PCB board. The shell is provided with a light-transmitting area. The PCB board is arranged inside the shell, and the PCB board is provided with a signal detection assembly and a nixie tube display circuit. The nixie tube pins comprise nixie tube driving pins and touch-sensitive pins.

2. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The nixie tube driving pins are connected to the nixie tube display circuit, and the touch-sensitive pins are connected to the signal detection assembly.

3. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The nixie tube driving pins and the touch-sensitive pins are both in air as medium to generate the touch-sensitive signal according to the touch input operation.

4. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 3, characterized in that The nixie tube display circuit comprises a plurality of LED light-emitting units and LED driving wires.

5. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 4, characterized in that The signal detection assembly comprises sensing wires and / or sensing discs printed on the PCB board.

6. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 4, characterized in that The sensing wires are connected to the touch-sensitive pins at one end and are interrupted at the other end at a preset position on the PCB board.

7. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensing wires are not connected to the LED driving wires, the LED light-emitting units and the nixie tube driving pins.

8. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 7, characterized in that The sensing discs are connected to the touch-sensitive pins or the sensing wires.

9. The touch sensitive nixie tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap between the sensing wires and the LED driving wires is at least a preset distance.

10. A control circuit for a touch sensitive nixie tube, characterized in that The sensing wires comprise main sensing wires and auxiliary sensing wires. The signal detection assembly comprises sensing probes. The sensing probes are connected to the touch-sensitive pins at one end and are suspended between the PCB board and the shell at the other end. The sensing probes are made outside the PCB board. The signal detection assembly is made of one or more of copper, aluminum, silver, alloy materials and composite materials. The control circuit comprises the touch-sensitive nixie tube as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, and further comprises an MCU module and a control bus. The MCU module is connected to the nixie tube driving pins and the touch-sensitive pins through the control bus.

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