Electronic device and input module thereof
An input module for an electronic device includes a key and a touch sensing unit. The touch sensing unit includes a substrate, a sensing circuit, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate. The conductive member has a connection portion and a sensing portion. The connection portion is electronically connected to the sensing circuit, and the sensing portion is movable with respect to the substrate and connected to the key for detecting a contact on the key.
1. An input module for an electronic device, comprising:
a key, comprising a contact portion;
a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit disposed on the substrate, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate, wherein the conductive member has a connection portion electronically connected to the sensing circuit and a sensing portion movable with respect to the substrate and connected to a bottom surface of the key for detecting a contact on the key, wherein the contact portion of the key passes through the conductive member and penetrates the substrate and the sensing circuit;
a circuit board disposed under the substrate; and
a switch disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the key, wherein when the key is pressed by an external force, the contact portion of the key is configured to contact and turn on the switch.
2. The input module mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch is a metal dome switch.
3. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.
4. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the conductive member is U-shaped.
5. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductive member forms a part of a scissors-type mechanism pivotally connecting the substrate and the key.
6. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.
7. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the touch sensing unit comprises a capacitive touch sensor.
8. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the key is pressed by the external force, the sensing portion of the conductive member is configured to move toward the substrate due to a deformation of the conductive member, so as to enable the contact portion of the key to contact and turn on the switch.
9. The input module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductive member protrudes upwardly from the substrate and the sensing portion of the conductive member is higher than an upper surface of the sensing circuit.
10. An electronic device, comprising:
a display; and
an input module electrically connected to the display for data input, the input module comprising:
a key, comprising a contact portion;
a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit disposed on the substrate, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate, wherein the conductive member has a connection portion electronically connected to the sensing circuit and a sensing portion movable with respect to the substrate and connected to a bottom surface of the key for detecting a contact on the key, wherein the contact portion of the key passes through the conductive member and penetrates the substrate and the sensing circuit;
a circuit board disposed under the substrate; and
a switch disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the key, wherein when the key is pressed by an external force, the contact portion of the key is configured to contact and turn on the switch.
11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.
12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.
13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the input module comprises a dialing keypad.
14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the input module comprises a QWERTY keyboard.
15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the touch sensing unit comprises a capacitive touch sensor.
16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein when the key is pressed by the external force, the sensing portion of the conductive member is configured to move toward the substrate due to a deformation of the conductive member, so as to enable the contact portion of the key to contact and turn on the switch.
17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the conductive member protrudes upwardly from the substrate and the sensing portion of the conductive member is higher than an upper surface of the sensing circuit.