A key assembly structure and an electronic device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic products, and particularly relates to a button assembly structure and an electronic device. The button assembly structure includes a middle frame, a button, a side key circuit board, and an elastic steel sheet assembly; the middle frame is formed with an installation groove, the side key circuit board is arranged on the first side wall of the installation groove, and the elastic steel sheet assembly is arranged between the second side wall of the installation groove and the side key circuit board in an interference fit manner; a first clamping groove hole is formed on the second side wall, and the elastic steel sheet assembly cooperates with the first clamping groove hole to clamp and fix the button; the first end of the button passes through the second side wall to protrude out of the middle frame, and the second end is used for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board. The button assembly structure provided by the present invention is simple and practical, the elastic steel sheet assembly can cooperate with the middle frame to limit and fix the button, and at the same time provides a movement margin and a resilience force for the movement of the button, which not only saves the cost of auxiliary materials, but also facilitates later maintenance, disassembly and assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic products, and particularly relates to a key assembly structure and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the times, in electronic products, glass or plastic back covers have gradually replaced metal back covers and become the mainstream. However, since glass back covers and plastics require a sufficient adhesive area, a sufficient width needs to be reserved in the middle frame part. Therefore, generally, for electronic products with glass back covers, the side keys are assembled from the outside to the inside. Common fixing methods are using two side key steel sheets + adhesive, or one side key steel sheet + adhesive. Both of these methods have drawbacks. On the one hand, an additional auxiliary material needs to be added, resulting in increased costs. On the other hand, after repeated disassembly and assembly, the adhesiveness will continuously weaken, leading to poor adhesion of the adhesive and inconvenience for maintenance.

[0003] How to simplify the key assembly method and provide a simple and practical key assembly structure is a problem that needs to be solved in the current production process of electronic products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention discloses a key assembly structure and an electronic device for providing a simple and practical key assembly method.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A key assembly structure includes a middle frame, a key, a side key circuit board, and an elastic steel sheet assembly;

[0007] The middle frame is formed with an installation groove, the side key circuit board is disposed on a first side wall of the installation groove, and the elastic steel sheet assembly is disposed between a second side wall of the installation groove and the side key circuit board in an interference fit manner;

[0008] A first card slot hole is formed on the second side wall, and the elastic steel sheet assembly cooperates with the first card slot hole to clamp and fix the key;

[0009] A first end of the key passes through the second side wall to protrude from the middle frame, and a second end is used for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board.

[0010] The side key circuit board of the above key assembly structure is disposed on the first side wall of the installation groove, and the first card slot hole partially limits and fixes the key; after the key is assembled with the installation groove of the middle frame, the elastic steel sheet assembly is installed in the installation groove and is in interference fit with the second side wall of the installation groove and the side key circuit board. Due to the certain pre-tightening force of the elastic steel sheet assembly, the elastic steel sheet assembly cooperates with the first card slot hole to limit and fix the key; when the key moves, the elastic steel sheet assembly can provide a movement margin and a resilience force for the movement of the key. It can be seen that the key assembly structure provided by the present invention is simple and practical, and the elastic steel sheet assembly can cooperate with the middle frame to limit and fix the key, and at the same time provide a movement margin and a resilience force for the movement of the key, which not only saves the cost of auxiliary materials, but also facilitates later maintenance, disassembly and assembly.

[0011] Optionally, the key includes a key body and a contact for electrically connecting the side key circuit board;

[0012] One end of the key body forms a pressing portion, and the other end forms a connecting portion. The pressing portion is used to pass through the second side wall and protrude from the middle frame, and the contact is disposed on a side of the connecting portion facing the side key circuit board.

[0013] Optionally, along the extending direction of the installation groove, a first boss is formed on one side of the key body, and a second boss is formed on the other side;

[0014] The first boss protrudes from the pressing portion and forms a first card surface facing the pressing portion for cooperating with the first card slot hole;

[0015] The second boss forms a second card surface facing the pressing portion for cooperating with the elastic steel sheet assembly; the projection of the key body on the side key circuit board covers the projection of the second boss on the side key circuit board.

[0016] Optionally, the elastic steel sheet assembly includes a base sheet and an elastic sheet;

[0017] The base sheet is used to cooperate with the second side wall of the installation groove in a parallel attachment manner, and a second card slot hole for cooperating with the key is formed at the bottom of the base sheet;

[0018] The elastic sheet is integrally formed at the bottom of the base sheet and bends and extends away from the base sheet to form a groove between the elastic sheet and the base sheet, and a side of the elastic sheet facing away from the base sheet is used to cooperate with the side key circuit board.

[0019] Optionally, a convex bump is formed on a side of the elastic sheet for cooperating with the side key circuit board.

[0020] Optionally, the convex bump and the elastic sheet are in smooth transition.

[0021] Optionally, a first bend extending towards the side key circuit board is formed on the top of the substrate, and the first bend is perpendicular to the substrate.

[0022] Optionally, a second bend extending towards the side key circuit board is formed on the bottom of the substrate, and the second bend is perpendicular to the substrate.

[0023] An electronic device includes a device body and any one of the key assembly structures provided by the above technical solutions;

[0024] The device body is installed on the middle frame, and the side key circuit board is electrically connected to the device body.

[0025] The above electronic device includes the above key assembly structure, can achieve all the beneficial effects of the key assembly structure, and realizes simple and stable key assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is an exploded structural view of a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a structural view of a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention when the key is not installed in the middle frame during assembly;

[0028] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 an enlarged view of A in

[0029] Figure 4 It is a structural view of a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention when the key is installed in the middle frame and the elastic steel sheet assembly is not assembled during assembly;

[0030] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 an enlarged view of B in

[0031] Figure 6 It is a structural view of a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention after assembly is completed;

[0032] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention after assembly is completed;

[0033] Figure 8 It is a structural view of an elastic steel sheet assembly in a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 It is a structural view of a key in a key assembly structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a key assembly structure, which includes a middle frame 1, a key 2, a side key circuit board 3, and an elastic steel sheet assembly 4; the middle frame 1 is formed with an installation groove, the side key circuit board 3 is disposed on the first side wall 11 of the installation groove, and the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is disposed between the second side wall 12 of the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3 in an interference fit manner; a first card slot hole 122 is formed on the second side wall 12, and the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 cooperates with the first card slot hole 122 to clamp and fix the key 2; the first end of the key 2 passes through the second side wall 12 and protrudes out of the middle frame 1, and the second end is used for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board 3.

[0037] In an electronic device, the middle frame 1 is used to be installed on the side of the electronic device body in cooperation to play a role of support and fixation. Generally, the keys 2 of the electronic device are disposed on the side of the device body, such as volume keys, power keys, and the like.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figures 2 to 5 shown, the installation groove of the middle frame 1 is formed at the edge portion of the middle frame 1. The key 2 is provided with a through hole 121 corresponding to the first side wall 11 of the installation groove, so that the first end of the key 2 passes through the through hole 121 and is located outside the middle frame 1 for easy pressing. The through hole 121 limits that the key 2 can only be located in the installation groove along the second end for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board 3. And a first card slot hole 122 is formed on the second side wall 12, and the part of the key 2 between outside the middle frame 1 and inside the installation groove is limited and fixed by the first card slot hole 122. When the key 2 works, the key 2 moves in a direction close to or away from the side key circuit board 3, and this movement direction is set as the first direction.

[0039] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is disposed between the second side wall 12 of the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3. When the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is installed into the installation groove, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is extruded along the first direction and is in interference fit with the second side wall 12 of the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3 to form a certain pre-tightening force, so as to be fastened in the installation groove. In a static state, the key 2 is limited and fixed under the combined action of the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 and the first card slot hole 122.

[0040] When the button 2 is pressed and moves along the first direction to approach the side key circuit board 3, the button 2 drives the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 to compress and accumulate elastic force until the second end of the button 2 contacts the side key circuit board 3 to achieve electrical connection. When the external force is removed, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 restores its shape and pushes the button 2 back to its original position.

[0041] In summary, the side key circuit board 3 of the key assembly structure provided in the embodiment of the present invention is arranged on the first side wall 11 of the mounting slot, and the first slot hole 122 partially limits and fixes the key 2; after the key 2 is matched with the mounting slot of the middle frame 1, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is installed in the mounting slot and interference fits with the second side wall 12 of the mounting slot and the side key circuit board 3. Since the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 has a certain pre-tightening force, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 cooperates with the first slot hole 122 to limit and fix the key 2; when the key 2 is actuated, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 can provide a movable margin and resilience for the movement of the key 2.

[0042] It can be seen that the button assembly structure provided in the embodiment of the present invention is simple in structure and practical and convenient. The elastic steel sheet component 4 can cooperate with the middle frame 1 to achieve limited fixation of the button 2, while providing activity margin and resilience for the action of the button 2, which not only saves the cost of auxiliary materials, but also facilitates later maintenance and disassembly and assembly.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, Figure 9 As shown, the key 2 includes a key body 21 and a contact 22, wherein the first end of the key body 21 forms a pressing portion, and the other end forms a connecting portion, the pressing portion is used to pass through the second side wall 12 and extend out of the middle frame 1, and the contact 22 is arranged on the side of the connecting portion facing the side key circuit board 3.

[0044] When the button 2 is assembled, the pressing portion of the button body 21 matches the through hole 121 on the second side wall 12 of the installation slot and the pressing portion partially protrudes outside the middle frame 1, making it convenient to press the button 2.

[0045] The pressing portion of the key body 21 can pass through the through hole 121, that is, the pressing portion matches the through hole 121. When the key 2 moves along the first direction, the pressing portion of the key body 21 and the through hole 121 move relative to each other along the first direction. At the same time, the first slot hole 122 limits the key body 21 perpendicular to the first direction, and the first slot hole 122 forms a structure to prevent the key body 21 from escaping from the first slot hole 122. When the portion of the key body 21 located in the installation slot is fastened by the elastic steel sheet assembly 4, under the joint action of the installation slot and the elastic steel sheet assembly 4, the key 2 in an unstressed state is limited and fixed, and will not loosen.

[0046] Along the extension direction of the installation groove, such as Figure 9As shown, a first boss 211 is formed on one side of the key 2, and a second boss 212 is formed on the other side; the first boss 211 protrudes from the pressing part and forms a first clamping surface M facing the pressing part for cooperating with the first slot hole 122; the second boss 212 forms a second clamping surface N facing the pressing part for cooperating with the steel sheet elastic component, and the projection of the pressing part on the side key circuit board 3 covers the projection of the second boss 212 on the side key circuit board 3.

[0047] The first boss 211 and the second boss 212 are respectively located on opposite sides of the key body 21. As Figure 9 shown, when the key 2 is assembled, the first clamping surface of the first boss 211 is in surface contact with the first slot hole 122, and the first slot hole 122 can provide a force in the direction of the side key circuit board 3 for the first clamping surface to prevent the key body 21 from disengaging from the first slot hole 122; the second clamping surface of the second boss 212 is used for surface contact with the elastic steel sheet component 4. There is a groove between the second boss 212 and the pressing part. The surface of the second boss 212 facing the pressing part forms the second clamping surface, and the projection of the pressing part on the side key circuit board 3 covers the projection of the second boss 212 on the side key circuit board 3, that is, the second boss 212 is shorter than the pressing part in the extending direction of the installation groove, showing a retracted effect.

[0048] The above structures of the first boss 211 and the second boss 212 facilitate the assembly of the entire key 2. Now, the assembly process of the key assembly structure provided by the present invention will be introduced in detail. First, as Figures 2 to 3 shown, the key 2 is installed obliquely. The side of the key 2 provided with the first protrusion passes through the through hole 121 and enters the installation groove of the middle frame 1, so that the first protrusion is caught by the first slot hole 122 of the installation groove; secondly, the side of the key 2 provided with the second protrusion passes through the through hole 121. Since the second boss 212 is retracted compared with the pressing part, it can easily pass through the through hole 121. As Figures 4 to 5 shown, after the key 2 is assembled with the second side wall 12 of the installation groove, the elastic steel sheet component 4 is pressed into the space between the second side wall 12 of the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3 along the installation groove, and the elastic steel sheet component 4 is in surface contact with the second clamping surface of the second protrusion of the key 2 to limit and fix the key 2, while the elastic steel sheet component 4 is arranged between the first side wall 11 of the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3 in an interference fit manner and is fixed by its own elastic force to achieve the assembly state shown in the figure.

[0049] It should be noted that the position structures of the first boss 211 and the second boss 212 and the entire key 2 in the extending direction of the installation groove need to be adjusted and coordinated in actual production so that the key 2 can be correctly assembled. Taking the figure as an example, the first boss 211 is close to the pressing part of the key body 21, the second boss 212 is close to the connecting part of the key body 21, and there is a distance between the first boss 211 and the second boss 212 along the first direction.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 includes a substrate 41 and an elastic sheet 42; wherein, the substrate 41 is used to cooperate with the second side wall 12 of the installation groove in a parallel attachment manner, and a second card slot hole for cooperating with the key 2 is formed at the bottom of the substrate 41; the elastic sheet 42 is integrally formed at the bottom of the substrate 41 and bends and extends away from the substrate 41 to form a groove between the elastic sheet 42 and the substrate 41, and the side of the elastic sheet 42 facing away from the substrate 41 is used to cooperate with the side key circuit board 3.

[0051] As Figure 7 shown, when assembled, the substrate 41 is attached to the second side wall 12 of the installation groove, and the second card slot hole is stuck on the key body 21, so that the second card surface on the key body 21 is in surface fit with the surface of the substrate 41 facing the second side wall 12, and the substrate 41 provides a force in the direction away from the side key circuit board 3 to the key 2. At this time, the first card surface on the key body 21 is in surface fit with the first card slot hole 122, the second card surface is in surface fit with the substrate 41, and the first card slot hole 122 and the substrate 41 cooperate to fix the key 2.

[0052] It should be noted that the top of the substrate 41 refers to the end of the substrate 41 away from the bottom of the installation groove, and correspondingly, the bottom refers to the end close to the bottom of the installation groove.

[0053] The bottom of the substrate 41 has an elastic sheet 42 with an arc-shaped bend. When the key 2 moves, due to the limitation of the first card slot hole 122, the key 2 cannot move in the direction away from the side key circuit board 3; when the key 2 is pressed, the key 2 needs to move in the direction close to the side key circuit board 3. The first card surface of the key 2 leaves the first card slot hole 122, and the second card surface of the key 2 is in surface fit with the substrate 41. The key 2 applies a force in the direction of the side key circuit board 3 to the substrate 41. Due to the existence of the elastic sheet 42, the substrate 41 approaches the side key circuit board 3, and the elastic sheet 42 can be compressed so that the contact 22 of the key 2 contacts the side key circuit board 3 to achieve electrical connection; when the external force is removed, the elastic sheet 42 elastically releases and pushes the substrate 41 to move in the direction away from the side key circuit board 3, and the substrate 41 pushes the key 2 to return to its original position.

[0054] In order to better achieve the interference fit between the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 and the installation groove and the side key circuit board 3, a convex bump 421 is formed on the side of the elastic sheet 42 for cooperating with the side key circuit board 3. The convex bump 421 protrudes outward toward the side key circuit board 3 to present an interference fit state with the side key circuit board 3 after assembly.

[0055] Further, when the key assembly structure provided in this embodiment is installed, the key 2 is installed first, and then the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 is pressed into the installation groove. To facilitate pressing the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 into the installation groove and ensure that the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 slides down evenly, there is a smooth transition between the convex hull 421 and the elastic sheet 42. In addition, this structure can effectively prevent the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 from scratching the side key circuit board 3 when pressed.

[0056] As Figure 8 shown, it is preferred that at least two elastic sheets 42 are provided and are arranged near both ends in the length direction of the entire elastic steel sheet assembly 4 to achieve stable assembly on the basis of a simplified structure.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, a first bending 411 extending towards the side key circuit board 3 is formed at the top of the substrate 41, and the first bending 411 is perpendicular to the substrate 41. The first bending 411 can improve the strength of the substrate 41 and ensure the stability and durability of the assembly structure.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, a second bending 412 extending towards the side key circuit board 3 is formed at the bottom of the substrate 41, and the second bending 412 is also perpendicular to the substrate 41. The second bending 412 is used to improve the stability of the installation process of the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 and prevent the elastic steel sheet assembly 4 from rotating due to the pressing force during the assembly process, ensuring the smooth progress of the assembly process.

[0059] As Figure 8 shown, the first bending 411 at the top of the substrate 41 is arranged along the length direction of the substrate 41, and a notch is provided at a specific position of the first bending 411 for matching other assembly structures. The second bending 412 at the bottom of the substrate 41 is spaced from the second card slot hole and the elastic sheet 42. Moreover, at the bottom of both ends in the length direction of the substrate 41, no second bending 412 is formed and it protrudes from the bottom of the second bending 412. During installation, the bottom of both ends in the length direction of the substrate 41 contacts the bottom of the installation groove, and there is a certain gap between the second bending 412 and the bottom of the installation groove.

[0060] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also provides an electronic device, including a device body and any one of the key assembly structures provided in the above embodiments; wherein, the device body is installed in the middle frame 1, and the side key circuit board 3 is electrically connected to the device body.

[0061] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention also intends to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A key assembly structure, characterized in that, Comprising: A middle frame, a button, a side key circuit board, and an elastic steel sheet assembly; The middle frame is formed with a mounting groove, the side key circuit board is disposed on a first side wall of the mounting groove, and the elastic steel sheet assembly is disposed between a second side wall of the mounting groove and the side key circuit board in an interference fit manner; A first card slot hole is formed on the second side wall, and the elastic steel sheet assembly cooperates with the first card slot hole to clamp and fix the button; A first end of the button passes through the second side wall to protrude from the middle frame, and a second end is used for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board; The button includes a button body and a contact for electrically connecting to the side key circuit board; One end of the button body forms a pressing portion, and the other end forms a connecting portion. The pressing portion is used to pass through the second side wall and protrude from the middle frame, and the contact is disposed on a side of the connecting portion facing the side key circuit board; Along the extending direction of the mounting groove, a first boss is formed on one side of the button body, and a second boss is formed on the other side; The first boss protrudes from the pressing portion and forms a first card face facing the pressing portion for cooperating with the first card slot hole; The second boss forms a second card face facing the pressing portion for cooperating with the elastic steel sheet assembly; the projection of the button body on the side key circuit board covers the projection of the second boss on the side key circuit board.

2. The key assembly structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic steel sheet assembly includes a base sheet and an elastic sheet; The base sheet is used to cooperate with the second side wall of the mounting groove in a parallel attachment manner, and a second card slot hole for cooperating with the button is formed at the bottom of the base sheet; The elastic sheet is integrally formed at the bottom of the base sheet and bends and extends away from the base sheet to form a groove between the elastic sheet and the base sheet, and a side of the elastic sheet facing away from the base sheet is used to cooperate with the side key circuit board.

3. The key assembly structure according to claim 2, characterized in that A convex bump is formed on a side of the elastic sheet for cooperating with the side key circuit board.

4. The key assembly structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, A smooth transition is formed between the convex bump and the elastic sheet.

5. The key assembly structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, A first bending extending towards the side key circuit board is formed at the top of the base sheet, and the first bending is perpendicular to the base sheet.

6. The key assembly structure according to claim 2, wherein, A second bending extending towards the side key circuit board is formed at the bottom of the base sheet, and the second bending is perpendicular to the base sheet.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that, Including a device body and a button assembly structure according to any one of claims 1-6; The device body is mounted on the middle frame, and the side key circuit board is electrically connected to the device body.

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