Key assembly and mobile terminal including the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a key assembly and a mobile terminal including the same, wherein the key assembly includes a key body and a latch, the key body can be moved to a first position along a first direction and can be moved to a second position along a second direction, and the latch is used to limit the key body from moving from the first position to the first direction. When the key body is in the first position, the latch is engaged with the key body, and when the key body is in the second position, the latch can be withdrawn relative to the key body. Under normal conditions, the latch is engaged with the key body, and the key body is firmly fixed. When the key assembly needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to move the key body toward the second direction, the latch can be pulled out, and then the key body can be taken out. The disassembly and assembly process of the key body only requires movement along the first direction and the second direction, so no gap is required between the key body and the mounting hole of the shell, which is conducive to sealing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mobile terminals, and in particular to a key assembly and a mobile terminal comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] like Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown, the button 2' of the current mobile terminal is generally set in the button hole 11' of the shell 1', and the button 2' is fixed to the shell 1' through the card slot 12' on the shell 1' of the mobile terminal. This fixing method is relatively unstable and the button is easy to fall off. In addition, in order to facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the button, it is also necessary to leave an installation gap between the button 2' and the button hole 11' so that when the button 2' is withdrawn from the card slot 12', the button 2' will not interfere with the shell. However, in this way, external liquids, dust, etc. will enter the interior of the shell 1' through the installation gap, which will cause corrosion, short circuit and other defects of the internal components of the mobile terminal, affecting the performance and service life of the mobile terminal. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of the keys of the mobile terminal in the prior art, such as loose installation, inconvenient disassembly and poor sealing, and to provide a key assembly and a mobile terminal including the same.

[0004] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A key component, used in a mobile terminal, is characterized in that the key component comprises:

[0006] A key body, wherein the key body can move to a first position along a first direction and can move to a second position along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite;

[0007] A latch to limit the button body from moving from the first position toward the first direction;

[0008] Wherein, when the button body is in the first position, the latch is engaged with the button body, and when the button body is in the second position, the latch can be withdrawn relative to the button body.

[0009] In this solution, the key body is fixed firmly with a latch, and the key body is not easy to fall off. In normal use, the latch is engaged with the key body, and the key body is firmly fixed. When the key assembly needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to move the key body in the second direction, and the latch is disengaged from the key body. The latch can be pulled out, and then the key body can be taken out. The disassembly and assembly process of the key body only requires movement along the first direction and the second direction, so there is no need to leave a gap between the key body and the mounting hole of the shell, which is conducive to sealing.

[0010] Preferably, the button body has a limiting surface facing the first direction, and the latch is arranged opposite to the limiting surface.

[0011] In this solution, the latch can block the limiting surface in the first direction, so when the key body is located in the first position, it will not continue to move in the first direction.

[0012] Preferably, the latch includes a first protruding portion protruding toward the second direction, and when the key body is in the first position, the first protruding portion exceeds the limiting surface.

[0013] In this solution, the first protrusion can be engaged with the key body so that the latch is limited in the axial direction.

[0014] Preferably, the first protrusion is wedge-shaped, and the key body has a matching inclined surface matching with the first protrusion.

[0015] In this solution, the wedge-shaped first protrusion facilitates the user to pull out the latch. In addition, a design can be adopted in which, when the key body is in the second position, the first protrusion exceeds the limit surface, and force is applied to pull the latch outward. Since the first protrusion and the key body are connected by a wedge, the portion of the latch close to the first protrusion will be elastically deformed along the wedge surface, so the latch can still be pulled out; if no force is applied to the latch, the latch will not slide out by itself.

[0016] Preferably, the latch further includes a second protrusion, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the latch, and the limiting surface is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0017] In this solution, the second protrusion can prevent the latch from being inserted too much, so the first protrusion and the second protrusion jointly limit the position of the latch in the axial direction.

[0018] Preferably, the button body is provided with a limiting groove, the limiting surface is arranged in the limiting groove, and the latch is passed through the limiting groove.

[0019] In this solution, the limiting surface is a part of the wall surface of the limiting groove, and the latch can be engaged with the limiting groove, thereby limiting the key body.

[0020] Preferably, a connecting groove is provided at one end of the plug, and the connecting groove has a first wall surface facing the other end of the plug.

[0021] In this solution, the first wall surface can be used as a force application point for pulling out the latch. The user can use a tool (such as tweezers) to hook the first wall surface to pull out the latch, and the user can disassemble the latch more conveniently.

[0022] Preferably, a pressing column is disposed on the button body, and the pressing column extends toward the second direction.

[0023] In this solution, the end of the pressing column can be against the pot piece, and by pressing the key body, the pot piece can touch the pot piece, thereby sending a key signal. In addition, the pressing column can cooperate with the guide hole of the shell, so that the key body can only move in the first direction and the second direction.

[0024] Preferably, a sealing member is provided on the sleeve of the pressing post, and the sealing member is configured to enable the pressing post to be sealed with the housing of the mobile terminal.

[0025] In this solution, the seal seals the pressing column and the guide hole of the shell to prevent external dust, rainwater, etc. from entering the interior of the shell.

[0026] Preferably, a pressing column and a latch are disposed at both ends of the key body in the length direction.

[0027] In this solution, the button body is in the shape of a long strip, and a pressing column is provided at each end of the button body in the length direction, so that the button body has two key positions (for example, the button assembly is a volume key, and the two key positions are used to increase the volume and decrease the volume respectively). In order to avoid unevenness at both ends of the button body, a pin is provided at each end of the button body.

[0028] Preferably, the key body is provided with a sealing member, and the sealing member is configured to enable the key body to be sealed with a housing of the mobile terminal.

[0029] In this solution, a sealing member may be provided on the key body so that the key body is sealed with the housing to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing.

[0030] Preferably, the key assembly further comprises an elastic member, and the elastic member is used to provide the key body with the elastic force required for moving toward the first position.

[0031] In this solution, when an external force drives the key body to move from the first position to the second position, the elastic member is compressed, and after the external force is removed, the elastic member can push the key body to move to the first position. Moreover, the elastic member can overcome the problem that the key body is difficult to rebound to the first position due to the sealing member.

[0032] A mobile terminal includes a shell, wherein the mobile terminal also includes the key assembly as described above, the shell is provided with a key hole and a pin hole, the key body is inserted into the key hole, and the latch is inserted into the pin hole.

[0033] In this solution, the mobile terminal including the above-mentioned key assembly can be firmly connected to the key body, and the key body is not easy to fall off. Under normal use, the latch is engaged with the key body, and the key body is firmly fixed. When the key assembly needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to move the key body toward the second direction, and the latch is disengaged from the key body. The latch can be pulled out, and then the key body can be taken out, so the disassembly and assembly of the key body is relatively convenient. In addition, the disassembly and assembly process of the key body only requires movement along the first direction and the second direction, so there is no need to leave a gap between the key body and the mounting hole of the shell, which is conducive to sealing, thereby improving the stability and life of the mobile terminal operation.

[0034] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are: the key assembly and mobile terminal of the present invention can be firmly connected to the key body, and the key body is not easy to fall off. Under normal use, the latch is engaged with the key body, and the key body is firmly fixed. When the key assembly needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to move the key body toward the second direction, and the latch is disengaged from the key body. The latch can be pulled out, and then the key body can be taken out, so the disassembly and assembly of the key body is relatively convenient. In addition, the disassembly and assembly process of the key body only needs to move along the first direction and the second direction, so there is no need to leave a gap between the key body and the mounting hole of the shell, which is conducive to sealing, thereby improving the stability and life of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal of the present invention can prevent water from entering the interior of the mobile terminal from the key body, thereby improving the service life of the mobile terminal and avoiding malfunction of the mobile terminal after water enters, and the latch is easy to disassemble and easy to repair. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1a and Figure 1b The figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of buttons arranged on a mobile terminal in the prior art.

[0036] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of a key assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the exploded view of the key assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention (I).

[0039] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention (II).

[0040] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention (III).

[0041] Figure 7Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention (IV).

[0042] BACKGROUND ART DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0043] Housing 1′

[0044] Button hole 11′

[0045] Card slot 12'

[0046] Button 2′

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Button body 1

[0049] Limiting slot 11

[0050] Limiting surface 111

[0051] Latch 2

[0052] The first protrusion 21

[0053] The second protrusion 22

[0054] Connection slot 23

[0055] First wall surface 231

[0056] Shell 3

[0057] Pin hole 31

[0058] Accommodation slot 32

[0059] Guide hole 33

[0060] Mounting holes 34

[0061] Pot piece 4

[0062] Seal 5

[0063] Elastic Part 6

[0064] Press column 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0066] like Figures 2 to 7 As shown, this embodiment provides a key assembly and a mobile terminal including the same. Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the key assembly includes: a key body 1 and a latch 2. The key body 1 can move to a first position along a first direction and can move to a second position along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are opposite. Specifically, in some preferred embodiments, the key body 1 is arranged on the mobile terminal. Under normal conditions, the key body 1 is located at the first position. When an external force is applied to the key body 1, the key body 1 moves to the second position and can trigger a key signal. The latch 2 is used to limit the key body 1 from moving from the first position to the first direction to prevent the key body 1 from detaching from the mobile terminal.

[0067] When the key body 1 is in the first position, the latch 2 is engaged with the key body 1 (eg, Figure 4 As shown), when the key body 1 is in the second position, the latch 2 can be pulled away from the key body 1 (as shown Figure 5 As shown in the figure). Compared with the prior art that the key is connected to the housing 3, the present embodiment uses the latch 2 to fix the key body 1 more firmly, and the key body 1 is not easy to fall off. In normal use, the latch 2 is connected to the key body 1, the key body 1 is firmly fixed, and the latch 2 cannot be pulled out. When the key assembly needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to move the key body 1 in the second direction, and the latch 2 and the key body 1 are disconnected, and the latch 2 can be pulled out (as shown in the figure). Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the key body 1 is then taken out. The key body 1 only needs to be moved in the first direction and the second direction during disassembly and assembly, so no gap is required between the key body 1 and the mounting hole 34 of the housing 3, which is conducive to sealing. Moreover, the key body 1 can be installed outside the housing 3, so when disassembling and assembling the key body 1, the housing 3 does not need to be opened, and the disassembly and assembly is more convenient.

[0068] The key body 1 has a limiting surface 111 facing the first direction, and the latch 2 is arranged opposite to the limiting surface 111. The latch 2 can block the limiting surface 111 in the first direction, so when the key body 1 is in the first position, it will not continue to move in the first direction. In this embodiment, the housing 3 is provided with a pin hole 31, and the latch 2 can pass through the pin hole 31 in a cooperative manner and is arranged opposite to the limiting surface 111, wherein the extension direction of the pin hole 31 is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0069] Specifically in this embodiment, the key body 1 is provided with a limiting groove 11, a limiting surface 111 is arranged in the limiting groove 11, and the latch 2 is passed through the limiting groove 11. The limiting surface 111 is a part of the wall surface of the limiting groove 11, and the latch 2 can be engaged with the limiting groove 11, thereby limiting the key body 1.

[0070] The latch 2 includes a first protrusion 21 protruding toward the second direction, and when the key body 1 is in the first position, the first protrusion 21 exceeds the limiting surface 111. The first protrusion 21 can be engaged with the key body 1, so that the latch 2 is limited in the axial direction.

[0071] As a preferred embodiment, the first protrusion 21 is wedge-shaped, and the key body 1 has a matching inclined surface that matches the first protrusion 21. The wedge-shaped first protrusion 21 makes it easy for the user to pull out the latch 2. In addition, such a design can be adopted that when the key body 1 is in the second position, the first protrusion 21 exceeds the limit surface 111. At this time, force is applied to pull the latch 2 outward. Since the first protrusion 21 and the key body 1 are connected by a wedge, the part of the latch 2 close to the first protrusion 21 will undergo elastic deformation along the wedge surface, so the latch 2 can still be pulled out; if no force is applied to the latch 2, the latch 2 will not slide out by itself. This makes it more difficult for the latch 2 to fall off during the use of the mobile terminal, and the disassembly of the latch 2 is still relatively convenient.

[0072] The latch 2 further includes a second protrusion 22. The first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the latch 2, and the limiting surface 111 is located between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22. The second protrusion 22 can prevent the latch 2 from being inserted too much, so as to avoid the situation where the latch 2 falls into the housing 3 and cannot be pulled out. That is to say, the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 jointly limit the position of the latch 2 in its axial direction.

[0073] A connection groove 23 is provided at one end of the plug 2, and the connection groove 23 has a first wall surface 231 facing the other end of the plug 2. The first wall surface 231 can be used as a force application position for pulling out the plug 2. The user can use a tool (such as tweezers) to hook the first wall surface 231 to pull out the plug 2, and the user can more conveniently disassemble the plug 2. Specifically in this embodiment, the first protrusion 21 and the connection groove 23 are respectively located at the two ends of the plug 2.

[0074] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a pressing column 7 is provided on the key body 1, and the pressing column 7 extends in the second direction. The end of the pressing column 7 can be against the pot piece 4, and by pressing the key body 1, the pot piece 4 can be touched by the pot piece 4, thereby sending a key signal. Moreover, the pressing column 7 can cooperate with the guide hole 33 of the housing 3, so that the key body 1 can only move in the first direction and the second direction.

[0075] like Figure 7 As shown, the pressing column 7 is sleeved with a sealing member 5, which is configured to seal the pressing column 7 with the housing 3 of the mobile terminal. In this embodiment, the sealing member 5 is an annular silicone sealing ring, which can be connected to the pressing column 7 through an in-mold injection molding process. The sealing member 5 seals the pressing column 7 with the guide hole 33 of the housing 3 to prevent external dust, rainwater, etc. from entering the interior of the housing 3.

[0076] A pressing column 7 and a latch 2 are disposed at both ends of the key body 1 in the length direction. The key body 1 is in a long strip shape, and a pressing column 7 is disposed at each end of the key body 1 in the length direction, so that the key body 1 has two key positions (for example, the key assembly is a volume key, and the two key positions are used to increase the volume and decrease the volume respectively). In order to avoid unevenness at both ends of the key body 1, a latch 2 is disposed at each end of the key body 1.

[0077] A seal 5 may also be provided on the key body 1 (for example, the seal 5 is provided between the key body 1 and the housing 3 ), and the seal 5 is configured to seal the key body 1 and the housing 3 of the mobile terminal to prevent external impurities from entering the housing 3 .

[0078] The key assembly also includes an elastic member 6, which is used to provide the key body 1 with the elastic force required to move toward the first position. When an external force drives the key body 1 to move from the first position to the second position, the elastic member 6 is compressed. After the external force is removed, the elastic member 6 can push the key body 1 to move to the first position. Moreover, the elastic member 6 can overcome the problem that the key body 1 is difficult to rebound to the first position due to the sealing member 5. Figure 7 As shown, the housing 3 is provided with a receiving groove 32 , the key body 1 is at least partially disposed in the receiving groove 32 , and two ends of the elastic member 6 are respectively against the housing 3 and the bottom of the receiving groove 32 .

[0079] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for illustration and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key assembly for a mobile terminal, characterized in that: The button assembly comprises: A key body, wherein the key body can move to a first position along a first direction and can move to a second position along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite; A latch to limit the button body from moving from the first position toward the first direction; Wherein, when the button body is in the first position, the latch is engaged with the button body, and when the button body is in the second position, the latch can be withdrawn relative to the button body; The button body has a limiting surface facing the first direction, and the latch is arranged opposite to the limiting surface; The latch includes a first protrusion protruding toward the second direction, and when the key body is in the first position, the first protrusion exceeds the limit surface; The latch further comprises a second protrusion, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the latch, and the limiting surface is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion; The button body is provided with a limiting groove, the limiting surface is arranged in the limiting groove, and the latch is passed through the limiting groove.

2. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first protrusion is wedge-shaped, and the key body has a matching inclined surface matching with the first protrusion.

3. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting groove is provided at one end of the plug, and the connecting groove has a first wall surface facing the other end of the plug.

4. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressing column is disposed on the button body, and the pressing column extends toward the second direction.

5. The key assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sleeve of the pressing column is provided with a sealing member, and the sealing member is configured to enable the pressing column to be sealed with the housing of the mobile terminal.

6. The key assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A pressing column and a latch are disposed at both ends of the key body in the length direction.

7. The key assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key body is provided with a sealing member, and the sealing member is configured to enable the key body to be sealed with a housing of the mobile terminal.

8. The key assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The key assembly further includes an elastic member, and the elastic member is used to provide the key body with an elastic force required for moving toward the first position.

9. A mobile terminal, comprising a housing, characterized in that: The mobile terminal further comprises a key assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the shell is provided with a key hole and a pin hole, the key body is inserted into the key hole, and the pin is inserted into the pin hole.

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