A light and thin touchpad structure and electronic device

Abstract

This application discloses a thin and light touchpad structure and electronic device. The touchpad structure includes a base plate and a touchpad assembly. The base plate is used to connect to the front cover of a laptop. The touchpad assembly is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate, corresponding to a mounting groove in the front cover. The edge of the base plate has a bent portion, which is integrally formed with the base plate and serves to enhance the strength of the base plate. This touchpad structure maintains a lightweight design while ensuring the stability and reliability of the base plate, allowing it to be triggered normally and thus extending the lifespan of the touchpad.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electronic devices, and more specifically, to a thin and light touchpad structure. Background Technology

[0002] As people increasingly value the ease of use of computing devices, laptop touchpad designs are gradually trending towards larger touch areas. Larger touchpads allow fingers more room to move, reducing the need to frequently lift the hand to reposition the touchpad and significantly improving the user's interactive experience.

[0003] Meanwhile, in order to reduce the weight of laptops, touchpads are also being developed towards lightweight design. However, with frequent clicks, the base plate of the touchpad is prone to insufficient strength and deformation. Since the buttons are very sensitive to the deformation of the base plate in the touchpad, even slight deformation of the base plate can cause the buttons to fail to trigger properly, thus affecting the lifespan of the touchpad. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a thin and light touchpad structure and electronic device that can maintain a lightweight design while ensuring the stability and reliability of the base plate, so that the base plate can be triggered normally, thereby extending the service life of the touchpad.

[0005] The thin and light touchpad structure and electronic device provided in this application adopt the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a thin and light touchpad structure, employing the following technical solution:

[0007] A thin and light touchpad structure includes:

[0008] A base plate is used to connect with the front cover of a laptop. The edge of the base plate is provided with a bent portion, which is integrally formed with the base plate. The bent portion is used to enhance the strength of the base plate.

[0009] A touchpad assembly is provided corresponding to the mounting slot of the faceplate, and the touchpad assembly is disposed on the upper end surface of the base plate.

[0010] Optionally, the bent portion is disposed at the edge along the length direction of the base plate, and the bent portion extends toward the face shell.

[0011] Optionally, the touch panel structure further includes a first enclosure plate, which is disposed along the outer extension of the mounting groove of the face shell, and the first enclosure plate is disposed on the end face of the face shell facing the bottom plate, and the first enclosure plate is fixedly connected to the bottom plate.

[0012] Optionally, the touch panel structure further includes a second enclosure plate, which is disposed on the end face of the front shell facing the bottom plate, and the second enclosure plate is located between the first enclosure plate and the mounting groove, and the second enclosure plate is fixedly connected to the bottom plate.

[0013] Optionally, a receiving groove is formed between the first enclosure and the second enclosure, the receiving groove is filled with glue, and the base plate is cured by the glue to be fixedly connected to the first enclosure and the second enclosure.

[0014] Optionally, the first enclosure and the second enclosure are arranged in a "U" shape, and the first enclosure and the second enclosure are integrally formed with the face shell.

[0015] Optionally, the touchpad assembly includes a touchscreen module, a trigger plate, and a trigger element. The trigger element is disposed on and electrically connected to the touchscreen module, and can be triggered by contacting the trigger plate and / or the base plate.

[0016] Optionally, the trigger plate includes a trigger portion and two elastic portions, the two elastic portions being respectively disposed on both sides of the trigger portion, the actuating element being disposed corresponding to the central area of ​​the trigger portion, and the trigger portion being parallel to the base plate;

[0017] The trigger part is provided with a plurality of first connection ends, which are respectively located at the four corners of the trigger part, and the first connection ends are integrally formed with the trigger part, and the first connection ends are fixedly connected to the elastic part.

[0018] Optionally, the touch screen module includes a touch substrate, an electronic substrate, and a mounting frame. The electronic substrate is disposed between the touch substrate and the mounting frame, and the touch substrate and the electronic substrate are fixed to the mounting frame. The actuating element is electrically connected to the electronic substrate.

[0019] The elastic part is provided with a second connecting end at the end away from the trigger part, and the second connecting end is fixedly connected to the fixing frame. The distance between the end of the elastic part away from the trigger part and the base plate is greater than the distance between the end of the elastic part close to the trigger part and the base plate.

[0020] Optionally, a weight-reducing hole is provided in the middle region between the trigger part and the elastic part.

[0021] Secondly, this application provides an electronic device that adopts the following technical solution:

[0022] An electronic device includes the above-described touchpad structure and a front cover, wherein the front cover is provided with a mounting groove, and the touchpad structure is provided corresponding to the mounting groove.

[0023] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have the following advantages:

[0024] When a force is applied to the touchpad assembly, the base plate remains stationary, and the touchpad assembly transmits the force to the base plate. During the application of force, the base plate, equipped with a bending section, enhances its strength, preventing excessive pressure on localized areas and thus avoiding deformation. This significantly improves the overall mechanical properties of the base plate, enhancing its stability and reliability, increasing its overall rigidity, and consequently increasing its resistance to bending. The base plate in this application maintains a lightweight design while ensuring stability and reliability, allowing for normal touchpad activation and extending its lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device disclosed in this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device disclosed in this application from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 3 An exploded view of a thin and light touchpad structure disclosed in this application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a sectional view showing the connection relationship between the base plate and the first and second enclosure plates as highlighted in this application.

[0030] Figure 5 Enlarged structural views of the first and second enclosure panels are shown in this application.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the touchpad after the base plate is hidden.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 100. Front cover; 110. Mounting slot;

[0034] 200. Touchpad structure; 210. Base plate; 211. Bending part; 220. Touchpad assembly; 221. Touch substrate; 222. Electronic substrate; 223. Fixing frame; 224. Trigger plate; 2241. Trigger part; 2242. Elastic part; 2243. First connecting end; 2244. Second connecting end; 2245. Weight reduction hole; 225. Actuator; 230. First enclosure plate; 240. Second enclosure plate; 250. Receiving groove. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] This application provides a thin and light touchpad structure and electronic device. While maintaining a lightweight design, it also ensures the stability and reliability of the base plate, enabling the base plate to be triggered normally, thereby extending the service life of the touchpad.

[0037] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Furthermore, the technical solutions of various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present application.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0039] Touchpads are increasingly trending towards larger touch areas and lighter designs. However, frequent clicks can lead to insufficient base plate strength and deformation. Since buttons are highly sensitive to base plate deformation, even slight deformation can prevent the touchpad from functioning properly, thus affecting its lifespan. To address these issues, this application provides a thin and lightweight touchpad structure and electronic device. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 3 This is one embodiment of an electronic device in this application. The electronic device includes a touchpad structure 200 and a front cover 100. The front cover 100 is provided with a mounting groove 110 for accommodating the touchpad structure 200, and the touchpad structure 200 is correspondingly disposed in the mounting groove 110. Specifically, the touchpad structure 200 includes a base plate 210 and a touchpad assembly 220. The touchpad assembly 220 is disposed in the mounting groove 110 of the front cover 100 and is disposed on the upper end surface of the base plate 210. The base plate 210 is disposed on the front cover 100, and there is a gap between the base plate 210 and the front cover 100. The base plate 210 is used to connect with the front cover 100, and the touchpad assembly 220 is assembled to the front cover 100 through the base plate 210. In this embodiment, the base plate 210 is parallel to the front cover 100, and the base plate 210 is fixed to the front cover 100 by screws passing through it.

[0040] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 To enhance the stability and reliability of the base plate 210, a bending portion 211 is provided on the edge of the base plate 210. The bending portion 211 is integrally formed with the base plate 210 and is used to enhance the strength of the base plate 210. The base plate 210 is made of metal. By precisely bending the base plate 210, the plastic deformation generated during the bending process causes a cold work hardening effect in local areas, thereby improving the ability of that part to resist external loads. Therefore, a curved structure is formed at a specific location to achieve the effect of reinforcing ribs, significantly improving the overall mechanical properties of the base plate 210, so that even the lightest and thinnest metal base plate 210 can achieve sufficient strength.

[0041] Understandably, when a force is applied to the touchpad assembly 220, since the base plate 210 remains stationary, the touchpad assembly 220 transmits the force to the base plate 210. During the application of force to the base plate 210, the bending portion 211 enhances its strength, preventing excessive pressure on local areas and thus avoiding deformation. This significantly improves the overall mechanical properties of the base plate 210, enhancing its stability and reliability, increasing its overall rigidity, and consequently increasing its resistance to bending. The base plate 210 in this application maintains a lightweight design while ensuring stability and reliability, enabling the touchpad assembly 220 and the base plate to function correctly, thereby extending the touchpad's lifespan.

[0042] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 To further enhance the stability and reliability of the base plate 210, the touch panel structure 200 includes a first enclosure plate 230. The first enclosure plate 230 is disposed along the outer extension of the mounting groove 110 of the face shell 100, and the first enclosure plate 230 is disposed on the end face of the face shell 100 facing the base plate 210. The first enclosure plate 230 is fixedly connected to the base plate 210. Understandably, when a force is applied to the touchpad assembly 220, since the base plate 210 remains stationary, the touchpad assembly 220 transmits the force to the base plate 210. During the process of applying force to the base plate 210, since the base plate 210 is fixedly connected to the first enclosure plate 230, the interaction between the first enclosure plate 230 and the base plate 210 forms a frame support effect on the base plate 210, improving the overall rigidity of the base plate 210 and thus increasing the base plate 210's resistance to bending. Secondly, the first enclosure plate 230 greatly increases the contact area between the base plate 210 and the faceplate 100. The increased contact area allows the applied load to be distributed more evenly on the base plate 210, which helps to reduce the peak stress value, avoids excessive pressure on local areas of the base plate 210, and prevents deformation, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of the base plate 210.

[0043] The touchpad structure 200 also includes a second enclosure 240, which is disposed on the end face of the front cover 100 facing the base plate 210. The second enclosure 240 is located between the first enclosure 230 and the mounting groove 110, and is fixedly connected to the base plate 210. By providing the second enclosure 240, the support effect on the base plate 210 is further enhanced, and the contact area between the base plate 210 and the front cover 100 is further increased, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the base plate 210.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first enclosure plate 230 and the second enclosure plate 240 are arranged in a "U" shape, and the first enclosure plate 230 and the second enclosure plate 240 are integrally formed with the face shell 100. A receiving groove 250 is formed between the first enclosure plate 230 and the second enclosure plate 240, and the receiving groove 250 is filled with glue. In one feasible embodiment of the above embodiment, the bottom plate 210 is fixedly connected to the first enclosure plate 230 and the second enclosure plate 240 by curing with glue. In another embodiment, the bottom plate 210 is also provided with mounting holes for bolts to pass through, and the bottom plate 210 is further locked to the face shell 100 by bolts.

[0045] Furthermore, the bend 211 is configured as an edge along the length of the base plate 210, extending toward the faceplate 100, and is located within the receiving groove 250. It is understood that as adhesive is injected into the receiving groove 250, the adhesive fills the entire gap of the receiving groove 250 and bonds tightly to the surface of the bend 211; as the adhesive gradually cures, the bend 211 establishes a continuous material bridge between itself and the first enclosure 230 and the second enclosure 240 via the adhesive, meaning that any external force applied to the base plate 210 will be redistributed along this path to the first enclosure 230 and the second enclosure 240, thus bearing a portion of the load. Compared to simply relying on screws or welding, this method can distribute the load more evenly and avoid premature local failure. Therefore, under the pressure that may be generated when the user operates frequently, the first enclosure 230 and the second enclosure 240 can effectively disperse the external force received by the base plate 210. When the strength of the base plate 210 reaches its limit, it can also be reinforced by the force of the first enclosure 230 and the second enclosure 240, thereby further improving the base plate 210's ability to resist bending and helping to maintain a normal touch experience.

[0046] Please continue reading. Figure 3 and Figure 6The touchpad assembly 220 includes a touch screen module, a trigger plate 224, and a trigger 225. The trigger 225 is disposed on the touch screen module and is electrically connected to the touch screen module. The end of the trigger 225 away from the touch screen module is spaced apart from the base plate 210. The trigger 225 can be triggered by contacting the trigger plate 224 and / or the base plate 210. It is understandable that when a force is applied to the touchscreen module, the base plate 210 remains stationary. Simultaneously, the touchscreen module transmits the force to the trigger plate 224, causing the touch element 225 to move synchronously towards both the trigger plate 224 and the base plate 210. In this embodiment, the trigger plate 224 has a portion corresponding to the touch element 225 that is hollowed out. The touch element 225 is triggered by contacting the base plate 210, meaning it moves towards the base plate 210 until it contacts and presses against it to form a path, thus achieving the effect of touchpad operation. When the force applied to the touchscreen module is removed, the touchscreen module can cause the touch element 225 to move synchronously away from the base plate 210, thereby resetting the touch element 225 and separating it from the base plate 210.

[0047] The touchscreen module includes a touch substrate 221, an electronic substrate 222, and a mounting bracket 223. The electronic substrate 222 is disposed between the touch substrate 221 and the mounting bracket 223. The touch substrate 221 and the electronic substrate 222 are fixed to the mounting bracket 223. The touch element 225 is electrically connected to the electronic substrate 222. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket 223 is frame-like. The trigger plate 224 is fixedly disposed on the side of the mounting bracket 223 away from the touchscreen module. The electronic substrate 222 is fixedly disposed on the touch substrate 221. The mounting bracket 223 can drive the touch substrate 221 and the electronic substrate 222 to move synchronously. When a force is applied to the touch substrate 221, the touch substrate 221 transmits the force to the mounting bracket 223. Then, the mounting bracket 223 drives the touch element 225 to move towards the base plate 210 until the touch element 225 contacts and presses against the base plate 210 to form a passage.

[0048] The trigger plate 224 is made of metal and includes a trigger portion 2241 and two elastic portions 2242. The actuating element 225 is positioned corresponding to the central area of ​​the trigger portion 2241. The trigger portion 2241 is parallel to the base plate 210 and fixed with bolts. The trigger portion 2241 provides a trigger base for the actuating element 225, enabling its touch control effect. The two elastic portions 2242 are respectively located on both sides of the trigger portion 2241 and are fixedly connected to it. The elastic portions 2242 are used to allow the trigger plate 224 to spring back and reset after being subjected to force, thereby driving the actuating element 225 to reset, providing support and restoring functions. The elastic portions 2242 also provide a restoring force to the periphery of the fixing frame 223, allowing the fixing frame 223 to spring back and reset after being subjected to force, thereby driving the actuating element 225 to reset, providing support and restoring functions. A weight-reducing hole 2245 is provided in the middle area between the trigger part 2241 and the elastic part 2242. The weight-reducing hole 2245 can reduce the weight of the trigger part 2241 and the elastic part 2242, and exhibit the characteristics of being thin, light, minimalist and reliable in actual use.

[0049] The trigger part 2241 is provided with a plurality of first connecting ends 2243, which are respectively located at the four corners of the trigger part 2241 and are integrally formed with the trigger part 2241. The first connecting ends 2243 are fixedly connected to the elastic part 2242. A second connecting end 2244 is provided at the end of the elastic part 2242 away from the trigger part 2241. The second connecting end 2244 is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 223. The distance between the end of the elastic part 2242 away from the trigger part 2241 and the base plate 210 is greater than the distance between the end of the elastic part 2242 closer to the trigger part 2241 and the base plate 210. In this embodiment, the trigger part 2241 is I-shaped and is made of stainless steel with a thickness of 0.5mm, which balances strength and flexibility. The I-shaped design allows it to maintain high stability while withstanding pressure, and the hollow part in the middle further reduces weight without affecting functionality.

[0050] Under normal circumstances, the trigger plate 224 remains horizontal and stationary, and the elastic part 2242 is in its naturally extended state. When the user presses a corner point on the touchpad, the applied pressure is transmitted through the frame structure of the fixing bracket 223 to the edge of the trigger plate 224, that is, the end of the elastic part 2242 away from the trigger part 2241. Since the trigger part 2241 is connected to the elastic part 2242 through the first connecting ends 2243 at the four corners, the elastic part 2242 reacts under the pressure of the fixing bracket 223. The deformation stores energy, causing the elastic part 2242 to move downwards until the trigger 225 presses against the base plate 210. Once the external pressure is removed, the fixing frame 223 releases the pressure on the end of the elastic part 2242 away from the trigger part 2241. The compressed elastic part 2242 quickly rebounds and recovers, causing the fixing frame 223 to return to its original plane height, which in turn causes the trigger 225 to move upwards to reset, thus separating the trigger 225 from the base plate 210. This movement is repeated to achieve control of the trigger 225.

[0051] In this embodiment, the trigger 225 is preferably a dome switch. Dome switches are cost-effective and are made of ultra-thin and high-hardness stainless steel (typically 0.05mm to 0.1mm thick). Their hardness ranges from HV480 to HV550, which can maintain high reliability and is not easily damaged, far exceeding that of some other common triggers 225. Secondly, dome switches have good conductivity, enabling fast and reliable signal transmission, reducing the possibility of accidental touches, and further enhancing the practicality of the product.

[0052] Since the electronic device disclosed in this application adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0053] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application 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 application.

Claims

1. A light and thin touchpad structure, characterized in that, include: A base plate is used to connect with the front cover of a laptop. The edge of the base plate is provided with a bent portion, which is integrally formed with the base plate. The bent portion is used to enhance the strength of the base plate. A touchpad assembly is provided corresponding to the mounting slot of the faceplate, and the touchpad assembly is disposed on the upper end surface of the base plate.

2. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bent portion is disposed at the edge along the length direction of the base plate, and the bent portion extends toward the face shell.

3. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch panel structure also includes a first enclosure plate, which is disposed along the outer extension of the mounting groove of the face shell, and the first enclosure plate is disposed on the end face of the face shell facing the bottom plate, and the first enclosure plate is fixedly connected to the bottom plate.

4. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The touch panel structure also includes a second enclosure plate, which is disposed on the end face of the front shell facing the bottom plate, and the second enclosure plate is located between the first enclosure plate and the mounting groove, and the second enclosure plate is fixedly connected to the bottom plate.

5. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, A receiving groove is formed between the first enclosure panel and the second enclosure panel, and the receiving groove is filled with glue. The bottom plate is cured with the glue to be fixedly connected to the first enclosure panel and the second enclosure panel.

6. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first and second enclosures are arranged in a "U" shape and are integrally formed with the outer shell.

7. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touchpad assembly includes a touchscreen module, a trigger plate, and a trigger element. The trigger element is disposed on the touchscreen module and electrically connected to the touchscreen module. The trigger element can be triggered by contacting the trigger plate and / or the base plate.

8. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The trigger plate includes a trigger part and two elastic parts, the two elastic parts are respectively disposed on both sides of the trigger part, the actuating element is disposed corresponding to the central area of ​​the trigger part, and the trigger part is parallel to the base plate; The trigger part is provided with a plurality of first connection ends, which are respectively located at the four corners of the trigger part, and the first connection ends are integrally formed with the trigger part, and the first connection ends are fixedly connected to the elastic part.

9. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The touch screen module includes a touch substrate, an electronic substrate, and a mounting frame. The electronic substrate is disposed between the touch substrate and the mounting frame. The touch substrate and the electronic substrate are fixed to the mounting frame. The touch element is electrically connected to the electronic substrate. The elastic part is provided with a second connecting end at the end away from the trigger part, and the second connecting end is fixedly connected to the fixing frame. The distance between the end of the elastic part away from the trigger part and the base plate is greater than the distance between the end of the elastic part close to the trigger part and the base plate.

10. The thin and light touchpad structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, A weight-reducing hole is provided in the middle area between the trigger part and the elastic part.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, The device includes a touchpad structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 and a faceplate, wherein the faceplate is provided with a mounting groove and the touchpad structure is provided corresponding to the mounting groove.

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