Portable electronic device

A portable electronic device includes a casing, a flexible display panel, a cushion, an inflatable pad, a gas transportation device and a sensing unit. The flexible display panel is embedded in the casing and including a movable region. The cushion is attached on a bottom surface of the movable region. The inflatable pad is attached on a bottom surface of the flexible display panel and covers the cushion. The gas transportation device is in communication with the inflatable pad and electrically connected with the sensing unit. When the sensing unit is touched by a user, a first driving signal is transmitted from the sensing unit to the gas transportation device, in response to which the gas transportation device inflates the inflatable pad again to raise the cushion, so that the movable region corresponding to the cushion is raised.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device with an inflatable pad for supporting a display panel and being further inflated to raise a particular part of the display panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, portable electronic devices such as smart phones or tablet computers are widely used. As known, the physical key of the portable electronic device results in some drawbacks. For example, in case that the smart phone is equipped with the physical key, the physical key increases the size and weight of the smart phone. Moreover, the life span of the physical key is short, and the aesthetically-pleasing appearance is adversely affected. Nowadays, some portable electronic devices are equipped with virtual keys. However, the tactile feel provided by the virtual key is not comparable to the tactile feel of the physical key. Therefore, the benefits of the virtual key and the physical key should be taken into consideration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable electronic device having the functions of the visual key and the physical key. The display panel of the portable electronic device can provide a flat displaying surface. In case that the tactile feel of depressing physical key is required, a portion of the display panel is raised to be used as the physical key. Since the portable electronic device of the present invention is not equipped with the physic key, the fabricating cost and the weight of the portable electronic device are reduced and the life span is prolonged. Moreover, the integrity is enhanced, and the visual effect is improved.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a casing, a flexible display panel, a cushion, an inflatable pad, a gas transportation device and a sensing unit. The flexible display panel is coupled with the casing and includes a movable region. The cushion is attached on a bottom surface of the flexible display panel and corresponding to the movable region of the flexible display panel. The inflatable pad is also attached on the bottom surface of the flexible display panel while covering the cushion. The gas transportation device is disposed within the casing and in communication with the inflatable pad. When a gas is transmitted from the gas transportation device to the inflatable pad, the inflatable pad is inflated with the gas so as to support the flexible display panel. The sensing unit is electrically connected with the gas transportation device. When an external contact force is sensed by the sensing unit, a first driving signal is transmitted from the sensing unit to the gas transportation device. In response to the first driving signal, the gas transportation device transfers gas to the inflatable pad again to further expand the inflatable pad, so that the inflatable pad raises the cushion to make the movable region of the flexible display panel which corresponds to the cushion raised.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a casing, a display panel, a cushion, an inflatable pad, a gas transportation device and a sensing unit. The display panel is coupled with the casing. The display panel includes a pliable display region. The cushion is attached on a bottom surface of the display panel and corresponding to the pliable display region of the display panel. The inflatable pad is also attached on the bottom surface of the display panel and covering the cushion. The gas transportation device is disposed within the casing and in communication with the inflatable pad. When a gas is transmitted from the gas transportation device to the inflatable pad, the inflatable pad is inflated with the gas so as to support the display panel. The sensing unit is electrically connected with the gas transportation device. When an external contact force is sensed by the sensing unit, a first driving signal is transmitted from the sensing unit to the gas transportation device. In response to the first driving signal, the gas transportation device transfers gas to the inflatable pad again to further expand the inflatable pad, so that the inflatable pad raises the cushion to make the pliable display region of the display panel corresponding to the cushion raised.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer toFIGS. 1A and 1B.FIG. 1Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1Bis a schematic exploded view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1A. The portable electronic device1comprises a casing10, a flexible display panel20, a cushion30, an inflatable pad40and a gas transportation device50. The flexible display panel20is embedded in the casing10. Moreover, the flexible display panel20comprises a movable region21that is vertically movable.

Please refer toFIGS. 1B and 2.FIG. 2is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1A. The cushion30is attached on a bottom surface of the movable region21. The inflatable pad40is attached on a bottom surface of the flexible display panel20and covering the cushion30. The gas transportation device50is disposed within the casing10. Moreover, the gas transportation device50is in communication with the inflatable pad40through a communication pipe501. In some embodiments, the gas transportation device50further comprises a control unit (not shown). The control unit is used for receiving information from the user and driving the operation of the gas transportation device50.

The portable electronic device1further comprises a sensing unit (not shown) electrically connected with the gas transportation device50and disposed upon the casing10or upon the movable region21. When the user's finger presses the movable region21, the sensing unit senses the external contact force from the user's finger and issues a first driving signal to the gas transportation device50.

Please refer toFIG. 3A.FIG. 3Ais a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1A. For keeping the flexible display panel20in a flat state, the gas transportation device50transfers gas to the gas inflatable pad40so that the gas inflatable pad40is inflated and provides a supporting force to the flexible display panel20. Consequently, as shown inFIG. 3A, the flexible display panel20is maintained flat and available.

Please refer toFIG. 3B.FIG. 3Bis a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1A, in which the movable region21of the flexible display panel20has been raised. When the sensing unit senses a touch, the sensing unit issues a first driving signal to the gas transportation device50. In response to the first driving signal, the gas transportation device50transfers gas to the inflatable pad40again. Since the portion of the inflatable pad40under the cushion30is inflated with the gas and further expanded, the cushion30is raised. As the cushion30is raised, the movable region21of the flexible display panel20on the cushion30is raised thereby. Under this circumstance, the raised movable region21is formed as a key to be pressed by the user. In other words, by inflating the inflatable pad40, the cushion30and the movable region21are raised to imitate a physical key, which means the tactile feel of depressing the movable region21is similar to the tactile feel of depressing the physical key. As so, the cost and space of installing the physical key are reduced.

Please refer toFIG. 2again. The flexible display panel20further comprises a sensing layer22and a displaying layer23. The displaying layer23is stacked on a top side of the sensing layer22, whereas the inflatable pad40is attached on a bottom side of the sensing layer22. An example of the displaying layer23includes but is not limited to a plasma display plate, a liquid crystal display plate or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display plate. The sensing layer22may be a capacitive sensing layer or a resistance sensing layer for sensing the pressure applied thereto and generates a corresponding feedback signal according to the pressure. In some embodiments, the flexible display panel20further comprises a covering layer24. The covering layer24is located over the displaying layer23, being the topmost layer of the flexible display panel20for protecting the displaying layer23and the sensing layer22. For example, the covering layer24is a light-transmissible plastic plate, a light-transmissible acrylic plate or a light-transmissible glass plate.

Please refer toFIGS. 4A and 4B.FIG. 4Ais a schematic front view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1A.FIG. 4Bis a schematic front view illustrating the portable electronic device ofFIG. 4A, in which at least one key is raised from at least one lateral side of the portable electronic device. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, at least one key11is embedded in at least one lateral side of the portable electronic device. A gas bag (not shown) is located under the key11, being in communication with the gas transportation device50through an additional communication pipe. As shown inFIG. 4A, the at least one key11in an unavailable state is at the same level with the corresponding lateral side of the casing10. As shown inFIG. 4B, when the sensing unit senses a touch from user, the sensing unit issues a second driving signal to the gas transportation device50. In response to the second driving signal, the gas transportation device50transfers gas to the gas bag. Since the gas bag is inflated with the gas and expanded, the at least one key11is raised and protruding from the corresponding lateral side of the casing10. The at least one key11may be a power key or a sound volume key, in which the number, function and position of the at least one key11may be varied according to the practical requirements.

Please refer toFIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B and 7.FIG. 5Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1and taken along the front side.FIG. 5Bis a schematic perspective view illustrating the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1and taken along the rear side.FIG. 6Ais a schematic exploded view illustrating the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1and taken along the front side.FIG. 6Bis a schematic exploded view illustrating the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1and taken along the rear side.FIG. 7is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device ofFIG. 1.

As shown in the drawings, the gas transportation device50comprises a base51, a piezoelectric actuator52, a first insulation plate531, a conducting plate54, a second insulation plate532and a gas collecting plate55. The base51comprises a gas inlet plate511and a resonance plate512. The piezoelectric actuator52is aligned with the resonance plate512. The gas inlet plate511, the resonance plate512, the piezoelectric actuator52, the first insulation plate531, the conducting plate54, the second insulation plate532and the gas collecting plate55are stacked on each other sequentially. Moreover, the piezoelectric actuator52comprises a suspension plate521, an outer frame522, at least one bracket523and a piezoelectric plate524.

The gas inlet plate511comprises a second surface511a, a first surface511band the at least one inlet5110. In this embodiment, the gas inlet plate511comprises four inlets5110. The inlets5110run through the second surface511aand the first surface511bof the gas inlet plate511. In response to the action of the atmospheric pressure, the gas can be introduced into the gas transportation device50through the at least one inlet5110.

As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, at least one convergence channel5112is formed in the first surface511bof the gas inlet plate511, and is in communication with the at least one inlet5110in the second surface511aof the gas inlet plate511. Moreover, a central cavity5111is formed in the first surface511bof the gas inlet plate511and located at the intersection of the convergence channels5112. The central cavity5111is in communication with the at least one convergence channel5112, such that the gas entered by the inlet5110would be introduced into the at least one convergence channel5112and is guided to the central cavity5111. In this embodiment, the at least one inlet5110, the at least one convergence channel5112and the central cavity5111of the gas inlet plate511are integrally formed. The central cavity5111is a convergence chamber for temporarily storing the air.

Preferably but not exclusively, the gas inlet plate511is made of stainless steel. In some embodiments, the depth of the convergence chamber defined by the central cavity5111is equal to the depth of the at least one convergence channel5112. The resonance plate512is made of flexible material, which is preferably but not exclusively copper. The resonance plate512further comprises a central aperture5120corresponding to the central cavity5111of the gas inlet plate511that providing the gas for flowing through. Hereinafter, the region of the resonance plate512corresponding to the central cavity5111of the gas inlet plate511is also referred as a movable part5121of the resonance plate512. The region of the resonance plate512attached on the gas inlet plate511is also referred as a fixed part5122.

FIG. 8Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating the piezoelectric actuator of the gas transportation device of the present invention and taken along the front side.FIG. 8Bis a schematic perspective view illustrating the piezoelectric actuator of the gas transportation device of the present invention and taken along the rear side.FIG. 8Cis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the piezoelectric actuator of the gas transportation device of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the piezoelectric actuator52comprises the suspension plate521, the outer frame522, the at least one bracket523, and the piezoelectric plate524. The length of a side of the piezoelectric plate524is equal to or less than the length of a side of the suspension plate521. The piezoelectric plate524is attached on a first surface521bof the suspension plate521. In response to an applied voltage, the piezoelectric plate524would be subjected to a curvy vibration. The suspension plate521comprises a middle portion521dand a periphery portion521e. When the piezoelectric plate524is subjected to the curvy vibration, the suspension plate521is subjected to the curvy vibration from the middle portion521dto the periphery portion521e. The at least one bracket523is arranged between the suspension plate521and the outer frame522. That is, the at least one bracket523is connected between the suspension plate521and the outer frame522, while the two ends of the bracket523are connected with the outer frame522and the suspension plate521respectively that the bracket523can elastically support the suspension plate521. Moreover, at least one vacant space525is formed between the bracket523, the suspension plate521and the outer frame522for allowing the gas to go through. The type of the suspension plate521and the outer frame522and the type and the number of the at least one bracket523may be varied according to the practical requirements. Moreover, a conducting pin526is protruded outwardly from the outer frame522so as to be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown).

In this embodiment, the suspension plate521has a bulge521cthat makes the suspension plate521a stepped structure. The bulge521cis formed on a second surface521aof the suspension plate521. For example, the bulge521cmay be a circular convex structure. A top surface of the bulge521cof the suspension plate521is coplanar with a second surface522aof the outer frame522, and the second surface521aof the suspension plate521is coplanar with a second surface523aof the bracket523. Moreover, there is a drop of specified amount from the bulge521cof the suspension plate521(or the second surface522aof the outer frame522) to the second surface521aof the suspension plate521(or the second surface523aof the bracket523). A first surface521bof the suspension plate521, a first surface522bof the outer frame522and a first surface523bof the bracket523are coplanar with each other. The length of the piezoelectric plate524is equal to or less than the length of the suspension plate521. The piezoelectric plate524is attached on the first surface521bof the suspension plate521. In some other embodiments, the suspension plate521may be a square plate structure with two flat surfaces but the type of the suspension plate521may be varied according to the practical requirements. In this embodiment, the suspension plate521, the at least bracket523and the outer frame522are integrally formed and produced by using a metal plate (e.g., a stainless steel plate).

In the gas transportation device50, the first insulation plate531, the conducting plate54and the second insulation plate532are stacked on each other sequentially and located under the piezoelectric actuator52. The profiles of the first insulation plate531, the conducting plate54and the second insulation plate532substantially match the profile of the outer frame522of the piezoelectric actuator52. The first insulation plate531and the second insulation plate532are made of an insulating material (e.g. a plastic material) for providing insulating efficacy. The conducting plate54is made of an electrically conductive material (e.g. a metallic material) for providing electrically conducting efficacy. Moreover, the conducting plate54has a conducting pin541so as to be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown).

FIGS. 9A to 9Cschematically illustrate the actions of the gas transportation device of the portable electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 9A, the second insulation plate532, the conducting plate54, the first insulation plate531, the piezoelectric actuator52, the resonance plate512and the gas inlet plate511of the gas transportation device50are stacked on each other sequentially. Moreover, there is a gap g0between the resonance plate512and the outer frame522of the piezoelectric actuator52. In this embodiment, a filler (e.g. a conductive adhesive) is inserted into the gap g0. Consequently, the depth of the gap g0between the resonance plate512and the bulge521cof the suspension plate521can be maintained to guide the gas to flow more quickly. Moreover, due to the proper distance between the resonance plate512and the bulge521cof the suspension plate521, the contact interference is reduced and the generated noise is largely reduced. In some embodiments, the height of the outer frame522of the piezoelectric actuator52is increased, so that the gap is formed between the resonance plate512and the piezoelectric actuator52.

Please refer toFIG. 5A,FIG. 6AandFIGS. 9A to 9C. The gas collecting plate55comprises a recess550, a fiducial surface551, a gas-collecting chamber552and a perforation553. The recess550has a depth. Consequently, the second insulation plate532, the conducting plate54, the first insulation plate531, the piezoelectric actuator52, the resonance plate512and the gas inlet plate511are stacked on each other sequentially and accommodated within the recess550. The gas-collecting chamber552is concavely formed on a bottom surface of the recess550. The gas-collecting chamber552is in communication with the perforation553. Since the piezoelectric actuator52is located over the gas-collecting chamber552and sealing the gas-collecting chamber552from top, the gas transferred by the gas transportation device50is temporarily accumulated in the gas-collecting chamber552and discharged from the gas collecting plate55. Moreover, a window554is formed in a lateral side of the gas collecting plate55. The window554is in communication with the recess550. After the second insulation plate532, the conducting plate54, the first insulation plate531, the piezoelectric actuator52, the resonance plate512and the gas inlet plate511are stacked on each other sequentially and accommodated within the recess550of the gas collecting plate55to seal the gas-collecting chamber552, the conducting pin541of the conducting plate54and the conducting pin526of the piezoelectric actuator52are protruded out of the window554of the gas collecting plate55. Consequently, the conducting pins541and526can be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown).

Please refer toFIGS. 9A to 9Cagain. After the second insulation plate532, the conducting plate54, the first insulation plate531, the piezoelectric actuator52, the resonance plate512and the gas inlet plate511are stacked on each other sequentially and accommodated within the recess550of the gas collecting plate55to seal the gas-collecting chamber552, a convergence chamber for converging the gas is defined by the central aperture5120of the resonance plate512and the gas inlet plate511collaboratively. In addition, a temporary storage chamber56is formed between the resonance plate512and the piezoelectric actuator52for temporarily storing the gas. Through the central aperture5120of the resonance plate512, the temporary storage chamber56is in communication with the central cavity5111that is formed in the first surface511bof the gas inlet plate511. The peripheral regions of the temporary storage chamber56are in communication with the underlying gas-collecting chamber552through the vacant space525of the piezoelectric actuator52.

Please refer toFIG. 9A. When the gas transportation device50is enabled, the piezoelectric actuator52is actuated in response to an applied voltage. Consequently, the piezoelectric actuator52vibrates along a vertical direction in a reciprocating manner, while the brackets523are served as the fulcrums. Since the resonance plate512is light and thin, the resonance plate512vibrates along the vertical direction in the reciprocating manner because of the resonance of the piezoelectric actuator52. In other words, the movable part5121of the resonance plate512corresponding to the central cavity5111of the gas inlet plate511is reciprocated and subjected to a curvy deformation.

Please refer toFIG. 9B. After the gas is fed into the at least one inlet5110of the gas inlet plate511, the gas is transferred to the central cavity5111of the gas inlet plate511through the at least one convergence channel5112. Then, the gas is transferred through the central aperture5120of the resonance plate512, and introduced downwardly into the temporary storage chamber56. When the piezoelectric actuator52vibrates downwardly, the movable part5121of the resonance plate512is subjected to the curvy deformation because the movable part5121of the resonance plate512is pushed by the gas and vibrated in response to the piezoelectric actuator52. Consequently, the movable part5121of the resonance plate512vibrates downwardly and is in contact with the bulge521cof the suspension plate521of the piezoelectric actuator52. Meanwhile, the gap between the suspension plate521and the fixed part5122of the resonance plate512is not reduced. Due to the deformation of the resonance plate512, the volume of the temporary storage chamber56is shrunken and a middle communication space of the temporary storage chamber56is closed. Under this circumstance, the gas is pushed toward peripheral regions of the temporary storage chamber56. Consequently, the gas is transferred downwardly through the vacant space525of the piezoelectric actuator52.

Please refer toFIG. 9C. Then, the piezoelectric actuator52vibrates upwardly in response to the applied voltage. The movable part5121of the resonance plate512is subjected to the curvy deformation. Consequently, the volume of the temporary storage chamber56is also shrunken. Since the piezoelectric actuator52is ascended, the gas is continuously pushed toward peripheral regions of the temporary storage chamber56. Meanwhile, the gas is continuously fed into the at least one inlet5110of the gas inlet plate511, and transferred to and temporarily stored in the central cavity5111. Moreover, the gas in the temporary storage chamber56is transferred downwardly to the gas-collecting chamber552through the vacant space525of the piezoelectric actuator52, and finally the gas is discharged from the gas collecting plate55through the perforation553.

Then, the piezoelectric actuator52is vibrated downwardly. Consequently, the movable part5121of the resonance plate512is returned to the original position as shown inFIG. 9A. Under this circumstance, the gas in the central cavity5111is transferred to the temporary storage chamber56through the central aperture5120of the resonance plate512.

The steps of theFIGS. 9A to 9Care repeatedly done. Consequently, the action of transferring the gas by the gas transportation device50is achieved.

FIG. 10is a schematic exploded view illustrating the appearance of a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, the portable electronic device6comprises a casing61, a display panel62, a cushion63, an inflatable pad64and a gas transportation device65. The display panel62is coupled with the casing61. Moreover, the display panel62comprises a pliable display region621that is vertically movable. The cushion63is attached on a bottom surface of the pliable display region621. The inflatable pad64is attached on a bottom surface of the display panel62and covering the cushion63. The gas transportation device65is disposed within the casing10. Moreover, the gas transportation device65is in communication with the inflatable pad63through a communication pipe (not shown). For supporting the display panel62, the gas transportation device65transfers gas to the inflatable pad63so that the inflatable pad63is inflated and provides a supporting force to the display panel62. The portable electronic device6further comprises a sensing unit (not shown). When the sensing unit senses a touch, the sensing unit issues a first driving signal to the gas transportation device65. In response to the first driving signal, the gas transportation device65transfers more gas to the inflatable pad63to expand the inflatable pad63and make the inflatable pad63raise the cushion63. The raised cushion63raises the pliable display region621to be convex, thus imitating a physical key to be pressed.

In comparison with the first embodiment, the display panel62of this embodiment is distinguished, while the other components of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment and are not redundantly described herein. Similarly, at least one key611is embedded in at least one lateral side of the portable electronic device6, in which a gas bag (not shown) is located under the key611. The gas bag is in communication with the gas transportation device65through an additional communication pipe. When the gas bag is inflated by the gas transportation device65and expanded, the at least one key611is raised.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the portable electronic device comprising the cushion attached on the movable region of the flexible display panel or the pliable display region of the display panel. After the inflatable pad is inflated with a gas through the gas transportation device, the cushion is pushed upwardly by the expanded inflatable pad and raises the movable region of the flexible display panel or the pliable display region of the display panel, which forms a convex key for user to press, providing a tactile feeling similar to the conventional physical key. Since the portable electronic device of the present invention is not equipped with the physical key, the fabricating cost and the weight of the portable electronic device are reduced and the use life is prolonged. An additional advantage of the present invention is that the display range can extend to the bottom portion of the front surface of the smart phone because the movable region/pliable display region plays both the roles as the key and a part of the display.