Key, key device and electronic device

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a key, a key device, and an electronic device. The key includes a main body, which guides light from a light-emitting element on one side from a light incident portion to a light emitting portion on the other side; the light incident portion has a convex surface protruding toward the light-emitting element, and the surface area of ​​the light incident portion is larger than the surface area of ​​the light emitting portion. As a result, light is converged into the range of the light emitting portion through the interior of the main body, which can reduce light loss and improve the display quality of the key, and even when the key is tilted, it can ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic products, and in particular to a key, a key device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] At present, buttons have been widely used in electronic products. For example, electronic products such as timers or counters are sometimes equipped with some buttons, which can transmit light from light-emitting elements (such as LEDs) to indicate certain information or display certain content.

[0003] Reference 1: JP2017123256A

[0004] It should be noted that the above introduction to the background technology is only for the convenience of providing a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the present application and facilitating the understanding of those skilled in the art. It cannot be considered that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art simply because they are described in the background technology section of the present application. Summary of the invention

[0005] However, the inventors have discovered that: in current keys, light from the light-emitting element is generally reflected or transmitted through the light-guiding area before reaching the exit area (display area); in certain scenarios, such as when the key is tilted, the light is blocked before reaching the exit area, causing changes in the display brightness, which can easily lead to erroneous indications or degradation of the display effect.

[0006] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a key, a key device and an electronic device. It is expected to improve the display quality of the key, and ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced even when the key is tilted.

[0007] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a key is provided, including:

[0008] A main body having a light incident portion on a first surface on one side and a light exit portion on a second surface on the other side;

[0009] Wherein, the main body guides the light from the light-emitting element on one side of the key from the light incident portion to the light exit portion on the other side of the key; the light incident portion has a convex surface protruding toward the light-emitting element, and the surface area of ​​the light incident portion is larger than the surface area of ​​the light exit portion.

[0010] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a button device is provided, comprising a plurality of buttons as described above, wherein the plurality of buttons are arranged side by side and connected by a connecting component; the button device is integrally formed of transparent rubber.

[0011] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an electronic device, including:

[0012] one or more light emitting elements disposed on the circuit board; and

[0013] The key or key device as described above; wherein each key is configured with at least one of the light-emitting elements.

[0014] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiment of the present application is that the main body of the key can guide the light from the light-emitting element on one side from the light incident part to the light exit part on the other side; the light incident part has a convex surface protruding toward the light-emitting element, and the surface area of ​​the light incident part is larger than the surface area of ​​the light exit part. As a result, the light is gathered into the range of the light exit part through the inside of the main body, which can reduce light loss and improve the display quality of the key, and ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced even when the key is tilted.

[0015] With reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, the specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, indicating the way in which the principles of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited in scope. Within the scope of the spirit and clauses of the attached claims, the embodiments of the present application include many modifications, variations and equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The included drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application, which constitute a part of the specification, are used to illustrate the implementation methods of the present application, and together with the text description, explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a key device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a key device of ;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a key device of ;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a key device of ;

[0021] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 6 It is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the key of the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of the present application will become apparent through the following description. In the specification and the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are specifically disclosed, which show some embodiments in which the principles of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the present application includes all modifications, variations and equivalents falling within the scope of the attached claims.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish different elements from the title, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or time order of these elements, etc., and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. The terms "including", "having", etc. refer to the existence of the stated features, elements, components or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components or components.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present application, the singular forms "a", "the", etc. may include plural forms and should be broadly understood as "a kind" or "a type" rather than being limited to the meaning of "one"; in addition, the term "said" should be understood to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term "according to" should be understood to mean "at least in part according to...", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0026] In addition, in the following description of this application, for the convenience of explanation, the side of the operating portion or the light emitting portion is referred to as the "upper side" or "upper side", and the side of the light incident portion or the light emitting element is referred to as the "lower side" or "lower side". However, it is worth noting that these are only for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the key or key device during manufacture and use.

[0027] The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Embodiments of the first aspect

[0029] The embodiments of the present application provide a button and a button device (button group).

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a key device according to an embodiment of the present application, showing the key device as viewed from the side. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a key device of , showing the key device as viewed from above. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of a key device of , showing the key device as viewed from below.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the key device 100 includes a plurality of keys 101 , which are arranged side by side and connected by a connecting component 102 . Figures 1 to 3 For simplicity, a key 101 is used as an example for reference numerals. The key 101 may include: a main body 1011.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the first surface 10111 of the main body 1011 on one side (lower side) has a light incident portion 201; Figure 2 As shown, the main body 1011 has a light emitting portion (or may be referred to as a display portion) 202 on the second surface 10112 on the other side (upper side).

[0033] In some embodiments, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the key 101 may further include: a first supporting portion 1012 and a second supporting portion 1013 arranged in parallel. Figure 1 As shown, the main body 1011 is on the first support part 1012 and the second support part 1013 , but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0034] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the main body 1011 also has a first operating portion 203 (eg, Figure 2 "+" as shown) and the second operation part 204 (eg Figure 2 The light emitting portion 202 is between the first operating portion 203 and the second operating portion 204. Figure 3 As shown, the light incident portion 201 is between the first supporting portion 1012 and the second supporting portion 1013 .

[0035] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of the key device of the embodiment of the present application, showing the key device viewed from an oblique bottom. Figure 4 As shown, the main body 1011 has a light incident portion 201 on a first surface 10111 on one side (lower side), and the light incident portion 201 has a convex surface 2011 .

[0036] In some embodiments, the button device 100 can be integrally formed of transparent rubber. For example, it can be made of transparent silicone rubber. In addition, for a certain button 101 (for example, including a main body 1011, a first support portion 1012, and a second support portion 1013), the button 101 can also be integrally formed of transparent rubber.

[0037] Thus, by integrally molding the transparent rubber, the product structure and production process can be simplified, the cost can be reduced and the key quality can be improved. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and other materials can also be used, for example. In addition, the key device of the embodiment of the present application is not limited to an integrally molded structure, and a split structure can also be used; in addition, it is not limited to transparent rubber, and other transparent materials can also be used, for example.

[0038] In some embodiments, a key made of a transparent material may be coated, for example, the surface other than the light incident portion 201 and the light exit portion 202 may be coated with an opaque material. Alternatively, the entire surface of the key may be coated with a color, and then a laser may be used to remove the partial coating to form a transparent window (for example, the light incident portion 201 and the light exit portion 202). Thus, a key or key device may be obtained with a simple operation, and the integrally formed key is not easily damaged, which can prolong the service life of the key or key device.

[0039] It is worth noting that Figures 1 to 4 The key device of the present application is only schematically described, but the present application is not limited thereto; for example, other components or devices may also be provided, and the details may be referred to the relevant technology, and the description is omitted here. Figures 1 to 4 For components or elements not specifically specified, reference may be made to the relevant technology, and this application does not limit this.

[0040] also, Figures 1 to 4 The key device includes 6 keys as an example, but the present application is not limited thereto; the number of keys in the key device may be one or more. The following description will be made using one key as an example, and the light emitting element in the embodiment of the present application is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0041] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a key according to an embodiment of the present application, showing the key guiding light under normal circumstances. Figure 5 As shown, the main body 1011 can guide the light from the light emitting element 501 on one side (lower side) of the key 101 from the light incident portion 201 to the light emitting portion 202 on the other side (upper side) of the key 101 .

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the light incident portion 201 has a convex surface 2011 protruding toward the light emitting element 501, and the surface area of ​​the light incident portion 201 is greater than the surface area of ​​the light emitting portion 202. The light from the light emitting element 501 irradiated to the convex surface 2011 can be refracted and can be gathered into the range of the light emitting portion 202 through the interior of the main body 1011.

[0043] Thus, at least part of the light from the light emitting element is refracted in the visible light range by the convex optical structure, thereby effectively reducing light loss. The light is gathered into the range of the light emitting portion through the interior of the main body, which can improve the display quality of the key and ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced even when the key is tilted.

[0044] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key according to an embodiment of the present application, showing the key guiding light when tilted. Figure 6 As shown, the key 101 is deformed when receiving pressure from the first operating portion 203 or the second operating portion 204 , thereby causing the key 101 to tilt and the light incident portion 201 to be displaced.

[0045] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the light incident portion 201 is configured such that, when the key 101 is deformed by pressure, the light from the center of the light emitting element 501 and irradiated in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting element 501 can fall within the range of the convex surface 2011. Since the light from the center of the light emitting element has the highest brightness, the light there falls into the light incident portion 201 and is refracted to the light emitting portion, which can reduce light loss, thereby ensuring the brightness of the display area.

[0046] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the maximum angle at which the key 101 can be tilted is θ. In this case, the light emitted from the center of the light emitting element 501 and irradiated in the vertical direction (such as Figure 6 601 in FIG. 1 ) still falls within the range of the convex surface 2011 (as shown by point A).

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, even when the key is tilted, light from the center of the light emitting element 501 can be refracted by the convex surface 2011 and guided inside the main body 1011 and output from the light emitting portion 202 of the main body 1011 .

[0048] Therefore, even when the key is tilted, light can be gathered into the range of the light emitting portion through the interior of the main body, which can improve the display quality of the key and ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced due to changes in the tilt angle.

[0049] The above embodiments are merely exemplary of the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications may be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments may be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments may be combined.

[0050] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the main body of the key can guide the light from the light-emitting element on one side from the light incident part to the light exit part on the other side; the light incident part has a convex surface protruding toward the light-emitting element, and the surface area of ​​the light incident part is larger than the surface area of ​​the light exit part. As a result, the light is gathered into the range of the light exit part through the inside of the main body, which can reduce light loss and improve the display quality of the key, and ensure that the display brightness and uniformity will not be reduced even when the key is tilted.

[0051] Embodiments of the second aspect

[0052] The second aspect of the present application provides an electronic device having the key or key device described in the first aspect of the embodiment. Since the structure of the key or key device has been described in detail in the first aspect of the embodiment, its content is incorporated here and the description is omitted here.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present application, the electronic device may be any device provided with a button or a button device, such as a timer, a counter, a switch, an indicator light, a display screen, and the like.

[0054] The above embodiments are merely exemplary of the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications may be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments may be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments may be combined.

[0055] The present application is described above in conjunction with specific implementation methods, but it should be clear to those skilled in the art that these descriptions are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application based on the spirit and principles of the present application, and these modifications and variations are also within the scope of the present application.

[0056] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many features and advantages of these embodiments are clear from this detailed description, and therefore the appended claims are intended to cover all such features and advantages of these embodiments that fall within their true spirit and scope. In addition, since many modifications and variations are easily conceivable to those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present application are not intended to be limited to the precise structures and operations illustrated and described, but all suitable modifications, variations, and equivalents that fall within their scope may be covered.

Claims

1. A key, characterized in that: The buttons include: A main body having a light incident portion on a first surface on one side and a light exit portion on a second surface on the other side; The main body guides the light from the light-emitting element on one side of the key from the light incident portion to the light emitting portion on the other side of the key; the light incident portion has a convex surface protruding toward the light-emitting element, and the surface area of ​​the light incident portion is larger than the surface area of ​​the light emitting portion. The main body also has a first operating part and a second operating part for receiving user operations on the other side of the button; the light emitting part is between the first operating part and the second operating part, The key is deformed when receiving pressure from the first operating portion or the second operating portion, so that the key is tilted and the light incident portion is displaced.

2. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key further includes: a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion which are arranged in parallel; the main body is on the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, and the light incident portion is between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

3. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light from the light emitting element irradiated onto the convex surface is refracted and collected into the range of the light emitting portion through the inside of the main body.

4. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light incident portion is configured such that, when the key is deformed by pressure, light emitted from the center of the light emitting element in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting element can fall within the range of the convex surface.

5. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that: Light from the center of the light emitting element can be refracted by the convex surface and guided inside the main body to be output from the light emitting portion of the main body.

6. The key according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The key is integrally formed of transparent rubber, and the surface except the light incident portion and the light emitting portion is coated with an opaque material.

7. A key device, characterized in that: The button device comprises a plurality of buttons according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of buttons are arranged side by side and connected by a connecting component; and the button device is integrally formed of transparent rubber.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises: one or more light emitting elements disposed on the circuit board; and A key according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or a key device according to claim 7; wherein Each key is configured with at least one of the light emitting elements.

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