Electronic device and its key component

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device and a key assembly thereof; the key assembly includes: a key cap and an elastic member; the key cap includes a main body portion and a hanging post, the main body portion includes a first surface, a second surface arranged opposite to each other, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface; the first surface is the force-receiving surface of the key cap for receiving a pressing force; the hanging post is arranged on the second surface and is used for clamping with the housing of the electronic device; the elastic member includes a connecting portion and a protruding portion; the connecting portion is connected to the second surface of the main body portion of the key cap, and the protruding portion extends towards opposite sides of the connecting portion and protrudes from the side surface of the main body portion of the key cap. The key assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application can solve the problem of the key cap becoming loose by designing a structure in which the elastic member cooperates with the key cap; in addition, the key assembly has relatively low requirements for the processing dimensions of the elastic member and the key cap, and has the characteristics of convenient assembly, low cost and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of key structures of electronic devices, and particularly to an electronic device and its key assembly. Background Art

[0002] With the development of mobile communication, users' requirements for the overall functions of their smart terminals (such as camera, battery life, and temperature rise) have increased, resulting in a tight internal structural space for smart terminals. At the same time, users' experience requirements for the thinness, lightness, and appearance delicacy of smart terminals have become more stringent. The shaking of side keys is one of the key problems affecting users' experience of smart terminals.

[0003] The main reason for the key shaking is that the side keys need to be pressed to trigger their functions, so there must be a certain design gap (generally 0.05 - 0.07 mm) between the side keys and the housing in the design. In the actual production process, due to the inability to control the uniformity of the design gap around the keys, the unilateral gap may be enlarged to about 0.15 mm. When the user's finger touches the key cap of the key, there may be slight displacements in the pressing direction and the width direction of the key cap. The direct impact between the side key of the key and the housing will cause slight sounds and vibrations, which will be transmitted to the user through the finger, making the user feel that the key is loose and having a bad experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a key assembly is provided. The key assembly includes:

[0005] A key cap, including a main body portion and hanging columns. The main body portion includes a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to each other, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is the force-receiving surface of the key cap for receiving the pressing force. The hanging columns are provided on the second surface and are used for snap-connecting with the housing of the electronic device.

[0006] An elastic member, including a connecting portion and a protruding portion. The connecting portion is connected to the second surface of the main body portion of the key cap, and the protruding portion extends towards the opposite sides of the connecting portion and protrudes from the side surface of the main body portion of the key cap.

[0007] In addition, the embodiments of the present application further provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing, a touch switch, and the key assembly according to any one of the above embodiments. The housing forms a receiving space. The touch switch is disposed in the receiving space. The housing is provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to the receiving space. The key cap is inserted into the through hole. The first surface of the main body portion of the key cap is exposed outside the housing. The hanging columns are snap-connected to the housing. The protruding portion of the elastic member is used for abutting against the inner side wall of the through hole, and the side of the connecting portion facing away from the main body portion of the key cap is used for abutting against the touch switch.

[0008] The key component provided by the embodiment of the present application can solve the problem of the key cap loosening by designing a structure in which an elastic member cooperates with the key cap. In addition, the key component has relatively low processing dimension requirements for the elastic member and the key cap, and has the characteristics of convenient assembly, low cost, and high reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device in the conventional technology;

[0011] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure at A-A in the embodiment;

[0012] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the key in the embodiment;

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first perspective of an embodiment of the key component of the present application;

[0014] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the structure of another perspective of the key component in the embodiment;

[0015] Figure 6 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the structural disassembly of the key component in the embodiment;

[0016] Figure 7 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic member in the embodiment;

[0017] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application;

[0018] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a schematic enlarged view of the partial structure at B in;

[0019] Figure 10 is Figure 9 a schematic diagram of the structural disassembly of;

[0020] Figure 11 is Figure 9 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure at C-C in;

[0021] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural block diagram of an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application. Specific embodiments

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be specifically noted that the following embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, but do not limit the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the following embodiments are only partial embodiments of the present invention rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0024] As used herein, "electronic device" (or simply "terminal") includes, but is not limited to, devices configured to receive / transmit communication signals via wired connections (such as via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), digital cable, direct cable connection, and / or another data connection / network) and / or via wireless interfaces (such as for cellular networks, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), digital television networks such as DVB-H networks, satellite networks, AM-FM broadcast transmitters, and / or another communication terminal). A communication terminal configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", "wireless terminal" or "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular telephones; Personal Communication System (PCS) terminals that can combine cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile, and data communication capabilities; PDAs that may include radiotelephones, pagers, Internet / intranet access, web browsers, notepads, calendars, and / or Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers; and conventional laptop and / or palmtop receivers or other electronic devices including radiotelephone transceivers. A mobile phone is an electronic device configured with a cellular communication module.

[0025] Under the limited structural space of current intelligent terminals, the conventional solutions for improving the shaking of side keys are as follows. Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 It is a schematic partial structure diagram of an electronic device in the conventional technology, Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure at A-A in the embodiment, Figure 3 isFigure 1 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the button in the embodiment. The button cap 1 has a certain stroke (generally 0.15 mm) from the tactile switch 2. In the conventional technology, the conductive base and the tactile switch 2 are usually appropriately interfered (within 0.03 mm) or have a zero clearance fit in the X direction (i.e., the moving direction of the button relative to the housing 3), so that the button cap 1 and the hanging platform 4 are subjected to the X-direction extrusion force of the tactile switch 2. When the button has a displacement in the Y direction (i.e., the length direction of the button cap 1) or the Z direction (i.e., the thickness direction of the electronic device or the width direction of the button cap 1), a corresponding frictional force will be generated between the button hanging platform 4 and the housing 3 to resist the displacement of the button, and the impact force of the keycap 1 on the housing 3 will be appropriately reduced through the frictional force; usually, a hanging platform 4 and a conductive base 5 are provided on the button conductive base. In the conventional technology solution, grooves are provided on the button hanging platform 4 and the conductive base 5, and soft rubber rings 6 are placed in the grooves. After the button is assembled into the housing, the soft rubber rings 6 are in interference fit with the button body and the housing respectively, and the button is clamped in the Y direction and the Z direction through the deformation tension of the soft rubber rings.

[0026] The effect of reducing button shaking by the X-direction interference method in the conventional technology solution is limited: the X-direction dimensional tolerance chain is long, and its requirements for interference fit are difficult to achieve in actual production, and it will cause a certain proportion of weak button feel (the interference amount is close to the stroke of the tactile switch); when the number of soft rubber rings 6 is only one, the button is unbalanced in force and there is no obvious improvement effect; when the number of soft rubber rings is two or more, the shaking effect is appropriately improved, but the fulcrum of the soft rubber ring 6 is far from the keycap. When some buttons are loose in the X direction, there is no frictional force between the button hanging platform and the housing. When the button is subjected to a Z-direction force, the button keycap rotates and contacts the housing 2 (refer to Figure 2 the arrow in the figure), and the user will also feel that the button is slightly loose; at the same time, when the number of soft rubber rings is large, it will increase the complexity of the assembly process and increase the cost of the button group.

[0027] In view of the above problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a button assembly. Please refer to Figures 4 to 6 , Figure 4 which is a schematic diagram of the first perspective structure of an embodiment of the button assembly of the present application; Figure 5 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the structure of another perspective of the button assembly in the embodiment; Figure 6 is Figure 4Schematic diagram of the structural disassembly of the button component in the embodiment. It should be noted that the button component in the embodiment of the present application is used for an electronic device, and the electronic device may include electronic devices with buttons such as mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, watches, and wearable devices. The button component 10 for the electronic device includes a button cap 100 and an elastic member 200. It should be noted that the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof in the embodiments of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or components inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0028] Specifically, the button cap 100 includes a main body portion 110 and a hanging post 120. The main body portion 110 includes a first surface 111, a second surface 112 arranged opposite to each other, and a side surface 113 connecting the first surface 111 and the second surface 112. The first surface 111 is the force-receiving surface of the button cap 100 for receiving the pressing force, that is, the contact surface for receiving the user's pressing. Optionally in this embodiment, the main body portion 110 and the hanging post 120 of the button cap 100 may be an integral structure, and the material may be plastic, metal, etc., which is not specifically limited here. It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and "third" in the embodiments of the present application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] Optionally, the hanging post 120 is provided on the second surface 112 of the main body portion 110, and the hanging post 120 is used for snap connection with the housing of the electronic device (the specific structure will be described in detail in the subsequent embodiments).

[0030] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is Figure 4Schematic structural diagram of the elastic member in the embodiment. The elastic member 200 includes a connecting portion 210 and a protruding portion 220. The connecting portion 210 is connected to the second surface 112 of the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100. The protruding portion 220 extends toward opposite sides of the connecting portion 210 and protrudes from the side surface 113 of the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100. Among them, the protruding portion 220 is used to abut against the inner side wall of the key hole of the electronic device (the detailed structural features will be introduced in detail in the subsequent embodiments) to improve the stability of the key cap 100 and prevent the key cap 100 from shaking. Optionally, the material of the elastic member can be made of materials such as rubber with certain elasticity and flexibility.

[0031] Optionally, please continue to refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , in this embodiment, the hanging posts 120 include a first hanging post 121 and a second hanging post 122 extending toward the same side of the main body portion. The first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122 are respectively located at both ends of the second surface 112, and the elastic member 200 is located between the first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122. Among them, optionally, the first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122 can be integrally structured with the main body portion 110 or detachably connected. In addition, in some other embodiments, it can also be a structure of multiple hanging posts, which will not be listed and described one by one here. Hanging grooves (1212, 1222) can be respectively provided at the ends of the first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122 for connecting with the housing of the electronic device.

[0032] Optionally, please continue to refer to Figure 6 , engaging grooves (1211, 1221) are respectively provided on one side of the first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122 facing the elastic member 200. Opposite ends of the connecting portion 210 of the elastic member 200 extend and are arranged in the engaging grooves (1211, 1221) to realize the positioning of the end positions of the connecting portion 210 of the elastic member 200 and prevent the elastic member 200 from detaching from the key cap 100 in the X direction.

[0033] Optionally, the number of the protruding portions 220 in this embodiment can be multiple, and they are evenly distributed on opposite sides of the connecting portion 210. Further optionally, the number of the protruding portions 220 can be an even number, and they are arranged in pairs on both sides of the connecting portion 210.

[0034] Please continue to refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7, a through groove 201 is provided between the convex portions 220 on the opposite sides of the connecting portion 210. The through groove 201 divides the connecting portion 210 into elastic cantilevers 211 arranged oppositely, and the convex portions 220 are connected to the elastic cantilevers 211. In this embodiment, the number of the through grooves 201 is two, and in some other embodiments, it can also be one or more, which is not specifically limited here. Among them, the interference amount between the elastic member 200 and the housing design can be adjusted with the change of the length of the elastic cantilever 211 and the material of the elastic member 200. Optionally, the middle position of the connecting portion 210 of the elastic member 200 can be fixed to the second surface 112 of the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100 by dispensing glue, and the two side positions can be clamped in the engaging grooves (1211, 1221) of the hanging posts (the first hanging post 121 and the second hanging post 122) to ensure that the elastic cantilever 211 area can move freely after assembly. After the key assembly 10 is assembled to the housing, its normal state is that the convex portion 220 is in contact with the housing in the Z direction. The reason is that the convex portion 220 is provided with an elastic cantilever 211, which has a certain free movement amount to absorb the errors caused by the processing of the housing and the key cap.

[0035] A stable mechanical structure is formed by the elastic force of the elastic cantilever 211. When the user applies an appropriate thrust in the Z direction, the elastic cantilever 211 of the elastic member is compressed, increasing the elastic force to counteract the thrust displacement of the user to the key cap 100, thereby eliminating the user's concern about the looseness of the key cap 100; since there are convex portions 220 on the periphery of the key cap 100 to support the housing, the gap between the key cap 100 and the housing is more uniform, and the movable amount of the key cap 100 is reduced, which can also weaken the user's perception of key looseness.

[0036] Optionally, please continue to refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , a positioning protrusion 1121 is provided on the second surface 112 of the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100, and a positioning hole 212 matching the positioning protrusion 1121 is provided on the connecting portion 210 of the elastic member 200. The positioning hole 212 is in positioning cooperation with the positioning protrusion 1121. Among them, an adhesive area can also be formed between the two by dispensing glue.

[0037] The key assembly provided in this embodiment can solve the problem of key cap looseness by designing a structure in which an elastic member cooperates with the key cap; in addition, the key assembly has relatively low requirements for the processing dimensions of the elastic member and the key cap, and has the characteristics of convenient assembly, low cost and high reliability.

[0038] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device. Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application, Figure 9 isFigure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of the local structure at point B in the figure; it should be noted that the electronic device in the embodiment of the present application may include any electronic device with buttons, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a Bluetooth speaker, a headset, a watch, a wearable device, etc., wherein the diagram of this embodiment takes a mobile phone as an example for explanation.

[0039] Optionally, please also refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structural decomposition, Figure 11 yes Figure 9 The schematic structural cross-sectional view at CC in the figure shows that the electronic device in this embodiment includes a housing 20, a touch switch 30 and a key assembly 10. The housing 20 is formed with a housing space 1000, and the touch switch 30 is arranged in the housing space 1000, wherein the key assembly 10 can be any one of the aforementioned embodiments, and for detailed structures, please refer to the description of the aforementioned embodiments. It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0040] The shell 20 is provided with a through hole 21 at a position corresponding to the accommodating space 1000, and the key cap 100 is inserted into the through hole 21. The first surface 111 of the main body 110 of the key cap 100 is exposed from the shell 20, wherein the number of the key cap 100 may be one or more (the multiple key caps 100 may be a connected structure or an independent structure), and the corresponding number of the through holes 21 may also be one or more, and the detailed structural features of this part are not specifically limited here.

[0041] Among them, the hanging column 120 is snap-fitted with the shell 20; optionally, the electronic device in this embodiment also includes a connector 40, which is arranged in the accommodating space 1000, and the hanging column 120 is snap-fitted with the connector 40, specifically, the hanging grooves (1212, 1222) at the ends of the first hanging column 121 and the second hanging column 122 are snap-fitted with the connector 40.

[0042] In some embodiments, the convex portion 220 of the elastic member 200 is used to abut against the inner sidewall of the through hole 21, and the side of the connecting portion 210 facing away from the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100 is used to abut against the touch switch 30. Specifically, the electronic device in this embodiment further includes a conductive base 50, and the main body portion 110 of the key cap 100 abuts against the touch switch 30 through the conductive base 50. The detailed technical features of other parts of the electronic device are within the understanding of those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0043] For the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application, its key assembly can solve the problem of loose key cap by designing a structure in which an elastic member cooperates with the key cap; in addition, the key assembly has relatively low requirements for the processing dimensions of the elastic member and the key cap, and has the characteristics of convenient assembly, low cost and high reliability.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of the structural composition of an embodiment of the electronic device of the present application. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable device, etc. In this embodiment, the mobile phone is taken as an example. The structure of the electronic device may include an RF circuit 910, a memory 920, an input unit 930, a display unit 940, a sensor 950, an audio circuit 960, a wifi module 970, a processor 980, and a power supply 990, etc. Among them, the RF circuit 910, the memory 920, the input unit 930, the display unit 940, the sensor 950, the audio circuit 960, and the wifi module 970 are respectively connected to the processor 980; the power supply 990 is used to supply electrical energy to the entire electronic device 10.

[0045] Specifically, the RF circuit 910 is used to receive and transmit signals; the memory 920 is used to store data instruction information; the input unit 930 is used to input information, and specifically may include a touch panel 931 and other input devices 932 such as operation keys; the display unit 940 may include a display panel 941, etc.; the sensor 950 includes an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, etc., and is used to detect user proximity signals, distance signals, etc.; the speaker 961 and the microphone (or microphone) 962 are connected to the processor 980 through the audio circuit 960 and are used to receive and transmit sound signals; the wifi module 970 is used to receive and transmit wifi signals, and the processor 980 is used to process the data information of the electronic device. For the specific structural features of the electronic device, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the above embodiments and will not be introduced in detail here.

[0046] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention, and thus do not limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent device or equivalent process transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, shall similarly be included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key component, characterized in that, the key component includes: a key cap for inserting into a through hole of a housing of an electronic device. The key cap includes a main body portion and hanging posts. The main body portion includes a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to each other, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is a force-receiving surface of the key cap for receiving a pressing force. The hanging posts are disposed on the second surface and are used for clamping connection with the housing of the electronic device; an elastic member including a connecting portion and a protruding portion. The connecting portion is connected to the second surface of the main body portion of the key cap. The protruding portion extends toward opposite sides of the connecting portion and protrudes from the side surface of the main body portion of the key cap. The protruding portion is used for abutting against the inner side wall of the through hole.

2. The key component according to claim 1, characterized in that, the hanging posts include a first hanging post and a second hanging post extending toward the same side of the main body portion. The first hanging post and the second hanging post are respectively located at two ends of the second surface, and the elastic member is located between the first hanging post and the second hanging post.

3. The key component according to claim 2, characterized in that, clamping grooves are respectively disposed on one side of the first hanging post and the second hanging post facing the elastic member, and opposite ends of the connecting portion of the elastic member extend and are disposed in the clamping grooves.

4. The key component according to claim 1, characterized in that, the number of the protruding portions is multiple, and they are evenly distributed on opposite sides of the connecting portion.

5. The key component according to claim 4, characterized in that, the number of the protruding portions is even, and they are arranged in pairs and opposite to each other on both sides of the connecting portion.

6. The key component according to claim 5, characterized in that, a through groove is disposed between the protruding portions on opposite sides of the connecting portion. The through groove divides the connecting portion into relatively arranged elastic cantilevers, and the protruding portions are connected to the elastic cantilevers.

7. The key component according to claim 1, characterized in that, the elastic member is made of rubber.

8. The key component according to claim 1, characterized in that, a positioning protrusion is disposed on the second surface of the main body portion of the key cap, and a positioning hole cooperating with the positioning protrusion is disposed on the connecting portion of the elastic member. The positioning hole and the positioning protrusion are in positioning cooperation.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, the electronic device includes a housing, a touch switch, and the key component according to any one of claims 1-8. The housing forms an accommodation space. The touch switch is disposed in the accommodation space. A through hole is disposed on the housing corresponding to the accommodation space. The key cap is inserted into the through hole. The first surface of the main body portion of the key cap is exposed outside the housing. The hanging posts are in clamping connection with the housing. The protruding portion of the elastic member is used for abutting against the inner side wall of the through hole. One side of the connecting portion facing away from the main body portion of the key cap is used for abutting against the touch switch.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The electronic device further includes a plug-in component, the plug-in component is disposed in the accommodating space, and the hanging post is in snap-fit with the plug-in component.

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