Mechanical buttons and display devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical key, comprising: a strip-shaped elastic arm extending along a first direction, wherein the elastic arm is provided with two first connecting parts connected to a host housing at opposite ends of the first direction; the middle part of the elastic arm is an annular hollow structure, wherein an intermediate connecting piece is provided in the annular hollow structure, wherein in the thickness direction of the elastic arm, the intermediate connecting piece has a first part and a second part relative to each other, wherein a protrusion extending in a direction away from the second part is provided on a side of the first part away from the second part, wherein the second part is a first magnetic structure having magnetism; and further comprising a cover plate, wherein the cover plate contains a second magnetic structure that can be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of display product manufacturing, and in particular to a mechanical key and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Currently commonly used mechanical buttons, when there is enough space, use an extended plastic part to achieve an elastic effect by increasing the space design. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a mechanical key and a display device to solve the problem that the mechanical key occupies a large space.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present invention is: a mechanical key, comprising:

[0005] A strip-shaped elastic arm extending along a first direction, wherein two first connecting portions connected to the host housing are provided at opposite ends of the elastic arm in the first direction;

[0006] The middle part of the elastic arm is an annular hollow structure, and an intermediate connecting piece is arranged in the annular hollow structure. In the thickness direction of the elastic arm, the intermediate connecting piece has a first part and a second part opposite to each other, and a protrusion extending in a direction away from the second part is arranged on a side of the first part away from the second part, and the second part is a first magnetic structure having magnetism;

[0007] It also includes a cover plate, in which a second magnetic structure that can be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic structure is accommodated.

[0008] Optionally, the elastic arm is integrally injection molded with the first part and the second part.

[0009] Optionally, the first part is made of ABS plastic, the elastic arm is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, and the elastic arm and the first part are injection molded using a double-shot molding process.

[0010] Optionally, the first part includes a first connecting plate, the protrusion is provided on a side of the first connecting plate away from the second part, and a positioning column is provided on a side of the first connecting plate close to the second part.

[0011] Optionally, the second part includes a second connecting plate, which is provided with a positioning hole for the positioning column to pass through. After the positioning column passes through the positioning hole, the end surface of the positioning column away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane.

[0012] Optionally, the second part is made of iron, and the second magnetic structure is a magnet.

[0013] Optionally, the cover plate is a box structure with one end open, and the second magnetic structure is arranged in the box structure by adhesive.

[0014] Optionally, a snap-in groove is provided on the first connecting portion.

[0015] Optionally, the first connection portion is L-shaped, including a first sub-connection portion perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion parallel to the first direction, and the snap-in groove is provided on the second sub-connection portion.

[0016] Optionally, two first connecting portions are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle portion.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, comprising:

[0018] The mechanical buttons mentioned above;

[0019] The main body shell includes a first shell and a second shell arranged outside the first shell, the first shell is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the elastic arm, the mounting groove is provided with a second connecting portion that cooperates with the first connecting portion to fix the elastic arm, and a part of the cover plate is exposed outside the second shell;

[0020] It also includes a function control panel, on which a moving contact is arranged, and the moving contact is arranged facing the protrusion. The mechanical button is pressed, and under the elastic action of the elastic arm, the protrusion contacts the moving contact to trigger the corresponding function.

[0021] Optionally, a clamping groove is provided on the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion includes a clamping member capable of passing through the clamping groove.

[0022] Optionally, the first connection portion is L-shaped, including a first sub-connection portion perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion parallel to the first direction, and the clamping groove is provided on the second sub-connection portion;

[0023] The second connection portion includes an L-shaped groove corresponding to the first connection portion.

[0024] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the first connecting parts at both ends of the elastic arm are connected to the host shell, and the magnetic force of the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure are utilized to achieve fixation between the elastic arm and the cover plate, thereby saving space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1A schematic diagram showing the decomposition of a mechanical button in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the assembly of the elastic arm and the intermediate connecting member in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the second part of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the separation of the second magnetic structure and the cover plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the assembly of the second magnetic structure and the cover plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 A partial structural schematic diagram of a display device in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] 1 elastic arm; 21 first part; 22 second part; 3 second magnetic structure; 4 cover plate; 5 function control board; 11 first connection part; 101 snap-fit ​​groove; 102 first sub-connection part; 103 second sub-connection part; 12 annular hollow structure; 201 positioning column; 202 protrusion; 41 limit block; 31 second connection plate; 32 positioning hole; 10 first shell; 111 snap-fit ​​piece; 112 L-shaped groove; 10 first shell; 51 moving contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiment of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiment of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] In traditional technology, a mechanical button includes an elastic pressing body made of plastic material, which is connected to an extended plastic part through a hot melt process to form an integrated structure, and then fixed to the host housing through screws. A limiting structure must also be set on the extended plastic part, which requires sufficient space for assembly, thus limiting the size of the host.

[0035] refer to Figure 1-Figure 6 In order to solve the above technical problems, this embodiment provides a mechanical key, including:

[0036] Along the first direction (reference Figure 1 A strip-shaped elastic arm 1 extending in the middle X direction, wherein the elastic arm 1 is provided with two first connecting portions 11 connected to the main body housing at two opposite ends of the first direction;

[0037] The middle part of the elastic arm 1 is an annular hollow structure 12, and an intermediate connecting piece is arranged in the annular hollow structure 12. In the thickness direction of the elastic arm 1, the intermediate connecting piece has a first part 21 and a second part 22 opposite to each other. A protrusion 202 extending in a direction away from the second part 22 is arranged on a side of the first part 21 away from the second part 22, and the second part 22 is a first magnetic structure having magnetism;

[0038] It also includes a cover plate 4, in which a second magnetic structure 3 that can be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic structure is accommodated.

[0039] Compared with the conventional technology, the elastic arm 1 in the present embodiment is a strip structure extending along a first direction. The elastic arm 1 is stretched in the first direction, and the two ends of the elastic arm 1 are respectively connected to the host shell in a snap-fit ​​manner through the first connecting portion 11, thereby fixing the elastic arm 1 and playing a three-dimensional space limiting role. The intermediate connecting piece is arranged in the annular hollow structure 12 of the elastic arm 1, and the protrusion 202 is arranged in the middle of the first part 21. The annular hollow structure 12 limits the position of the intermediate connecting piece. Then, the magnetic force of the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure 3 is utilized to realize the stacking structure of the mechanical keys in the present embodiment, thereby reducing the space occupied by the mechanical keys.

[0040] In this embodiment, the elastic arm 1 is integrally injection molded with the first part 21 and the second part 22. However, this is not limiting. In this embodiment, the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure 3 are fixed together by magnetic adsorption, the first part 21 and the second part 22 as the first magnetic structure are an integral structure, and the first part 21, the second part 22 and the elastic arm 1 are an integral structure, which improves the connection stability between the elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 and the second part 22.

[0041] In some implementations of this embodiment, the first part 21 is made of ABS plastic, the elastic arm 1 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, and the elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 are injection molded using a double-shot molding process.

[0042] The pressing operation of the mechanical key needs to be achieved through the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 1, but if the elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 are both made of plastic, it will cause the problem of insufficient elasticity. If the elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 are both made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, it will cause the problem of insufficient strength. The elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 are to fix the first magnetic structure. If the strength is insufficient, the first magnetic structure may be easily separated, causing the mechanical key to be unusable. In this embodiment, an injection molding machine is used to adopt a double-shot molding process to injection mold the first part 21 made of ABS plastic and the elastic arm 1 made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer to form an integrated structure, which effectively ensures the strength and elastic deformation force of the mechanical key.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some implementations of this embodiment, the first part 21 includes a first connecting plate, the protrusion 202 is provided on the side of the first connecting plate away from the second part 22, and the positioning column 201 is provided on the side of the first connecting plate close to the second part 22.

[0044] In this embodiment, the protrusion 202 is located in the middle of the first portion 21 to ensure the accuracy of the pressing operation and avoid the occurrence of invalid pressing.

[0045] The positioning column 201 is used for positioning when the first part 21 and the second part 22 are assembled. The setting position and setting number of the positioning column 201 can be set according to actual needs. In some implementations of this embodiment, two positioning columns 201 are set, and in the first direction, the two positioning columns 201 are located on both sides of the protrusion 202.

[0046] refer to Figure 2and Figure 3 In some implementations of this embodiment, the second part 22 includes a second connecting plate 31, and the second connecting plate 31 is provided with a positioning hole 32 for the positioning column 201 to pass through. After the positioning column 201 passes through the positioning hole 32, the end surface of the positioning column 201 away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate 31 away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane, or after the positioning column 201 passes through the positioning hole 32, the positioning column 201 is located in the positioning hole 32.

[0047] The second part 22, as a first magnetic structure, needs to be fixedly connected to the second magnetic structure 3 through magnetic adsorption. If the positioning column 201 is exposed on the second connecting plate 31, it is easy to cause unstable connection or even invalid connection when connected to the second magnetic structure 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end face of the positioning column 201 away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate 31 away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane, ensuring that the first magnetic structure is in surface contact with the second magnetic structure 3 when connected, thereby ensuring the magnetic adsorption force between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure 3.

[0048] In this embodiment, the connection between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is achieved by pressing the positioning column 201 at high temperature using a hot melt machine. If the height of the positioning column 201 is too small, the connection strength between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, preferably, the end surface of the positioning column 201 away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate 31 away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane, so that the magnetic adsorption force between the second part 22 (that is, the first magnetic structure) and the second magnetic structure 3 is guaranteed while the connection strength between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is guaranteed, that is, the connection strength between the second part 22 and the second magnetic structure 3 is guaranteed.

[0049] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first part 21 and the second part 22 as the first magnetic structure are formed into an integral structure through a hot melt process. Before the hot melt process, the positioning column 201 of the first part 21 needs to be inserted into the positioning hole 32 of the second part 22 so that the two are positioned and assembled together. At this time, part of the positioning column 201 is exposed to the second part 22, that is, the end face of the positioning column 201 away from the first connecting plate is located on the side of the second connecting plate 31 away from the first part 21. The part of the positioning column 201 exposed to the second part 22 is hot-melt pressed by the hot melt process to fill the positioning hole 32 and the positioning column 201, the connection area between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is increased, and an interference fit is formed between the positioning hole 32 and the positioning column 201, so that after the first part 21 and the second part 22 form an integrated structure, the end face of the positioning column 201 away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate 31 away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane, and the connection strength between the first part 21 and the second part 22 is improved. In some implementation methods of this embodiment, after the first part 21 and the second part 22 are combined into one, the pulling force is greater than 2.0kgf, thereby ensuring the strength of the mechanical key.

[0050] It should be noted that the connection sequence between the elastic arm 1, the first part 21 and the second part 22 is not limited. For example, the elastic arm 1 and the first part 21 can be connected into an integral structure and then connected to the second part 22 by injection molding. Alternatively, the first part 21 and the second part 22 can be first formed into an integral structure by a hot melt process and then injection molded with the elastic arm 1 into an integral structure.

[0051] In this embodiment, for example, the second part 22 is made of iron, and the second magnetic structure 3 is a magnet.

[0052] In this embodiment, the second magnetic structure 3 is made of strong magnets such as N52H or N48H.

[0053] The materials of the second part 22 and the second magnetic structure 3 are not limited to those described above, as long as the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure 3 are connected by magnetic adsorption force. For example, the second part 22 and the second magnetic structure 3 can both be magnets. In this case, the second part 22 and the second magnetic structure 3 can be made of materials with opposite magnetic properties.

[0054] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5In some implementations of this embodiment, the cover plate 4 is a box structure with one end open, and the second magnetic structure 3 is arranged in the box structure by adhesive.

[0055] In order to avoid affecting the magnetic connection between the second magnetic structure 3 and the first magnetic structure, part of the second magnetic structure 3 is exposed from the box structure, or a side of the second magnetic structure 3 away from the bottom of the box structure is flush with the end face of the box structure.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cover plate 4 as an appearance part needs to ensure aesthetics. In some implementation methods, the bottom surface (ie, the appearance surface) of the cover plate 4 is in the shape of a strip, and both ends of the strip are rounded ends.

[0057] In this embodiment, the cover plate 4 is made of aluminum alloy through an aluminum extrusion process, and an oxide film is formed on the surface of the cover plate 4 after an anodic process.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second magnetic structure 3 is made of magnets. In order to reduce the difficulty of the process, the second magnetic structure 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped. A limiting structure is provided on the inner surface of the bottom of the cover plate 4 so that the second magnetic structure 3 is located in the middle of the cover plate 4.

[0059] In some embodiments, the limiting structure includes limiting blocks 41 symmetrically disposed at two ends of the cover plate 4 in the extension direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0060] In this embodiment, the adhesive is AB glue, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] In some implementations of this embodiment, a snap-in groove 101 is provided on the first connecting portion 11 .

[0062] When the mechanical button is assembled with the host housing, a hook is provided on the host housing, namely, a snap-fitting piece 111 matched with the snap-fitting slot 101 , which reduces the difficulty and saves space compared with the connection method in the traditional technology.

[0063] In some implementations of this embodiment, the first connection portion 11 is L-shaped, including a first sub-connection portion 102 perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion 103 parallel to the first direction, and the snap-in groove 101 is provided on the second sub-connection portion 103 .

[0064] The first connecting portion 11 is L-shaped, and an L-shaped groove 112 matching with the first connecting portion 11 is provided on the main body shell. The L-shaped first connecting portion 11 matches with the L-shaped groove 112 to realize the fixation and limitation of the elastic arm 1 in the first direction. The clamping of the clamping groove 101 and the clamping member 111 is superimposed, and under the dual effect, the connection stability of the elastic arm 1 is increased.

[0065] In some implementations of this embodiment, two first connection portions 11 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle portion.

[0066] The protrusion 202 that acts as a trigger is located in the middle of the first part 21, and the two first connecting parts 11 act as a connection and fixation. The two first connecting parts 11 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle to ensure that the protrusion 202 can be accurately acted on when the cover plate 4 is pressed.

[0067] refer to Figure 6 , an embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, comprising:

[0068] The mechanical buttons mentioned above;

[0069] The main body shell includes a first shell 10 and a second shell arranged outside the first shell 10, the first shell 10 is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the elastic arm 1, the mounting groove is provided with a second connecting portion that cooperates with the first connecting portion 11 to fix the elastic arm 1, and a part of the cover plate 4 is exposed outside the second shell;

[0070] It also includes a function control panel 5, on which a moving contact 51 is arranged. The moving contact 51 is arranged facing the protrusion 202. When the mechanical button is pressed, under the elastic action of the elastic arm 1, the protrusion 202 contacts the moving contact 51 to trigger the corresponding function.

[0071] The first connecting parts 11 at both ends of the elastic arm 1 are connected to the host housing, and the elastic arm 1 and the cover plate 4 are fixed by utilizing the magnetic force of the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure 3, thereby saving space.

[0072] In this embodiment, the function control board 5 is a PCB board, and a moving contact 51 is provided on the PCB board. Under the action of pressing force, the protrusion 202 moves in a direction close to the moving contact 51, so that the moving contact 51 moves to be electrically connected to the connecting pin on the PCB board, thereby triggering the corresponding function (for example, lighting up the display device).

[0073] In this embodiment, the gap between the moving contact 51 and the protruding portion 202 is 0.1-0.3 mm. In a specific implementation manner, the gap between the moving contact 51 and the protruding portion 202 is 0.2 mm to provide a pressing space.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first connection portion 11 is provided with a clamping slot 101, and the second connection portion includes a clamping member 111 that can pass through the clamping slot 101. The clamping member 111 cooperates with the clamping slot 101 to fix the mechanical button on the host housing.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first connection portion 11 is L-shaped, including a first sub-connection portion 102 perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion 103 parallel to the first direction, and the clamping groove 101 is provided on the second sub-connection portion 103;

[0076] The second connection portion includes an L-shaped groove corresponding to the first connection portion 11 .

[0077] The L-shaped first connecting portion 11 cooperates with the L-shaped groove to fix and limit the elastic arm 1 in the first direction. The combined clamping of the clamping groove 101 and the clamping member 111 increases the connection stability of the elastic arm 1 under the dual effects.

[0078] The display device may be any product or component with a display function, such as a liquid crystal television, a liquid crystal display, a digital photo frame, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, etc., wherein the display device further includes a flexible circuit board, a printed circuit board and a backplane.

[0079] It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanical button, It is characterized in that include: A strip-shaped elastic arm extending along a first direction, wherein two first connecting portions connected to the host housing are provided at opposite ends of the elastic arm in the first direction; The middle part of the elastic arm is an annular hollow structure, and an intermediate connecting piece is arranged in the annular hollow structure. In the thickness direction of the elastic arm, the intermediate connecting piece has a first part and a second part opposite to each other, and a protrusion extending in a direction away from the second part is arranged on a side of the first part away from the second part, and the second part is a first magnetic structure having magnetism; Also included is a cover plate, wherein the cover plate contains a second magnetic structure that can be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic structure; The first part comprises a first connecting plate, a side of the first connecting plate away from the second part is provided with the protruding portion, and a side of the first connecting plate close to the second part is provided with a positioning column; The protrusion is located in the middle of the first part; The second part includes a second connecting plate, which is provided with a positioning hole for the positioning column to pass through. After the positioning column passes through the positioning hole, the end surface of the positioning column away from the first connecting plate and the surface of the second connecting plate away from the first connecting plate are located in the same plane.

2. The mechanical key according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The elastic arm is integrally injection-molded with the first portion and the second portion.

3. The mechanical key according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first part is made of ABS plastic, the elastic arm is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, and the elastic arm and the first part are injection molded by a double-shot molding process.

4. The mechanical key according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The second part is made of iron, and the second magnetic structure is a magnet.

5. The mechanical key according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The cover plate is a box structure with one end open, and the second magnetic structure is arranged in the box structure by adhesive.

6. The mechanical key according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first connecting portion is provided with a clamping groove.

7. The mechanical key according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The first connection portion is L-shaped, and includes a first sub-connection portion perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion parallel to the first direction, and the clamping groove is arranged on the second sub-connection portion.

8. The mechanical key according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The two first connection parts are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle part.

9. A display device, It is characterized in that include: The mechanical key according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The main body shell includes a first shell and a second shell arranged outside the first shell, the first shell is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the elastic arm, the mounting groove is provided with a second connecting portion that cooperates with the first connecting portion to fix the elastic arm, and a part of the cover plate is exposed outside the second shell; It also includes a function control panel, on which a moving contact is arranged, and the moving contact is arranged facing the protrusion. The mechanical button is pressed, and under the elastic action of the elastic arm, the protrusion contacts the moving contact to trigger the corresponding function.

10. The display device according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The first connecting portion is provided with a clamping groove, and the second connecting portion includes a clamping member capable of passing through the clamping groove.

11. The display device according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The first connection portion is L-shaped, and includes a first sub-connection portion perpendicular to the first direction and a second sub-connection portion parallel to the first direction, and the clamping groove is provided on the second sub-connection portion; The second connection portion includes an L-shaped groove corresponding to the first connection portion.

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