Electronic device and virtual knob thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electronic device and virtual knob thereof, including knob main part, processing module, capacitance digital conversion circuit, switch array and at least two detection module, knob main part is the non -active type component that protrudes from the external base body outer surface, one detection module is located in the side wall of knob main part, another detection module is located in the side wall of knob main part or base body outer surface, one of detection module is configured to include at least three first electrode, each first electrode is arranged along the circumference of knob main part and forms the first discrete array of partial closure or full closure, the other is configured to include the electrode unit that surrounds the circumference of knob main part, and the electrode unit is misaligned with the first discrete array in the array center axis direction, and capacitance digital conversion circuit is coupled each electrode through switch array respectively, and processing module is coupled capacitance digital conversion circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a knob control component, and more particularly to an electronic device and its virtual knob. Background Technology

[0002] Rotary interactive devices on electronic devices such as washing machines are generally mechanical knobs. The limitations of mechanical knobs include: reliance on physical encoders and multi-component linkage mechanisms, resulting in high design complexity; increased assembly processes due to the combination of multiple components, affecting production efficiency; difficulty in achieving complete sealing of the combined structural components, making them susceptible to moisture damage and poor waterproof performance; and limited interactive operation, recognizing only circumferential movements.

[0003] Patent CN111857234B discloses a knob, including a fixed post, a base plate, a first touch sensing component and a conductive housing. Multiple touch electrodes are provided on the bottom surface of the base plate. The conductive housing rotates with the fixed post and is coupled to the touch electrodes through the conductive part to realize the sensing function of hand operation rotation. However, it still has the problems of low structural simplification, poor water resistance and inability to recognize vertical interactive actions. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, a virtual knob is provided.

[0005] This invention relates to a virtual knob, mounted on an external substrate, comprising a knob body, a processing module, a capacitor-to-digital converter circuit, a switch array, and at least two detection modules. The knob body is configured as a non-movable component protruding from the outer surface of the substrate. One detection module is located on the side wall of the knob body, and the other detection module is located on either the side wall of the knob body or the outer surface of the substrate. One detection module is configured to include at least three first electrodes, which are arranged circumferentially around the knob body to form a partially closed or fully closed first discrete array to detect the interaction of the user's hand rotating around the array's central axis on the knob body. The other module is configured to include an electrode unit surrounding the knob body, which is offset from the first discrete array in the direction of the array's central axis to cooperate with the first discrete array in detecting the interaction of the user's hand pushing and pulling along the array's central axis on the knob body. The capacitor-to-digital converter circuit is coupled to each electrode through the switch array. The processing module is coupled to the capacitor-to-digital converter circuit.

[0006] The virtual knob of this utility model also includes the following auxiliary technical solutions:

[0007] The array comprises at least two electrode units, which are staggered along the central axis of the array. The electrode units are located on the same side of the first discrete array, or they are distributed on opposite sides of the first discrete array.

[0008] The electrode unit is configured as a continuous strip electrode.

[0009] The electrode unit is configured to include several second electrodes, which are arranged circumferentially along the knob body to form a partially closed or fully closed second discrete array. The electrodes between the first discrete array and the second discrete array are aligned vertically.

[0010] The first electrode is rectangular or triangular.

[0011] This includes indicators used to indicate the rotation angle and / or rotation position.

[0012] It also includes an electronic device, including but not limited to a washing machine, which is equipped with the aforementioned virtual knob.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the virtual knob of this invention has the following advantages:

[0014] (1) The structural design is simplified, eliminating the need for mechanical encoders and simplifying the internal structure;

[0015] (2) Production and assembly are convenient, components are reduced, assembly process is optimized, and production efficiency is improved;

[0016] (3) Richer interactive operations, in addition to recognizing circumferential movements, it can also recognize vertical movements;

[0017] (4) The axial height difference ensures that the capacitive signals of rotation and push-pull actions are spatially decoupled to avoid misjudgment, and combined with CDC detection capabilities, it captures subtle gesture changes.

[0018] (5) It is highly waterproof. The knob body is a non-movable protruding component, and the appearance can be fully enclosed, eliminating the risk of water leakage.

[0019] (6) The electrodes are arranged on the bottom surface, which is conducive to production and assembly. The electrodes are arranged on the side surface, which is in line with people's operating habits. At the same time, the top surface is left empty, which can be used to further arrange display units or other modules, to meet the needs of human-computer interaction to a greater extent, facilitate debugging and integration, and save space. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1a A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob with electrodes arranged on the side wall is provided. Figure 1b A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob with electrodes distributed on the sidewalls and the outer surface of the substrate is given.

[0021] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of a continuous strip electrode unit is given. Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the discrete electrode unit is given.

[0022] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of the same-side dual-electrode unit is given. Figure 3b A schematic diagram showing the electrode units distributed on both sides of the discrete array is given.

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a triangular electrode is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] refer to Figure 1a The virtual knob 1, as one of the operating components of the device, is located on an external substrate 2, such as the washing machine casing. Knob 1 includes a knob body, a circuit board, and a detection module. The knob body protrudes from the outer surface of the substrate to form a fixed, non-movable component, and the circuit board is embedded within the cavity of the protrusion or within the washing machine casing. The circuit board includes a processing module, a capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) circuit, and a switch array. These components are integrated into a single chip for miniaturization. The capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) circuit uses Δ-Σ modulation to directly convert the measured capacitance value into a digital value by repeatedly charging and discharging the capacitor and comparing it with a reference capacitance (see US Patent Number: 5,134,401), improving the measurement sensitivity to the capacitance to the 1ff level.

[0026] See Figure 1a , 1b The minimum number of detection modules is set to two. One detection module 3 is located on the side wall of the knob body (for schemes with a rounded transition between the side wall and the top surface of the knob body, the rounded transition should be understood as part of the side wall), and the other detection module 4 is located on the side wall or the outer surface of the substrate of the knob body.

[0027] Taking the example where detection modules 3 and 4 are both located on the side wall, see... Figure 2a , 2b One detection module is configured to include at least three first electrodes 31, which are arranged circumferentially around the knob body to form a partially or fully closed first discrete array to detect the interaction of the user's hand rotating around the array's central axis on the knob body. The minimum three electrodes constitute the identification of the rotation direction and rotation angle. The other detection module is configured to include electrode units 41 surrounding the knob body. The electrode units 41 can be continuous or discrete, and are offset from the first discrete array along the array's central axis to form a height difference, thus facilitating the detection of the user's hand pushing or pulling along the array's central axis on the knob body. A capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit couples each electrode through a switch array to obtain capacitance, and a processing module couples the capacitance-to-digital conversion circuit.

[0028] The first discrete array detects the rotation of the hand around the central axis. When the finger moves circumferentially along the knob 1, the capacitance value of the electrode closer to the finger increases, and the capacitance value of the electrode farther away decreases. The rotation direction and angle can be sensed by the sequence and amplitude of the capacitance changes of at least three circumferentially arranged electrodes. The electrode unit 41 is located on the side wall of the knob 1 or the surface of the base 2 and is axially offset from the first array. When the finger is pressed down or pulled up, the approach or departure of the hand along the central axis is detected by the sequence of capacitance changes of the electrode unit 41 and the first array.

[0029] The virtual knob structure of this utility model offers the following advantages: simplified structural design, eliminating the need for mechanical encoders and simplifying internal construction; convenient production and assembly, reduced components, optimized assembly process, and improved production efficiency; richer interactive operations, recognizing not only circumferential movements but also vertical movements; axial height difference ensures spatial decoupling of the capacitive signals of rotation and push-pull movements, avoiding misjudgments, and combined with CDC's 1fF-level detection capability to capture minute gesture changes; strong waterproof performance, allowing for a fully enclosed design with no risk of water leakage; electrode placement on the bottom surface facilitates production and assembly, while placement on the side conforms to user operating habits, leaving the top surface free for further placement of display units or other modules, better meeting human-computer interaction needs, facilitating debugging and integration, and saving space.

[0030] See Figure 3a , 3b As an improvement, at least two electrode units 41 are provided, and the electrode units 41 are staggered in the direction of the array's central axis. Multiple staggered electrode units 41 form an axial capacitance gradient detection. By comparing the capacitance change ratio of electrodes at different heights, the distance of the hand approaching or moving away can be determined more accurately. Simultaneously, different trigger thresholds are set by using electrodes at different heights. Furthermore, all electrode units 41 are located on the same side of the first discrete array, such as... Figure 3a To ensure the consistency of the impact of environmental noise such as humidity on the multilayer electrode unit 41, interference can be eliminated through differential signals; alternatively, each electrode unit 41 can be distributed on both sides of the first discrete array, such as... Figure 3b This expands the detection range for vertical motion.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the electrode unit 41 can be configured as a continuous strip electrode, such as... Figure 2a This simplifies manufacturing and assembly. Electrode unit 41 can also be configured to include several second electrodes, such as... Figure 2bEach second electrode is arranged circumferentially along the knob body to form a partially or fully closed second discrete array. The second discrete array can detect circumferential rotation like the first array. Combined with an axial misalignment design, multi-dimensional gesture recognition is achieved. Furthermore, the electrodes between the first and second discrete arrays are vertically aligned. By aligning the coaxial capacitance difference of the electrodes under push-pull movements, the resolution of axial movements is improved. In this invention, the first electrode 31 is rectangular, as shown... Figure 2a Alternatively, the first electrode 31 may be triangular, such as... Figure 4 .

[0032] As another improvement, knob 1 is equipped with indicators to show the rotation angle and / or rotation position. These indicators may include mechanical icons or electronic components such as audio-visual cues, enhancing operational intuitiveness and interactive feedback, and improving the user experience in conjunction with push-pull shifting.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model.

Claims

1. A virtual knob, disposed on an external substrate, characterized in that: It includes a knob body, a processing module, a capacitor-to-digital converter circuit, a switch array, and at least two detection modules; The knob body is configured as a non-movable component protruding from the outer surface of the substrate, with one detection module located on the side wall of the knob body and the other detection module located on the side wall of the knob body or the outer surface of the substrate. One of the detection modules is configured to include at least three first electrodes, each of which is arranged circumferentially around the knob body to form a partially closed or fully closed first discrete array to detect the interaction of the user's hand rotating around the array's central axis on the knob body. The other module is configured to include an electrode unit surrounding the knob body, the electrode unit being offset from the first discrete array in the direction of the array's central axis to cooperate with the first discrete array in detecting the interaction of the user's hand pushing and pulling on the knob body along the array's central axis. The capacitor-to-digital converter circuit is coupled to each electrode via a switch array. The processing module is coupled with a capacitor-to-digital converter circuit.

2. The virtual knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode unit has at least two units, and the individual electrode units are misaligned in the direction of the array's central axis.

3. The virtual knob according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each electrode unit is located on the same side of the first discrete array, or each electrode unit is distributed on both sides of the first discrete array.

4. The virtual knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode unit is configured as a continuous strip electrode.

5. The virtual knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode unit is configured to include several second electrodes, each of which is arranged circumferentially along the knob body to form a partially closed or fully closed second discrete array.

6. The virtual knob according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electrodes of the first discrete array and the second discrete array are aligned vertically.

7. The virtual knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode is rectangular or triangular.

8. The virtual knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: Includes indicators for indicating rotation angle and / or rotation position.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, Including the virtual knob as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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