CASE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A case for an electronic device comprising a touch member disposed at a side portion of the electronic device, and a touch sensing device disposed inside the electronic device is provided. The case includes a case body including a side portion and coupled to cover at least a part of an external surface of the electronic device; a conductor disposed in a first area of the side portion of the case body, and configured to face the touch member when the case is coupled to the electronic device, and a dielectric member disposed on one side of the conductor, where the conductor is comprised of a conductive material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0115984 filed on Sep. 10, 2020, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0149365 filed on Nov. 10, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a case for an electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, wearable devices have been developed in a thin form factor, are simpler, and have been implemented with sleeker, more elegant designs. Thus, typical mechanical switches are being eliminated. Dustproof and waterproof technologies are being implemented, as well as the development of an integrated model with a smooth design.

Currently, technologies such as touch on metal (ToM) technology that implements touch inputs on metal, capacitor sensing technology using touch panels, micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS), and micro strain gauges are being developed. Furthermore, a force touch function is also being developed.

In the example of an existing mechanical switches, a large sized mechanical switch and a large internal space are needed to implement the function(s) of the switch. Thus, there may be a disadvantage that the exterior of the wearable device may not be sleek or elegant due to a shape protruding to the outside of an external case, or the structure not being integrated with the external case, and the wearable device may occupy a relatively large space. Additionally, there is a risk of electric shocks due to direct contact with a mechanical switch that is electrically connected and, in particular, there is a disadvantage that it may be difficult to obtain a waterproof and dustproof construction of the wearable device due to structural characteristics of the mechanical switch.

In order to solve this disadvantage, a touch sensing device having a touch sensing function replacing a mechanical switch has been developed.

However, typical cases have been manufactured without any consideration or additional function for the touch sensing function. When the typical cases are used in an electronic device having a touch sensing device, there may be problems in which they may not be recognized, or sensitivity may be reduced.

SUMMARY

In a general aspect, a case, for an electronic device including a touch member disposed at a side portion of the electronic device, and a touch sensing device disposed inside the electronic device, the case including a case body, comprising a non-conductive side portion, and configured to cover at least a part of an external surface of the electronic device; a conductor, disposed in a first area of the non-conductive side portion of the case body, and configured to face the touch member when the case is coupled to the electronic device; and a dielectric member disposed on one side of the conductor, wherein the conductor is comprised of a conductive material.

The conductor may be configured to generate parasitic capacitance between a user and the touch sensing device in response to a touch by the user.

The conductor may be completely embedded in the case body, and is disposed inside the non-conductive side portion of the case body.

The conductor may be disposed inside the non-conductive side portion of the case body, and is disposed to be exposed externally from at least one of an external portion of an internal portion of the non-conductive side portion of the case body and an internal portion of the non-conductive side portion of the case body.

The conductor may be disposed to be exposed externally from an external portion of the non-conductive side portion of the case body and an internal portion of the non-conductive side portion of the case body.

The conductor may be disposed on an external surface of the non-conductive side portion of the case body and an internal surface of the non-conductive side portion of the case body.

The dielectric member may be provided as a plurality of dielectric members, and the plurality of dielectric members may be respectively disposed on an outer surface of the conductor and an inner surface of the conductor.

The dielectric member may be disposed to surround the conductor.

The case may include a touch area display member disposed in a touch area in an external portion of the non-conductive side portion of the case body.

In a general aspect, a case, for an electronic device comprising a touch member disposed at a side portion of the electronic device, and a touch sensing device disposed inside the electronic device, the case includes a case body, including a dielectric side portion, and configured to cover at least a part of an external surface of the electronic device; and a conductor, disposed in a first area of the dielectric side portion of the case body, and configured to face the touch member when the case is coupled to the electronic device, wherein the conductor is comprised of a conductive material.

The conductor may be configured to generate parasitic capacitance between a user and the touch sensing device in in response to a touch by the user.

The conductor may be completely embedded in the case body, and may be disposed inside the dielectric side portion of the case body.

The conductor may be disposed inside the dielectric side portion of the case body, and may be disposed to be exposed externally from at least one of an external portion of the dielectric side portion of the case body and an internal portion of the dielectric side portion of the case body.

The conductor may be disposed on an outer surface of the dielectric side portion of the case body and an inner surface of the dielectric side portion of the case body.

The case may further include a touch area display member disposed in a touch area in an external portion of the dielectric side portion of the case body.

The parasitic capacitance may include an internal capacitance that is generated between the touch sensing device and the conductor, and an external capacitance that is generated between the conductor and the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an example case for an example electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 3, an electronic device10(e.g., a mobile phone) to which the present disclosure is applied, may include a side portion50located between a front surface30and a rear surface40, on which a display is disposed.

The side portion50of the electronic device10may include a touch member TM1, located at a segment or first area of the side portion50. The electronic device10may further include a touch sensing device20that detects a touch to the touch member TM1, or senses the presence of a finger above the touch member TM1.

The side portion50may include, for example, a frame51, a cover52, and a glass53. The frame51may extend from an inside, or inner, area of the electronic device10to the side portion50. The cover52may extend from the rear surface40of the electronic device10to the side portion50. The glass53may extend from the front surface30of the electronic device10to the side portion50. Since this example may be only one example of the side portion50, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The side portion50may not be limited to a specific structure.

For example, the frame51may be, as a non-limiting example, a metal frame that forms a central skeleton of the electronic device10. The cover52may be non-conductive, for example, a material of the cover52may be glass or plastic. The glass53may be a front display glass, and may not be limited to the above example.

In an example, the electronic device10may include a side portion50having a three-layer structure including a glass53, a frame51, and a cover52. In another example, the side portion50of the electronic device10may have a two-layer structure of a frame51and a cover52. In this example, the frame51may be disposed in a central portion of side portion50of the electronic device10, and the cover52may be disposed below the central portion.

Referring toFIG. 1, to replace a typical mechanical button or switch, a touch member TM1, a portion of the side portion50, may be disposed on the side portion50.

In an example, the touch sensing device20may include a sensor that detects a touch to the touch member TM1, or that senses an object such as a finger above the touch member TM1, and may detect a touch by a contact, force, or a combination thereof, such as capacitive sensing, inductive sensing, ultrasonic sensing, and the like, but is not limited to a specific sensing manner. In this example, the combination of contact and force may be a hybrid sensing structure that performs both contact sensing and force sensing.

In an example, referring toFIG. 1, the electronic device10may be, as non-limiting examples, a portable device, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone, or a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, but is not limited to a specific device, and may be a portable or wearable electronic device, or an electronic device having a switch for operation control.

In the examples, the touch may include a touch corresponding to a contact, and a touch corresponding to pressing. In this example, the contact may refer to a simple contact that may not be accompanied by a pressing force, and the pressing may refer to force of pressing, following the contact. Therefore, in the examples, in a similar manner to the contact or the force, if not limited to a specific term, the touch may refer to concepts including both contact and force (e.g., pressing force), or may refer to any either thereof.

In an example, referring toFIG. 1, the electronic device10may be a portable device, such as a smartphone, or a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, but is not limited to a specific device, and may be a portable or wearable electronic device, or an electronic device having a switch for operation control.

The touch member TM1, illustrated inFIG. 1, may not be exposed externally, and in particular, the touch member may have a structure that may not be seen externally by various passivation treatments.

AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates that one (1) touch member TM1is included, this is only an example. The electronic device may actually include at least one touch member, which is illustrative, but is not limited thereto.

A case100for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments, may be applied to the electronic device10described above, but is not limited to the electronic device described above. The case100may be applied to an electronic device having a touch sensing device.

The case100may include, for example, only a side portion115. As another example, the case100may include a bottom portion112and a side portion115, which are non-conductive.

In an example, the case100may further include a conductor200disposed on the side portion115, and a detailed description thereof will be provided later.

For each of the drawings of the present disclosure, unnecessary duplicate descriptions may be omitted for the same reference numerals and components having the same functions, and possible differences for each of the drawings may be described.

FIG. 2illustrates cross-sectional structures of an example electronic device and an example case for the electronic device, andFIG. 3illustrates cross-sectional structures of an example electronic device and an example case for the electronic device.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, a case100for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments, may be applied to the electronic device10described above.

The case100may include a case body110, a conductor200, and a dielectric member300(FIGS. 9A and 9B).

The case body110may include a bottom portion112(FIG. 1) and a side portion115(FIG. 1), which may be non-conductive, and may be coupled to cover a portion of an external portion (e.g., the side portion50and the rear surface40) of the electronic device10.

The conductor200may be disposed in a portion of the side portion115of the case body110facing a touch member TM1of the electronic device10when coupled to the electronic device10, and may be formed of an electrically conductive material or may include a conductive material.

The dielectric member300will be described with reference toFIGS. 9A and 9B.

Referring toFIG. 2, the electronic device10may include a touch sensing device20that detects a touch to the touch member TM1, or that senses the presence of an object such as a finger above the touch member TM1. The touch sensing device20may include a sensing electrode SE1, a conductor wiring W10, a sensing coil SCO1, and a substrate22.

The sensing electrode SE1may be made of a conductive material, and may be disposed inside or may be spaced apart inside the touch member TM1, and may react with the conductor200to form capacitance. The conductor wiring W10may be made of a conductive material, and may electrically connect the sensing electrode SE1and the sensing coil SCO1. The sensing coil SCO1may be disposed on the substrate22, and may be connected to the sensing electrode SE1through the conductor wiring W10. The substrate22may be disposed directly on a frame in the electronic device10or may be disposed via a plate.

The touch sensing device20embedded in the electronic device10is not limited to the above-described structure, and may have a structure sufficiently capable of sensing a touch.

In another example, referring toFIG. 3, the electronic device10may include a touch sensing device20that detects a touch to the touch member TM1, or that senses the presence of an object such as a finger above the touch member TM1.

As a difference from the structure illustrated inFIG. 2, the electronic device10may further include a dielectric member60disposed inside or spaced apart inside the touch member TM1. The touch sensing device20may be disposed inside or spaced apart inside the dielectric member60.

In the examples, the dielectric member60may be a member disposed on a portion of the frame51to have predetermined degree of permittivity, and may be, for example, Glastic, a material made from glass and plastic. This is not limited to the above example as long as the member has permittivity that generates parasitic capacitance by touching a human body.

The touch sensing device20of the electronic device10, illustrated inFIG. 2, may perform an operation according to a touch, when a user1(e.g., a user's hand or finger) touches the touch member TM1, a side button. In the electronic device10, there may be problems in that touch sensitivity may be deteriorated and an operation according to the touch may not be performed, when a typical case (or a protective case) for an electronic device is covered, or the user wears a general glove.

This may be described using Equation 1 below.

In Equation 1, C is capacitance [F] between parallel plates, ε is permittivity [F/m] between the parallel plates, A is an area [m2] of the parallel plates, and d is a distance [m] between the parallel plates. In the electronic device10, the parallel plates may be the user's hand and the sensing electrode SE1.

In Equation 1, d may be a distance between the user's hand and the sensing electrode SE1. In this example, it can be seen that the longer the distance d, the lower a value of the capacitance C. In an example, when the distance d is a certain distance or more, the capacitance C may be about zero (0), such that a signal may not be detected in a capacitive sensing operation.

In consideration of these drawbacks, to overcome the distance d, a method of thinning a case for an electronic device to shorten the distance d should be used. In this regard, since a natural function of the case, e.g., a protection function of shock absorption may cause loss, it may not be desirable to use a method of thinning the case to a certain level or less.

Therefore, in the examples, to improve sensitivity (sensing ability) sufficiently to detect a signal by a touch without thinning the case, a configuration in which the conductor200is disposed on the side portion115of the case100facing the touch member TM1disposed on the side portion50of the electronic device10may be proposed, which will be described later.

FIG. 4illustrates cross-sectional structures of an example electronic device and an example case for the electronic device.

Referring toFIG. 4, a conductor200may generate parasitic capacitance Cp_out between a user1and a touch sensing device20in response to a touching by the user.

Additionally, a case100for an electronic device may be located between the user1and a sensing electrode SE1having conductivity, and may include the conductor200disposed on a side portion115of the case100facing the sensing electrode SE1.

Therefore, internal capacitance Cp_in may be generated between the sensing electrode SE1inside the electronic device10and the conductor200of the case100, and outer capacitance Cp_out may be generated between the conductor200of the case100and the user1(e.g., a hand or finger).

Accordingly, as the internal capacitance Cp_in and the outer capacitance Cp_out are generated, the distance d may be overcome even when the case100is used. Additionally, when the conductor200of the case100is touched, the same effect may be obtained, as compared to when the user (e.g., a hand or a finger) directly touches the touch member TM1disposed on the side portion50of the electronic device10.

Hereinafter, some examples in which a case100for an electronic device includes a conductor200will be described with reference toFIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7, and 8.

FIG. 5illustrates a conductor included in a case for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 5, a conductor200may not be exposed externally, and may be embedded in a side portion115of a case body110.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate example conductors included in example cases for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 6A, a conductor200may be disposed inside a side portion115of a case body110, and may be disposed to be exposed externally outside the side portion115of the case body110.

Referring toFIG. 6B, a conductor200may be disposed inside a side portion115of a case body110, and may be disposed to be exposed externally inside the side portion115of the case body110.

FIG. 7illustrates an example conductor included in an example case for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 7, a conductor200may be disposed to be exposed externally inside and outside a side portion115of a case body110.

FIG. 8illustrates an example conductor included in an example case for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 8, a conductor200may be provided as a plurality of conductors200, and the plurality of conductors200may be disposed inside and outside of a side portion115of a case body110.

Additionally, the plurality of conductors200may include a first conductor201disposed on the outer surface of the side portion115of the case body110, and a second conductor202disposed on the inner surface of the side portion115of the case body110.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 8, a main concept of the present disclosure may be provided to dispose the conductor200disposed on the case body110of the case100, to improve touch sensing sensitivity.

Considering the main concept of the present disclosure, the present disclosure may be provided to dispose the conductive body200having conductivity inside, outside, or around the case100, to obtain the same effect, even when the touch member of the electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone) covered with the case100is touched by the user (e.g., a hand), as compared to when directly touching the touch member of the electronic device without a case for an electronic device.

Referring to Equation 1, it can be seen that the capacitance C may be proportional to the permittivity c.

Additionally, when the case100to be used in the electronic device10(e.g., a mobile phone) includes the conductor200as illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 8, capacitance may increase.

Additionally, even when a dielectric member composed of a material having a high permittivity c is included, it may be helpful to increase the capacitance C, which will be described later.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate example conductors included in example cases for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, example cases100for an electronic device may further include a dielectric member300disposed on one side surface of a conductor200.

Referring toFIG. 9A, the case100may further include the dielectric member300disposed on an outer surface of the conductor200. Referring toFIG. 9B, the case100may further include the dielectric member300disposed on an inner surface of the conductor200.

FIG. 10illustrates an example case for an electronic device, having a conductor and a dielectric member, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 10, a dielectric member300may be disposed on both surfaces of a conductor200including an outer surface and an inner surface.

Additionally, the dielectric member300may include a first dielectric301disposed on the outer surface of the conductor200, and a second dielectric302disposed on the inner surface of the conductor200.

FIG. 11illustrates an example case for an electronic device, having a conductor and a dielectric member, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 11, a dielectric member300may be disposed to surround a conductive member200.

FIG. 12illustrates an example case for an example electronic device, having a conductive member and a touch area display unit, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 12, a case100for an electronic device may further include a touch area display member400disposed in a touch area in an external portion of a side portion115of a case body110.

Additionally, when the case100of the present disclosure includes a conductive member200embedded in the case body110, to easily grasp arrangement of the embedded conductive member200, the case100may include the touch area display member400disposed on a surface of the case body110.

Further, when the case100of an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone) includes the conductive member200disposed inside the case body110not to be exposed externally, the touch area display member400may be additionally included in a portion to be touched. In this example, an area to be touched may be accurately recognized even when covered with the case100.

In an example, the touch area display member400may be implemented with a simple picture or pattern, may have a protruding structure, and may itself be formed of at least one of a conductive member or a dielectric member.

FIG. 13illustrates an example case for an electronic device, having a dielectric member and a conductive member included in a case body, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 13, and, in comparison with the example illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 12, the cases illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 12include the side portion115that may be non-conductive, while a case100illustrated inFIG. 13may include a side portion115that may be dielectric. Descriptions overlapping the above descriptions may be omitted.

Additionally, in differences between the case100illustrated inFIG. 5and the case100illustrated inFIG. 13, the side portion115of the case illustrated inFIG. 5may be non-conductive, while the side portion115of the case illustrated inFIG. 13may be dielectric.

Even in this case, a conductive member200may generate parasitic capacitance Cp_out between a user1and a touch sensing device20in when touched by the user, as illustrated inFIG. 4.

Additionally, referring toFIG. 13, for example, the conductive member200may not be exposed externally, and may be embedded in the side portion115of a case body110.

FIGS. 14A and 14Billustrate example conductive members included in example cases for an electronic device, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 14A and 14B, a conductive member200may be disposed inside a side portion115of a case body110, and may be disposed to be exposed externally at least one of outside and inside the side portion115of the case body110.

Referring toFIG. 14A, the conductive member200may be disposed inside the side portion115of the case body110, and may be disposed to be exposed externally outside the side portion115of the case body110.

Referring toFIG. 14B, the conductive member200may be disposed inside the side portion115of the case body110, and may be disposed to be exposed externally inside the side portion115of the case body110.

FIG. 15illustrates a dielectric member and a conductive member included in a case body, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 15, a conductive member200may be provided as a plurality of conductive members200, and the plurality of conductive members200may be disposed on outer and inner surfaces of a side portion115of a case body110.

In other words, the plurality of conductive members200may include a first conductive member201disposed on the outer surface of the side portion115of the case body110, and a second conductive member202disposed on the inner surface of the side portion115of the case body110.

FIG. 16illustrates a dielectric member and a conductive member included in a case body, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 16, a case100for an electronic device may further include a touch area display member400disposed in a touch area in an external portion of a side portion115of a case body110.

In an example, the touch area display member400may be implemented with a simple picture or pattern, may have a protruding structure, and may itself be formed of at least one of a conductive member or a dielectric member.

FIG. 17illustrates an example touch sensing circuit unit when a conductor is not provided, andFIG. 18illustrates an example touch sensing circuit unit when there is a conductor.

Referring toFIG. 17, when a conductor is not provided, since a typical case for an electronic device may be relatively thick, parasitic capacitance may be about zero (0) even when touched by a hand.

Referring toFIG. 18, when there is a conductor in a case for an electronic device, parasitic capacitance may be generated when touched. Such a change in capacitance may be detected using a frequency, to sense capacitance.

Referring toFIGS. 17 and 18, a circuit unit20-IC may include an oscillation circuit OSC that generates oscillation signals having different resonance frequencies, depending on whether or not a touch member TM1is touched.

In an example, the oscillation circuit OSC may include an inductance circuit OSC-L including a sensing coil SCO1, a capacitance circuit OSC-C including a capacitor element mounted on a substrate22, and an amplification circuit OSC-A maintaining resonance.

The amplification circuit OSC-A is not limited to the function of amplification. In an example, the amplification circuit OSC-A may be an inverter or an amplifier.

Additionally, the amplification circuit OSC-A may generate a negative resistance such that a resonance circuit maintains and oscillates the resonance, to generate an oscillation signal having a corresponding resonance frequency.

Referring toFIG. 17, in an example where a case for an electronic device does not include a conductor, even when a user1(e.g., a hand or a finger) touches a touch member TM1, parasitic capacitance may not be generated. In this example, the inductance circuit OSC-L may provide inductance L, and the capacitance circuit OSC-C may provide capacitance C (where, C=2C∥2C). In this example, a resonance frequency may be expressed as Equation 2 below.

Referring toFIG. 18, in an example where a case for an electronic device includes a conductor200, when a user1(e.g., a hand or a finger) touches a touch member TM1, parasitic capacitance Cp_out and Cp_in may be generated. In this example, the inductance circuit OSC-L may provide inductance L, and the capacitance circuit OSC-C may provide capacitance C (where, C=2C II (2C+CT)) that may be varied by the parasitic capacitance. In this case, a resonance frequency may be expressed as Equation 3 below.

Referring toFIG. 18, when the user1(e.g., a hand or a finger) touches the case100including the conductor200, such a touch may activate the touch member TM1. In this example, parasitic capacitance Cp_in and Cp_out may be generated between a first sensing electrode SE1covered by a cover52and the user via the conductor200of the case100, and magnitude of equivalent capacitance C of the oscillation circuit OSC may be changed by parasitic capacitance.

As a result, for example, referring to Equation 3, capacitance may increase to decrease a resonance frequency. This may be sensed to recognize the touch.

The oscillation circuit OSC illustrated inFIG. 18may further include parasitic capacitance Cp_in and Cp_out and ground return capacitance Cg, in addition to the oscillation circuit OSC illustrated inFIG. 17.

Therefore, the oscillation circuit OSC ofFIG. 18may generate an oscillating signal having a frequency variable by the added parasitic capacitance Cp_in and Cp_out and the added ground return capacitance Cg, as the case100including the conductor200is touched.

In Equations 1 and 2, may mean that they may be the same or may be similar. In this case, ‘similar’ may refer to the act that other values may be further included.

In Equation 2, if “∥” is defined as follows, ‘a∥b’ may refer to a series connection of ‘a’ and ‘b’ in a circuit, and the sum thereof may be defined as calculated as ‘(a*b)/(a+b).’ This definition may also be applied to other Equations of the present disclosure.

In Equation 2, Cp_in may refer to parasitic capacitance between the user1and the conductor200, Cp_out may refer to parasitic capacitance between the conductor200and the sensing electrode SE1, and Cg may refer to ground return capacitance between a circuit ground and earth.

Comparing Equation 2 (in the example where a conductor is not provided) and Equation 3 (in the example where a conductor is provided), since capacitance 2C of Equation 2 may be increased to capacitance (2C+CT) of Equation 3, it can be seen that a resonance frequency without a touch may be lowered to a resonance frequency with a touch.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a case for an electronic device, that may be applied to the electronic device having a touch sensing device without a physical button, instead of a typical mechanical button, may have an advantage to improve sensitivity of touch sensing such as capacitive sensing or/and inductive sensing.