Input device with transmission element actuated switch

• US 9,927,886 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hsieh, Lin-Hsiang
• Primary Examiner(s): EARLES, BRYAN E
• Application Number:
  US12/890,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20120075199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,741 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

An input device, and a method for providing an input device, are provided. The input device includes a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. At least one sensor electrode is disposed on the sensor substrate, and the at least one sensor electrode is configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side. A switch is disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate. The input device also includes a transmission element having first and second portions. The transmission element is configured such that sufficient depression of the first portion causes the second portion to actuate the switch.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side;

a sensor electrode disposed on the first side of the touch sensor substrate and configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side;

an input surface above the sensor electrode on the first side of the touch sensor substrate;

a transmission element not integral with the touch sensor substrate and comprising a first portion and a second portion; and

a switch disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate and configured to be actuated by;

a first method comprising moving the touch sensor substrate and the switch disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate towards the transmission element in response to a user force applied to the input surface,

wherein the switch is actuated against the transmission element when the switch reaches the transmission element; and

a second method comprising rotating the second portion of the transmission element about a pivot in response to a user depression associated with the first portion,

wherein the switch is actuated against the second portion when the second portion reaches the switch, and

wherein the transmission element and the pivot are all portions of one integral component, and wherein the transmission element is configured to rotate in a gimbal motion about the pivot due to local material deformation proximate the pivot.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a button element configured to depress the first portion of the transmission element in response to the user depression.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the button element is integral with a casing of an electronic system.

4. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a support member affixed to the touch sensor substrate, wherein the transmission element is moveably coupled to the support member.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein the transmission element and the support member are portions of one integral component.

6. The input device of claim 4, wherein the support member is integral with a casing of an electronic system.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a snap dome.

8. An input device comprising:

a touch sensor substrate comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

a sensor electrode disposed on the first side of the touch sensor substrate and configured to sense input objects in a sensing region located on the first side of the touch sensor substrate;

a switch physically coupled to the second side of the touch sensor substrate;

a button element located such that it does not overlap the switch;

a transmission element having a first portion coupled to the button element and a second portion;

a pivot, wherein depression of the button element by a user causes the second portion of the transmission element to rotate about the pivot towards the switch, and wherein the switch is actuated against the second portion when the second portion reaches the switch; and

an input surface coupled to the touch sensor substrate,

wherein the touch sensor substrate is configured to move towards the transmission element in response to a user force applied to the input surface,

wherein the switch is actuated against the transmission element when the switch reaches the transmission element,

wherein the transmission element, the pivot, and the button element are all portions of one unified body formed from the same piece of material, and

wherein the transmission element is configured to rotate in a gimbal motion about the pivot due to local material deformation proximate the pivot.

9. The input device of claim 8, further comprising:

a support member affixed to the touch sensor substrate, wherein the transmission element is moveably coupled to the support member.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the transmission element and the support member are portions of one integral component.

11. The input device of claim 8, wherein the transmission element is coupled to the pivot.

12. The input device of claim 9, wherein the support member is a portion of a casing of an electronic system.

13. A method for operating an input device comprising an input surface, a switch, a sensor electrode, and a button element, the method comprising:

transmitting a user force applied to the input surface to a touch sensor substrate (TSS) comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the sensor electrode is disposed on the first side, wherein the switch is disposed on the second side, and wherein the input surface is above the sensor electrode;

moving, in response to the user force, the TSS and the switch towards a transmission element comprising a first portion and second portion, wherein the switch is actuated against the transmission element when the switch reaches the transmission element;

transmitting a user depression applied to the button element to the first portion of the transmission element; and

rotating the second portion of the transmission element about a pivot in response to transmitting the user depression, wherein the switch is actuated against the second portion when the second portion reaches the switch.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the switch comprises a snap dome.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the button element is integral with a casing of an electronic system.