Touch interface and electronic device comprising same

Abstract

A touch interface and an electronic device comprising same are provided. The touch interface may comprise: a substrate; a light-emitting element; a capacitive sensor; a panel; and a plurality of touch gaskets that are arranged opposite each other on the substrate with the light-emitting element interposed therebetween and support the panel.

Description

Touch interface and electronic device including the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch interface and an electronic device including the same.

[0002] Electronic devices are utilized in various fields of daily life. Depending on their respective uses and specifications, these devices can perform a variety of pre-configured operations. As one of the means to perform these operations, an input means is essential.

[0003] As a representative example of an input method, touch-based input methods based on physical contact and electrical signals are utilized. In some cases, such input methods are illuminated so that the operating location on the electronic device can be identified even in dark conditions.

[0004] However, when input methods combine touch and lighting, the input means take on a relatively complex structure. Consequently, it inevitably requires multiple manufacturing stages. This can lead to difficulties in reducing costs, improving work efficiency, and managing yield for the production of input means.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an input method that simplifies the overall structure to minimize the manufacturing process, and facilitates cost reduction and quality control during production.

[0006] A touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a substrate; a light-emitting element; a capacitive sensor; and a panel; and a plurality of touch gaskets positioned oppositely on the substrate with the light-emitting element in between to support the panel.

[0007] An electronic device including a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main body; a touch interface disposed on the main body; a driving device; a memory storing at least one instruction; and a processor that controls the driving device to perform an operation according to the instruction when a touch is detected on the touch interface, wherein the touch interface comprises: a substrate embedded in the main body; a light-emitting element; a capacitive sensor; a panel exposed to the outside of the main body; and a plurality of touch gaskets disposed oppositely with the light-emitting element in between and supporting the panel, and wherein the processor can detect the touch based on the sensing value of the capacitive sensor.

[0008] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are perspective views illustrating an electronic device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating the configuration of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIGS. 6 to 9 are perspective views illustrating touch interfaces according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a touch input is performed on a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on an electronic device.

[0014] The embodiments described in this specification may be modified in various ways. Specific embodiments may be depicted in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, specific embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of various embodiments. Accordingly, the technical concept is not limited by specific embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that it includes all equivalents or substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0015] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but such components are not limited by the foregoing terms. The foregoing terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0016] When it is described that a component is "connected" or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or joined to that other component, there may also be other components in between.

[0017] On the other hand, when a component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that no other component exists in between.

[0018] In this disclosure, the term "identical" implies not only complete agreement but also a degree of difference that accounts for a range of processing errors. Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of this disclosure, such detailed description is abbreviated or omitted.

[0019] Meanwhile, electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, induction ranges, vacuum cleaners, etc. Furthermore, touch interfaces according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in each of various types of electronic devices and may serve to enable the electronic devices to perform preset operations.

[0020] Accordingly, it is obvious that the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various types of devices not mentioned above, provided that a touch interface can be installed.

[0021] Hereinafter, a dryer will be used as an example to describe one of the aforementioned electronic devices. A touch interface according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will also be described as being applied to a dryer.

[0022] A touch interface can be defined by various other names such as touch device, touch unit, touch module, touch means, input device, input unit, input module, input means, identification device, identification unit, identification module, and operation panel; of course, if touch input is applied, it can also be defined by various other names.

[0023] Hereinafter, an electronic device and a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are perspective views illustrating an electronic device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device (100) may be implemented as a dryer. The main body (10) of the dryer may be a polygonal tubular body and may have a square or rectangular shape, etc. The shape of the main body (10) is exemplary and, of course, can be modified into various other shapes.

[0025] However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the electronic device (100) may be a home appliance. Specifically, the electronic device (100) may include various home appliances such as a washing machine, refrigerator, air conditioner, dryer, induction cooker, vacuum cleaner, and cooking appliance.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the electronic device (100) is to be described based on a washing machine or dryer.

[0027] The main body (10) may include a front panel (11), a top panel (12), and a side / rear panel (13). A control panel (15) may be disposed in a portion of the front panel (11). The control panel (15) is configured to perform interaction with a user. The control panel (15) may include at least one operating unit (15-1), a display (15-2), etc. The operating unit (15-1) includes buttons, a wheel, etc., for inputting various commands for controlling the electronic device (100), and the display (15-2) may display various information related to the operation of the electronic device (100).

[0028] An opening (10H) is formed in the front panel (11) of the main body (10). The opening (10H) is implemented in a circular shape and can be connected to a structure that can be opened and closed toward the front of the main body (10).

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a state in which a door (14) provided on the main body (10) of the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 is open. In the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the door (14) is pivotably coupled to the front panel (11), so that a user can open and close the opening (10H) by pulling one side of the door (14). Specifically, a hinge (14-1) may be disposed on one side of the front panel (11) adjacent to the opening (10H), and the door (14) may be connected to the hinge (14-1) and open and close the opening (10H) by rotating about the hinge (14-1).

[0030] The door (14) may be circular, corresponding to the shape of the opening (10H), and is configured to have a larger diameter than the opening (10H). Accordingly, the drying material can be fed into the drying chamber (not shown) of the drum (140) through the opening (10H) by opening the door (14).

[0031] When the door (14) must be opened for the use of the electronic device (100), it is necessary to implement a system that allows easy identification of the location of the door (14), particularly the location of the handle for opening the door (14). In the case of the electronic device (100) installed in a dark place or during nighttime hours, it may be difficult for the user to visually identify the location of the electronic device (100) or the location of the door (14). Accordingly, the electronic device (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a touch interface that provides lighting. The user can easily identify the location of the touch interface by looking at the light emitted from the touch interface and can touch or operate the touch interface. A processor (not shown) of the electronic device (100) can perform a control operation corresponding to the touch operation when the touch interface is touched. For example, if a door opening operation is matched to the touch operation, the processor can perform an operation to open the door (14) when the touch is identified.

[0032] The touch interface is not used solely for opening the door (14), but may be placed on other parts of the main body (10) of the electronic device (100) to facilitate identification of the location of the main body (10). For example, it may be placed on at least one of the top panel (12) and the side / rear panel (13) of the main body (10). Alternatively, the control panel (15) may be implemented as a touch interface in whole or in part. For example, a touch button among the operating parts (15-1) of the control panel (15) may be implemented as a touch interface. The user can see the light emitted from the touch interface and accurately identify the location of the touch button.

[0033] The touch interface may include a panel (235). The panel (235) may be placed on one side of the door (14). A detailed description of the panel (235) will be covered in detail after FIG. 5, so a description thereof is omitted.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic device including a touch interface according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] According to FIG. 3, the electronic device (100) includes a touch interface (200), a driving device (210), a memory (110), and a processor (120).

[0036] The touch interface (200) emits light using at least one light-emitting element and is configured to detect a user's touch. The touch interface (200) can be placed at various locations within the main body (10) of the electronic device (100). The detailed configuration of the touch interface (200) will be described in detail in the following section.

[0037] The driving device (210) is configured to drive each component included within the electronic device (100) to perform various operations. The type of driving device (210) may vary depending on the type of electronic device (100). For example, if the electronic device (100) is implemented as a dryer, the driving device (210) may include a drum, a heater, a fan, a motor, etc.

[0038] Memory (110) is a configuration for storing various programs, data, and instructions required for the operation of an electronic device (100). Memory (110) is accessed by a processor (120), and reading / writing / modifying / deleting / updating data by the processor (120) can be performed. Memory (110) can be implemented as at least one of various types of memory, such as RAM (dynamic RAM), SRAM (static RAM), SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM), OTPROM (one-time programmable ROM), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable and programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory, hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD).

[0039] The processor (120) is a component for controlling the overall operation of the electronic device (100). The processor (120) can perform various operations based on instructions, programs, data, etc. stored in memory (110). The processor (120) can be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a microprocessor that processes digital signals. However, it is not limited thereto, and may include or be defined by one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), a Micro Processing Unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), an ARM processor, or an Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor. Additionally, the processor (120) may be implemented as a System on Chip (SoC) or Large Scale Integration (LSI) with built-in processing algorithms, or may be implemented in the form of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

[0040] Specifically, the processor (120) can identify whether a user has touched based on a sensing value output from the touch interface (200). When a touch is identified, the processor (120) identifies an instruction matched to the touch interface (200) from the memory (110) and performs a control operation corresponding to that instruction. For example, if an instruction for opening a door is stored in the memory (110), the processor (120) can apply an electric signal to a motor connected to an actuator (not shown) provided in the main body (10) to which the door is connected. The motor can push the actuator according to the electric signal to open the door (14).

[0041] As another example, if an instruction to turn on the control panel (15) is stored in memory (110), the processor (120) can turn on the control panel (15) when a touch is identified. Accordingly, the display (15-2) is turned on and various menus that the user can operate can be displayed. Thus, the electronic device (100) can be easily used even in a dark environment.

[0042] As described above, the electronic device (100) can be implemented in various types. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device implemented as a dryer.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the driving device (210) of the electronic device (100) may include a drum (140), a heater (150), and a fan (160).

[0044] The electronic device (100) of FIG. 3 may include, in addition to memory (110) and processor (120), a sensor (130), a drum (140), a heater (150), a fan (160), a user input unit (170), a communication unit (180), and a touch interface (200).

[0045] The memory (110) can store programs, data, instructions, etc. used by the electronic device (100) to perform a drying function. For example, it can store a temperature, drying time, and a threshold value for temperature or humidity to identify whether drying is complete for each operation mode.

[0046] The processor (120) can control the operation of the electronic device (100) based on instructions, programs, data stored in memory (110) and user operations input through the user input unit (170) or touch interface (200).

[0047] The sensor (130) may include a humidity sensor installed inside the electronic device (100) to measure the humidity of the air inside the electronic device (100) or a temperature sensor to measure the temperature. The processor (120) may compare the humidity and temperature measured by the sensor (130) with a threshold value stored in the memory (110) to estimate the degree of drying progress and, accordingly, determine whether to terminate the drying function.

[0048] The drum (140) is configured to accommodate a drying object. The drum (140) may be rotatably positioned inside the main body (10). The drum (140) is connected to an opening (10H) so that the object to be dried can be introduced into the interior through the opening (10H).

[0049] Meanwhile, a motor (not shown) is provided inside the main body (10), so that the drum (140) can be rotated according to the rotation of the motor (not shown). Through this, the drying material introduced into the drying chamber (not shown) can be tumbled so that hot air can be applied uniformly to the drying material.

[0050] The heater (150) is configured to supply hot air into the drum (140). The electronic device (100) can dry the material inside the drum (140) by using the hot air heated by the heater (150).

[0051] The fan (160) generates airflow according to rotation. The fan (160) is driven by a motor (not shown), and the rotation speed and direction of rotation of the fan (160) can be changed according to the control of the motor (not shown).

[0052] The user input section (170) is configured to receive various user commands and interact with the user. The user input section (170) may include the control panel (15) described above.

[0053] The communication unit (180) includes a circuitry and is configured to communicate with various external devices and servers based on a wired or wireless communication method.

[0054] The touch interface (200) is configured to receive user operations for various actions, such as turning the power of the aforementioned electronic device (100) on / off, operating it in various preset modes through a driving device (210) (e.g., a motor, etc.) on the electronic device (100), or opening or closing a door. The touch interface (200) can accurately identify the point to be touched by the user by emitting light using at least one light-emitting element. The touch interface (200) can identify the user's touch using a capacitive touch method.

[0055] As described in the above section, the touch interface (200) may be placed in at least a part of the aforementioned user input section (170) and door (14).

[0056] The processor (190) can detect a touch on the touch interface (200). When the processor (190) detects a touch on the touch interface (200), it can control the driving device (210) to perform an action according to an instruction. Here, the processor (190) can detect such a touch based on the sensing value of a capacitive sensor (not shown).

[0057] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a touch interface (200) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a touch interface (200) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a touch interface (200) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a substrate (210), a light-emitting element (220), a capacitive sensor (not shown), and a panel (235).

[0059] A capacitive sensor (not shown) may be mounted on a substrate (210). Specifically, the capacitive sensor (not shown) may be mounted on the substrate (210) in the form of an IC circuit. However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the capacitive sensor (not shown) may be formed in various forms on the touch interface (200).

[0060] The light-emitting element (220) can be mounted on the substrate (210). Specifically, the light-emitting element (220) can be mounted on the substrate (210) at a point between the touch gaskets (240).

[0061] In FIGS. 5 and 6, two touch gaskets (240) are shown, but the number and placement positions of the touch gaskets can be varied, and this is illustrated in other drawings described later.

[0062] The substrate (210) may be implemented as a rigid type as well as a flexible type. In addition, the substrate (210) may be implemented as a glass substrate.

[0063] One or more light-emitting elements (220) may be mounted on the substrate (210).

[0064] The light-emitting element (220) may be positioned with at least a portion embedded on the electronic device (100) together with the substrate (210). The light-emitting element (220) may be implemented as an LED, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be implemented as various types of light sources such as a lamp or a backlight unit.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a light-emitting element (220) is positioned in the area between two mutually opposing touch gaskets (240). Accordingly, light emitted from the light-emitting element (220) is irradiated toward the back of the panel (235) through the area between the touch gaskets (240). Thus, an external user can visually identify the location of the light irradiated onto the panel (235).

[0066] As a result, the light irradiation position is between the two touch gaskets (240), so if the user touches the location where the light is identified, the touch can be detected by the surrounding touch gaskets (240). That is, since the lighting position and the touch position are synchronized, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the wrong place.

[0067] One or more light-emitting elements (220) may be provided on the substrate (210) depending on the required light intensity and the specifications of the touch interface (200). A panel (235) may be provided so as to face at least a portion of the light-emitting elements (220).

[0068] The panel (235) may be a part corresponding to the exterior of the aforementioned touch interface (200) or a part corresponding to the exterior of the aforementioned door (14).

[0069] The panel (235) may be made of a transparent or translucent material. As an example, the panel (235) may be made of plastic, glass, and other materials. The panel (235) may be provided with a thickness suitable for emitting light from the light-emitting element (220) to be identifiable to the outside. Accordingly, light irradiated from below may be projected outward through the panel (235) or diffused by the panel (235). The panel (235) may be composed of multiple layers rather than a single layer, provided that it can make the light irradiated from the light-emitting element (220) identifiable to the outside, and may be provided as a combination of multiple structures rather than a single structure.

[0070] The light-emitting element (220) and the panel (235) may be provided on the electronic device (100) such that at least a portion of them face each other in the left-right direction, up-down direction, diagonal direction, etc. The touch interface (200) may be provided in various positions to consider the user's handling convenience on the electronic device (100).

[0071] If the distance between multiple touch gaskets (240) is made sufficiently narrow, even if a user touches a light-emitting location on the panel (235) with a small body part such as a finger, the touch is made to the surrounding touch gasket (240) locations. Accordingly, the capacitance value of the touch gasket (240) locations changes.

[0072] A capacitance sensor (not shown) is a sensor for sensing the capacitance value at the location of the touch gasket (240). The capacitance value sensed by the capacitance sensor (not shown) is transmitted to the processor (120), and the processor (120) can identify whether the user has touched the device based on whether there is a change in the capacitance value. However, it is not limited to this, and the capacitance sensor (not shown) itself may identify whether there is a change in the capacitance value to identify whether there is a touch, and then transmit a corresponding electrical signal (e.g., a pulse corresponding to 0 or 1) to the processor (120).

[0073] The touch gasket (240) can be implemented with a non-conductive material or a conductive material. When a touch gasket (240) made of a non-conductive material is used, the dielectric constant (F / m) of the touch gasket (240) can be set within a size range suitable for capacitance sensing (e.g., 2 (F / m) to 4 (F / m)). When a conductive touch gasket is used, a shielding film, etc., may be additionally used to detect the occurrence of unnecessary capacitance between the panel (235), the substrate, the electrode, etc.

[0074] A touch gasket (240) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed adjacent to a light-emitting element (220) on a substrate (210). The touch gasket (240) may also serve to guide light irradiated by the light-emitting element (220) on the substrate (210) toward the panel (235).

[0075] To this end, the touch gasket (240) may have a structure that forms a light path so that the light from the light-emitting element (220) is not dispersed into the electronic device (100) or biased toward an incorrect path, but is concentrated and irradiated along a normal path.

[0076] The touch gasket (240) may be provided as a plurality of touch gaskets (240) that are positioned opposite each other with a light-emitting element in between on a substrate (210) and support a panel (235), for example. The plurality of touch gaskets (240) may allow light to be guided from the substrate (210) side to the panel (235) side through a space (G) formed between them.

[0077] More specifically, each of the plurality of touch gaskets (240) may include a touch gasket body (241) and a conductive layer (242). Here, the touch gasket body (241) may be positioned on one side of the light-emitting element (220) to serve to separate the panel (235) and the light-emitting element (220).

[0078] A plurality of touch gasket bodies (241) may be arranged on a substrate (210) as a pair, facing each other by forming a space (H) with a light-emitting element (220) in between. A conductive layer (242) may be formed on the surface of the touch gasket (240) body and serve to electrically connect the electrode (p) formed on the panel (235) and the substrate (210). Additionally, the conductive layer (242) may be formed in a shape that surrounds the touch gasket body (241).

[0079] The conductive layer (242) can be implemented as a metal fabric. However, this is an example, and any material capable of electrically connecting the electrode (p) of the panel (235) and the substrate (210) as described above may be used.

[0080] A plurality of touch gasket bodies (241) may be arranged on a substrate (210) to surround at least a portion of the light-emitting element (220). As illustrated in one example, the touch gasket (240) may be provided with two touch gaskets (240) facing each other with the light-emitting element (220) in between.

[0081] In addition, the touch gasket (240) body may include an elastic body provided in the form of a bar, etc. Here, the elastic body may be rubber, sponge, compressed sponge, etc. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the distance between the substrate (210) and the panel (235) corresponds to the length value of the elastic body, it may be acceptable to use any material.

[0082] The touch gasket body (241) is formed of an elastic material, thereby minimizing variations in the touch sensitivity of the capacitive sensor (not shown). Specifically, since the touch gasket body (240) is formed of an elastic material, the touch interface (200) can be assembled while maintaining a constant gap between the electrode (P) and the panel (235) during the assembly process. Accordingly, the completed touch interface (200) has an equal gap between the electrode (P) and the panel (235), thereby minimizing variations in touch sensitivity caused by the user's touch.

[0083] In FIG. 5, the touch gasket (240) is depicted with the touch gasket body (241) and the conductive layer (242) as separate components, but it is not necessarily limited thereto and can be formed as a single component of the conductive layer formed of an elastic material.

[0084] In FIG. 5, the touch gasket (240) can be formed in a form that is in close contact between the electrode (P) and the panel (235). Accordingly, even if a user touches the panel (235), the touch interface (200) can minimize the change in the contact area between the touch gasket (240) and the electrode (P). Additionally, even if a user touches the panel (235), the touch interface (200) can minimize the change in the contact area between the touch gasket (240) and the panel (235).

[0085] The conductive layer (242) may be formed on at least a first surface (S1) in contact with the panel (235), a second surface (S2) in contact with the substrate (210), and a third surface (S3) connecting the first surface (S1) and the second surface (S2) among each surface of the elastic body.

[0086] Such a conductive layer (242) may be a square or rectangular structure with a polygonal cross-section or a cross-section including a circular or elliptical shape, and, of course, may be provided in a state where multiple structures are combined rather than a single one if necessary.

[0087] Here, the conductive layer (242) may be provided by being wound around the outer surface of the elastic body in an up-and-down direction. The conductive layer (242) may be manufactured into a plurality of touch gaskets (240) through a cutting process while wound around a single prepared elastic body. At this time, at least some of the elastic bodies among the plurality of touch gaskets (240) may be in a state where the conductive layer (242) does not exist on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction due to cutting in the up-and-down direction.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a touch interface (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, touch gaskets (240) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arranged in different directions with the light-emitting element (220) in between. In the above-described embodiment, it was explained that touch gaskets (240) are provided as a pair facing each other. However, as shown in FIG. 7, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, touch gaskets (240) may be provided spaced apart from each other to surround three outer surfaces centered on the light-emitting element (220).

[0089] Accordingly, the plurality of touch gaskets (240) can have a different light distribution pattern compared to the light from the light-emitting element (220) irradiated onto the panel (235) according to FIG. 6. That is, the touch gaskets (240) can form a light path by forming an arrangement structure of three touch gaskets (240) that form a triangular configuration on the substrate (210).

[0090] These three touch gaskets (240) can guide the light emitted from the light-emitting element (220) to be emitted onto the panel (235) in a shape corresponding to a triangular configuration. Accordingly, the panel (235) can emit the light guided in a triangular configuration to the outside.

[0091] In addition, at least some of these three touch gaskets (240) may be provided with mutually different shapes and specifications, and of course, they may be provided with mutually identical shapes and specifications. Furthermore, the panel (235) may be provided in a pre-set independent form, but may also be provided in a form that corresponds at least partially to the three touch gaskets (240). Through this, the distribution of guided light can be emitted in an optimized state. Even in a structure like that of FIG. 7, light is emitted in the area between the multiple touch gaskets (240), so the light emission location and the touch location can coincide. That is, when a user touches the light emission location with their finger, a touch can be made to at least one of the multiple touch gaskets (240) in the vicinity, and the touch can be identified accordingly. Therefore, the user can accurately identify the touch location without using a separate optical waveguide structure to match the light location and the touch location.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a touch interface (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 8, a touch gasket (240) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arranged in another form with the light-emitting element (220) in between. The touch gasket (240) may be provided spaced apart from each other to surround four surfaces with the light-emitting element (220) in between. This allows the distribution shape of light irradiated onto the panel (235) to be changed to another form compared to the case of FIG. 7.

[0094] The touch gasket (240) can form a light path by arranging four touch gaskets (240) in a rectangular configuration on the substrate (210). In addition, at least some of these multiple touch gaskets (240) may be provided with mutually different shapes and specifications, or they may be provided with mutually identical shapes and specifications.

[0095] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a touch interface (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, a touch gasket (240) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arranged in a form different from the touch gasket (240) of FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 described above. In each of the previously described embodiments, the touch gaskets (240) were provided in a plurality spaced apart from each other on a substrate (210) with the light-emitting element (220) at the center.

[0096] Therefore, light irradiated from the light-emitting element (220) leaks out into the space (G) between the plurality of touch gaskets (240), causing a light leakage phenomenon. Due to this light leakage phenomenon, the intensity of the light irradiated onto the panel (235) and emitted from the panel (235) is inevitably weakened relatively.

[0097] On the other hand, the touch gasket (240) according to FIG. 9 is implemented in a single integrated form. Specifically, it may be provided in a ring shape so that a gap (G) is not created between multiple touch gaskets (240). Such touch gaskets (240) may be manufactured as an integrated form that already forms one during the manufacturing stage, rather than in a form where multiple touch gaskets (240) are connected to each other.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a touch input is performed on a touch interface (200) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, the touch interface (200) may include a sensor pad (250) and a via electrode (260). The sensor pad (250) may be formed on the surface of a substrate (210), and the sensor pad (250) may be provided on the substrate (210) to correspond to a touch gasket (240). That is, the sensor pad (250) may be provided in a single number to correspond to a touch gasket (240) on the substrate (210). In addition, it may be provided as two sensor pads (250) corresponding to two touch gaskets (240). The via electrode (260) penetrates the substrate (210) and may be electrically connected to the sensor pad (250).

[0099] The sensor pad (250) may be provided as a plurality of sensor pads (250) such that the touch gasket (240) corresponds individually to the plurality of touch gaskets (240), or as a single sensor pad (250) in which all of the plurality of touch gaskets (240) are connected. At least one via electrode (260) may be provided on the substrate (210) to enable electrical connection and may be connected to the sensor pad (250).

[0100] Meanwhile, touch contact can be performed on the panel (235) on the touch gasket (240) via the panel (235). For example, when a user's finger (F) contacts the touch gasket (240), different capacitance values ​​can be sensed at the touch gasket (240) and the sensor pad (250) depending on the contact area and location of the touch gasket (240).

[0101] Therefore, when the touch gasket (240) is provided in a single unit on the substrate (210), the area where touch contact is possible is limited, and the variability of the capacitance value increases, which inevitably leads to a problem that reduces the effectiveness of the capacitance method. In particular, if the shape of the touch gasket (240) is not uniform, this problem is bound to become even more severe, and a problem that may result in product design constraints also occurs.

[0102] However, since the touch gasket (240) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a plurality of touch gaskets (240), the contact area of ​​the user's finger (F) can be expanded. For example, when the plurality of touch gaskets (240) according to FIG. 5 are provided with two, even if the user's finger (F) enters between the two touch gaskets (240), the two touch gaskets (240) can each recognize the correction capacity value of the finger (F) that is in direct contact or approach.

[0103] That is, multiple touch gaskets (240) can each acquire a capacitance value together in response to a user's touch contact. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the touch sensitivity of the capacitive method can be stably improved and the shape constraints of the touch gaskets (240) in the product design can be resolved. This advantage can be applied equally to the multiple touch gaskets (240) according to FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a touch interface (200) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on an electronic device. Referring to FIG. 11, the touch interface (200) according to the present disclosure may, for example, be installed in the door (14) portion of an electronic device (100).

[0105] Even when the surrounding environment is dark, a touch interface (200) is provided on the door (14) portion, thereby enabling more intuitive access. That is, since the door (14) of the electronic device (100) is a part that is directly handled to put in or take out a drying object inside, providing a touch interface (200) on this door (14) allows for intuitive operation of the electronic device (100).

[0106] Furthermore, since the touch interface (200) is emitting light, the location of the door (14) can be identified in a dark environment, and in particular, the handle (1411) of the door (14) is provided in an adjacent area so that the handle of the door (14) can also be identified based on the touch interface (200), thereby enabling easy handling of the electronic device (100).

[0107] In FIG. 11, a single touch interface (200) is shown in a rectangular shape. However, as described above, the touch interface (200) can be modified into various shapes other than a rectangular shape and can be provided in multiple locations on the door (14) at pre-set positions. Furthermore, it is possible to set up so that different functions are performed on the electronic device (100) depending on the position where they are placed.

[0108] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described individually above, each embodiment is not required to be implemented alone, and the configuration and operation of each embodiment may be implemented in combination with at least one other embodiment.

[0109] In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Substrate; Light-emitting element; Capacitance sensor; Panel; and A touch interface comprising: a plurality of touch gaskets arranged oppositely on the substrate with the light-emitting element in between to support the panel.

2. In Paragraph 1, Each of the above plurality of touch gaskets is, A touch gasket body disposed on one side of the light-emitting element to separate the panel and the light-emitting element; and A touch interface comprising: a conductive layer formed on the surface of the touch gasket body to electrically connect the electrode formed on the panel and the substrate.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above touch gasket body includes a bar-shaped elastic body, and A touch interface formed on a first surface contacting the panel, a second surface contacting the substrate, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, among the surfaces of the elastic body.

4. In Paragraph 2, Sensor pads formed on the surface of the above substrate; and Further comprising a via electrode that penetrates the substrate and is electrically connected to the sensor pad, A touch interface in which each of the plurality of touch gaskets is electrically connected to the sensor pad.

5. In an electronic device including a touch interface, entity; A touch interface disposed on the above main body; drive; Memory for storing at least one instruction; and A processor that controls the driving device to perform an operation according to the instruction when a touch on the touch interface is detected; The above touch interface is, A substrate embedded in the above main body; Light-emitting element; Capacitance sensor; A panel exposed to the outside of the above main body; and It includes a plurality of touch gaskets that are positioned opposite each other with the light-emitting element in between and support the panel; The above processor is an electronic device that detects the touch based on the sensing value of the capacitive sensor.

6. In Paragraph 5, Each of the above plurality of touch gaskets is, A touch gasket body disposed on one side of the light-emitting element to separate the panel and the light-emitting element; and An electronic device comprising: a conductive layer formed on the surface of the touch gasket body to electrically connect the electrode formed on the panel and the substrate.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above touch gasket body includes a bar-shaped elastic body, and An electronic device in which the conductive layer is formed on a first surface in contact with the panel, a second surface in contact with the substrate, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface among the surfaces of the elastic body.

8. In Paragraph 7, Sensor pads formed on the surface of the above substrate; and Further comprising a via electrode that penetrates the substrate and is electrically connected to the sensor pad, An electronic device in which each of the above plurality of touch gaskets is electrically connected to the sensor pad.

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