Force sensor integrated cable module and pressure sensitive touch screen

• US 10,133,387 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kuo, Hsienhsien, Chen, Fushen
• Primary Examiner(s): Sadio, Insa
• Application Number:
  US13/259,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20120026120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,274 Days
• Field of Search: 345156, 345173-183, 3151691-1693, 178 1801- 1803
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an integrated cable module for force sensors adaptable to a pressure-sensitive touch panel. The module includes an integrated cable and a cable frame. Specifically, the integrated cable has signal lines for transferring sense signals of the force sensors. The integrated cable has a number of branches, and an assembling part that assembles the branches. The cable frame has an opening window, and has a groove used for placing the integrated cable.

Claims

1. An integrated cable module for force sensors, comprising:

an integrated cable comprising a plurality of signal lines for transferring sense signals from a plurality of the force sensors respectively, the plurality of signal lines of the integrated cable divided into a plurality of branches, the plurality of branches gathered at an assembling part for assembling the plurality of signal lines of the plurality of branches, wherein the plurality of branches of the integrated cable are symmetric about the assembling part of the integrated cable; and

a cable frame defining an opening window which is encompassed by the cable frame, the cable frame having a groove for depositing the plurality of branches and the assembling part of the integrated cable, wherein the cable frame has openings respectively at positions corresponding to each of the force sensors.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the integrated cable is U-shaped.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the integrated cable is a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of branches of the integrated cable comprise a left branch and a right branch, each of which transfers the sense signals of two of the force sensors.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the integrated cable comprises a plurality of input/output interfaces configured to transfer signals from or to the force sensors.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the integrated cable is fastened to the groove of the cable frame by glue or adhesive tape.

7. The module of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board configured to couple at least one of the force sensors to the cable frame.

8. The module of claim 7, further comprising a presser for fastening the printed circuit board to the cable frame.

9. The module of claim 7, further comprising a connector configured to couple the printed circuit board to the integrated cable.

10. The module of claim 1, further comprising a protection scheme disposed on the cable frame.

11. The module of claim 10, wherein the protection scheme comprises a protection screw and a protection screw nut, wherein the protection screw prevents the force sensors from being damaged when a user exerts a force beyond a predetermined amount.

12. A pressure-sensitive touch panel, comprising:

a touch glass;

a cable frame deposited on the touch glass, the cable frame defining an opening window which is encompassed by the cable frame, the cable frame further having a groove;

an integrated cable deposited in the groove, the integrated cable comprising a plurality of signal lines, the plurality of signals lines of the integrated cable divided into a plurality of branches, the plurality of branches gathered at an assembling part for assembling the plurality of signal lines of the plurality of branches, wherein the plurality of branches are symmetric about the assembling part;

a plurality of force sensors deposited on the cable frame, the plurality of force sensors sensing touch on the touch glass and then transferring sense signals to the plurality of signal lines of the integrated cable, wherein the cable frame has openings respectively at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of force sensors such that the plurality of force sensors contact with and sense the touch on the touch glass through the openings; and

a liquid crystal module (LCM) configured to receive the sense signals from the assembling part of the integrated cable.

13. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the groove is on a side of the cable frame facing away from the touch glass.

14. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the integrated cable is fastened to the groove of the cable frame by glue or adhesive tape.

15. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the integrated cable is U-shaped.

16. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the integrated cable is a flexible flat cable (FTC) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

17. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the plurality of branches of the integrated cable comprise a left branch and a right branch, each of which transfers the sense signals of two of the plurality of force sensors.

18. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein the integrated cable comprises a plurality of input/output interfaces configured to transfer signals from or to the plurality of force sensors.

19. The touch panel of claim 12, further comprising a printed circuit board configured to couple at least one of the plurality of force sensors to the cable frame.

20. The touch panel of claim 19, further comprising a presser for fastening the printed circuit board to the cable frame.

21. The touch panel of claim 19, further comprising a connector configured to couple the printed circuit board to the integrated cable.

22. The touch panel of claim 12, further comprising a protection scheme disposed on the cable frame.

23. The touch panel of claim 22, wherein the protection scheme comprises a protection screw and a protection screw nut, wherein a bottom of the protection screw contacts the touch glass in order to prevent the plurality of force sensors from being damaged when a user exerts a force beyond a predetermined amount.

24. The touch panel of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of force sensors comprises a ball elastically touching and facing towards the touch glass, thereby providing motion stroke between the touch glass and the at least one of the plurality of force sensors.

25. The touch panel of claim 12, further comprising:

a front chassis having an opening window, wherein the opening window exposes a portion of the touch glass and defines a touch area; and

a rear chassis, wherein a space formed between the front chassis and the rear chassis accommodates the touch glass, the cable frame, the integrated cable, the plurality of force sensors and the LCM.

26. The touch panel of claim 25, further comprising a water-proof frame deposited between the front chassis and the touch glass, wherein the water-proof frame prevents water or foreign particles from entering the space between the front chassis and the rear chassis.

27. The touch panel of claim 25, further comprising a spring fastened to an inner surface of the front chassis and against the touch glass.

28. A pressure-sensitive touch panel, comprising:

a touch glass;

a cable frame deposited on the touch glass, the cable frame defining an opening window which is encompassed by the cable frame, the cable frame further having a groove;

an integrated cable deposited in the groove, the integrated cable comprising a plurality of signal lines, the plurality of signals lines of the integrated cable divided into a plurality of branches, the plurality of branches gathered at an assembling part for assembling the plurality of signal lines of the plurality of branches, wherein the plurality of branches are symmetric about the assembling part;

a plurality of force sensors deposited on the cable frame, the plurality of force sensors sensing touch on the touch glass and then transferring sense signals to the plurality of signal lines of the integrated cable, wherein at least one of the plurality of force sensors comprises a ball elastically touching and facing towards the touch glass, thereby providing motion stroke between the touch glass and the at least one of the plurality of force sensors; and

a liquid crystal module (LCM) configured to receive the sense signals from the assembling part of the integrated cable.

29. The touch panel of claim 28, further comprising a protection scheme disposed on the cable frame, wherein the protection scheme comprises a protection screw and a protection screw nut, wherein a bottom of the protection screw contacts the touch glass in order to prevent the plurality of force sensors from being damaged when a user exerts a force beyond a predetermined amount.