SUSPENSION FOR A PRESSURE SENSITIVE TOUCH DISPLAY OR PANEL

• US 20110051334A1
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: F-Origin, Inc.
• Inventors: Griffith, David, Mölne, Anders, Smith, Gary, Lackey, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,270,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04142 the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/024 programmable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/025 Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation

Abstract

A suspension system for mounting a touch surface of a pressure sensitive touch display or panel. The suspension system comprises a frame and a flexible suspension membrane connected to the touch surface and the frame, the membrane allowing frictionless movement of the touch surface along the z-axis and resisting movement of the touch surface within the x-y plane. At least one force sensor is connected beneath the touch surface, whereby the touch surface is pre-loaded against the at least one force sensor.

Claims

1. A suspension system for mounting a force sensitive touch display or panel having a touch surface defining an x-y plane with a normal z-axis, comprising:

a frame;

a suspension membrane connected to the touch surface and the frame for suspending the touch surface from the frame, the membrane allowing freedom of movement of the touch surface along the z-axis and resisting movement of the touch surface within the x-y plane; and

at least one force sensor connected beneath the touch surface,

whereby the touch surface is pre-loaded against the at least one force sensor.

2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the suspension membrane lies within the periphery of the touch surface.

3. The suspension system of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a bezel that projects over the touch surface, and the membrane is interspaced between the bezel and the touch surface, and the bezel applies a downward force to the membrane to pre-load said touch surface.

4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the membrane is connected to the touch screen on the side of the touch surface that is touched, and the membrane extends beyond the periphery of the touch screen.

5. The suspension system of claim 4, wherein the membrane is connected to the frame below where the membrane connects to the touch screen, whereby the membrane presses down on the touch surface to create the pre-load on the touch surface against the at least one force sensor.

6. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the membrane is connected to the touch screen on the side opposite the side on the touch surface that is touched, whereby the membrane pulls the touch surface down to create the pre-load on the touch surface against the at least one force sensor.

7. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the membrane seals a gap between the touch surface and the frame preventing dust and water from passing.

8. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises a piezo-resistive force sensor.

9. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises one from the group consisting of a strain gauge, a load cell, and a force sensing resistor.

10. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises two or more force sensors.

11. A touch sensitive display or panel, comprising:

a touch surface defining an x-y plane having a z-axis that is normal to the x-y plane;

a frame;

a suspension membrane connected to the touch surface and the frame for suspending the touch surface from the frame, the membrane allows freedom of movement of the touch surface along the z-axis and resists movement of the touch surface within the x-y plane; and

at least one force sensor connected beneath the touch surface,

whereby the touch surface is pre-loaded against the at least one force sensor.

12. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the membrane lies within the periphery of the touch surface on the side that is touched.

13. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a bezel that projects over the touch surface, and the membrane is interspaced between the bezel and the touch surface, whereby the bezel applies a downward force to the membrane to create the pre-load on the touch surface.

14. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the membrane is connected to the side of the touch screen that is touched, and the membrane extends beyond the periphery of the touch screen.

15. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 14, wherein the membrane is connected to the frame below where the membrane connects to the touch screen, whereby the membrane presses down on the touch surface to create the pre-load on the touch surface against the at least one force sensor.

16. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the membrane is connected to the side opposite the side of the touch screen that is touched, whereby the membrane pulls the touch surface down to create the pre-load on the touch surface against the at least one force sensor.

17. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the membrane seals a gap between the touch surface and the frame preventing dust and water from passing.

18. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises one from the group consisting of a strain gauge, a load cell, and a force sensing resistor.

19. The touch sensitive display or panel of claim 11, wherein the at least one force sensor comprises two or more force sensors.