Wearable products and their button components

Abstract

This invention discloses a wearable product and its button assembly. The button assembly includes a metal elastic element and a button lever. The metal elastic element is integrally formed with the mid-frame of the wearable product through injection molding. The metal elastic element is located inside the mid-frame, and the button lever is movably inserted through the mid-frame. The first end of the button lever has an operating part located outside the mid-frame for operation, and the second end of the button lever extends towards the metal elastic element in a cooperative manner. When pressed, the button lever generates elastic deformation by pushing against the metal elastic element, thereby obtaining pressing damping and rebound force. Because the metal elastic element and the mid-frame are integrally formed through injection molding, the assembly of springs, sheet metal, and other elastic components is avoided, effectively improving assembly efficiency and reducing assembly costs. Furthermore, since assembly errors such as screws and hot-melt pins are not introduced, the pressing feel is highly consistent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wearable devices, and more particularly to a wearable product and its button assembly. Background Technology

[0002] As we all know, wearable watches and wearable bracelets are wearable products. In order to facilitate users to adjust the time, date and other settings on wearable watches and wearable bracelets, button components are provided on them.

[0003] In existing wearable watches / wristbands, the button components require additional springs / springs to provide pressing damping and rebound forces for the rotating buttons. Therefore, the spring-based solution presents several problems: Firstly, fixing the spring between the button lever and the button cap and utilizing the spring's compression and rebound force to provide damping and rebound forces to the button lever places significant space requirements on the lever and button cap. Secondly, the spring's extremely small size hinders installation convenience. Furthermore, the spring's rotation with the crown can easily cause instability in the rotational damping.

[0004] As for the spring-loaded solution, screws are used to fix the spring to the watch body. When the button rod moves down and touches the spring, the spring deformation generates a rebound force to provide damping. However, this solution requires the production line to add screw assembly and heat melting stations, so the assembly efficiency is low. At the same time, due to assembly errors, the button feel is not consistent.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a wearable product and its button components to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a button component that improves assembly efficiency, reduces assembly costs, and enhances the tactile feel of pressing.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a wearable product that improves assembly efficiency, reduces assembly costs, and enhances the feel of pressing.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the button assembly of the wearable product of the present invention is disposed in the middle frame of the wearable product, and includes a metal elastic element and a button lever. The metal elastic element and the middle frame are formed into an integral structure by injection molding. The metal elastic element is located inside the middle frame, and the button lever is movably inserted through the middle frame. The first end of the button lever has an operating part located outside the middle frame for operation, and the second end of the button lever extends toward the metal elastic element in a cooperative manner. When pressed, the button lever generates elastic deformation by pushing against the metal elastic element, thereby obtaining pressing damping and rebound force.

[0009] Preferably, the middle frame is a metal middle frame, and the metal middle frame and the metal elastic element are formed into an integral structure through MIM process.

[0010] Preferably, the button lever abuts against the metal elastic element when not pressed.

[0011] Preferably, the metal elastic member includes an extension section extending toward the center of the middle frame and a bent section formed by bending the extension section in a suspended manner, and the second end of the button lever extends into the bent section in a cooperating manner.

[0012] Preferably, the bent section includes a first section extending away from the extension section and a second section bent back from the first section, with the second end of the button lever extending into the second section in a matching manner.

[0013] Preferably, the first segment and the second segment are aligned with each other on the back side of the middle frame, and the first segment and the second segment are aligned with each other on the front side of the middle frame.

[0014] Preferably, the angle between the bent section and the extended section is 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

[0015] Preferably, the metal elastic element is a metal sheet or a steel wire.

[0016] Preferably, the button assembly of the present invention further includes a bar tube, which passes through the middle frame, and the button lever is movably passed through the bar tube. The first end of the button lever extends out of the bar tube and is fitted with a button cap for forming the operating part.

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, the wearable product of the present invention includes a mid-frame and the aforementioned button assembly.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, since the metal elastic component located inside the middle frame is integrated with the middle frame through injection molding, the separate assembly of the metal elastic component at the middle frame is avoided, which can effectively improve assembly efficiency and reduce assembly costs. At the same time, since assembly errors such as screws and hot melt pillars are not introduced, the pressing feel is highly consistent. In addition, the button lever can be moved through the middle frame, with an operating part located outside the middle frame for operation at the first end, and the second end extending into the metal elastic component in a matching manner. Therefore, when the button lever is pressed, the button lever generates elastic deformation by pushing the metal elastic component, thereby obtaining pressing damping and rebound force, further ensuring the consistency of the pressing feel of the button lever. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the button assembly of the present invention located in the middle frame of a wearable product.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 3D exploded view.

[0021] Figure 3yes Figure 1 A floor plan viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the metal elastic element and the middle frame of the button assembly of the present invention, which are formed into an integral structure through injection molding.

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A floor plan viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A floor plan viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0025] Figure 7a yes Figure 3 State diagram when no pressing force F is applied to the operating part.

[0026] Figure 7b yes Figure 7a A diagram showing the state when the operating part is subjected to a pressing force F and the metal elastic element has been deformed. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To illustrate the technical content and structural features of the present invention in detail, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0028] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The wearable product 100 of the present invention can be a wearable watch, or, depending on actual needs, a wearable bracelet, but is not limited thereto. The wearable product 100 of the present invention includes a middle frame 10 and a button assembly 20; specifically, the middle frame 10 is a closed-loop structure with closed ends, such as a circular ring structure or a square ring structure, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that since other structures in the wearable product 100 of the present invention not mentioned are not original to this application and are well-known in the art, they will not be described in detail here. Furthermore, regarding the specific structure of the button assembly 20, please see the description below.

[0029] Combination Figures 4 to 6The button assembly 20 is located on the middle frame 10 and includes a metal elastic element 21 and a button lever 22. The metal elastic element 21 and the middle frame 10 are formed into an integral structure through injection molding, so that the middle frame 10 and the metal elastic element 21 are not detachable without damage. The metal elastic element 21 is located inside the middle frame 10, and the middle frame 10 surrounds the metal elastic element 21 from all sides, thus protecting the metal elastic element 21. The button lever 22 is movably inserted through the middle frame 10. Preferably, when the middle frame 10 is a circular ring structure, the button lever 22 is inserted radially through the middle frame 10. When the middle frame 10 is a square ring structure, the button lever 22 is inserted along the length or width of the middle frame 10, but is not limited thereto. Simultaneously, the first end 221 of the button lever 22 has an operating part 22a located outside the middle frame 10 for operation, and the second end 222 of the button lever 22 extends in a cooperating manner toward the metal elastic member 21. Therefore, when the button lever 22 is subjected to... Figure 7a When the pressing force F is applied as shown, the button lever 22 generates a force such as... through the pushing metal elastic element 21. Figure 7b The elastic deformation shown provides the button lever 22 with pressing damping and rebound force. Specifically, the middle frame 10 is a metal middle frame, and the metal middle frame and the metal elastic element 21 are integrated into a single structure through the MIM process. The MIM process improves the stability and connection strength between the middle frame 10 and the metal elastic element 21, thus more effectively ensuring the pressing damping and rebound force provided by the metal elastic element 21 to the button lever 22. Alternatively, the middle frame 10 can be made of plastic, depending on the actual needs. When the middle frame 10 is made of plastic, the metal elastic element 21 and the middle frame 10 are integrated into a single structure through in-mold injection molding. This involves first embedding the metal elastic element 21 into the mold used to form the middle frame 10; then injecting molten material into the mold; then holding the mold under pressure; and finally, opening the mold and removing the middle frame 10 along with the metal elastic element 21. For a more detailed description of the button assembly 20, please see the following description. Additionally, it should be noted that MIM is short for Metal Injection Molding, a molding method in which a plasticized mixture of metal powder and its binder is injected into a mold. It involves first mixing the selected powder with the binder, then granulating the mixture and then injecting it into the desired shape.

[0030] like Figure 3 and Figure 7a As shown, when the button lever 22 is not pressed, it abuts against the metal elastic element 21, so that the metal elastic element 21 and the button lever 22 remain in abutting state, avoiding the need for the button lever 22 to move a certain distance before abutting against the metal elastic element 21 during the pressing process. Specifically, in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 In the middle, the metal elastic element 21 includes an extension segment 21a extending towards the center near the middle frame 10 and a suspended bent segment 21b formed by bending the extension segment 21a. The second end 222 of the button lever 22 extends into the bent segment 21b in a cooperative manner, so as to improve the elastic deformation sensitivity of the bent segment 21b by means of the suspended bent segment 21b, thereby making the pushing operation of the button lever 22 on the bent segment 21b more comfortable and with better feel when pressed. More specifically, in Figure 6 In the middle section, the included angle α between the bent section 21b and the extension section 21a is 90 degrees, so that the bent section 21b and the extension section 21a are perpendicular to each other, thereby ensuring that the bent section 21b is perpendicular to the button lever 22. See the diagram for the state. Figure 6 As shown; of course, depending on actual needs, the included angle α can also be 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 95 degrees or 100 degrees, so it is not limited to the above description. For example, the metal elastic element 21 can be a metal spring sheet to facilitate the connection between the metal elastic element 21 and the middle frame 10, and the pushing operation of the button lever 22 on the metal elastic element 21; of course, it can also be a steel wire depending on actual needs, but it is not limited to this.

[0031] In order to improve the tactile feel of the button lever 22, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the middle, the bent section 21b includes a first section 211 extending away from the extension section 21a and a second section 212 bent back from the first section 211. The second end 222 of the button lever 22 extends toward the second section 212 in a cooperating manner, so that the bent section 21b is formed by the cooperation of the first section 211 and the second section 212. Figure 5 The spiral structure shown makes the elastic deformation of the second segment 212 more sensitive, further making the pushing operation of the button lever 22 on the bent segment 21b more comfortable and providing a better feel when pressed. To simplify the manufacturing process of the first segment 211 and the second segment 212, in Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 7a and Figure 7b In the middle frame 10, the first segment 211 and the second segment 212 are aligned with each other on the opposite side 2111 (2121) of the middle frame 10, and the first segment 211 and the second segment 212 are aligned with each other on the opposite side 2112 (2122) of the middle frame 10. This makes the first segment 211 and the second segment 212 equal in size in the direction of the pressing force F, avoiding the presence of steps due to the different sizes of the first segment 211 and the second segment 212 in the direction of the pressing force F, and avoiding stress concentration at the step due to the presence of the step during elastic deformation, which could lead to the breakage of the first segment 211 and the second segment 212 at the step during elastic deformation.

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, to make the assembly of the button lever 22 at the middle frame 10 more reliable, the button assembly 100 of the present invention also includes a tube 23, which passes through the middle frame 10. The button lever 22 is movably inserted through the tube 23, so that the button lever 22 is indirectly inserted through the middle frame 10 via the tube 23. At the same time, the first end 221 of the button lever 22 extends out of the tube 23 and is fitted with a button cap for forming the operation part 22a, so that the operation part 22a is formed by means of the button cap, which facilitates operation and also serves as a cover. Specifically, in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the middle frame 10, an internal threaded hole 11 is provided, and the bar tube 23 has an external thread 231. The bar tube 23 is assembled to the middle frame 10 by means of the external thread 231 and the internal thread 22, so as to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the bar tube 23 and the middle frame 10. Furthermore, since the button lever 22 is assembled to the bar tube 23, the button lever 22 can be assembled and disassembled relative to the middle frame 10 along with the bar tube 23, thus making the assembly and disassembly operation more convenient. More specifically, in conjunction with... Figure 2 and Figure 4 The outer side of the middle frame 10 has a recessed groove 12 surrounding the internal threaded hole 11. Preferably, the recessed groove 12 is connected to the internal threaded hole 11. A sealing ring 24 is fitted on the bar tube 23 near the external thread 231. The sealing ring 24 is located in the recessed groove 12 and is tightly clamped between the bar tube 23 and the middle frame 10 to improve the sealing performance between the bar tube 23 and the middle frame 10. It should be noted that the bar tube 23 can be removed according to actual needs. When the bar tube 23 is removed, the button rod 22 is directly inserted through the middle frame 10, so it is not limited to the figure shown.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, since the metal elastic element 21 located inside the middle frame 10 is integrated with the middle frame 10 through injection molding, the separate assembly of the metal elastic element 21 at the middle frame 10 is avoided, which can effectively improve assembly efficiency and reduce assembly costs. At the same time, since no assembly errors such as screws and hot melt pillars are introduced, the pressing feel is highly consistent. In addition, the button lever 22 can be movably inserted through the middle frame 10, and the first end 221 has an operating part 22a located outside the middle frame 10 for operation, and the second end 222 extends toward the metal elastic element 21 in a matching manner. Therefore, when the button lever 22 is pressed, the button lever 22 generates elastic deformation by pushing the metal elastic element 21 to obtain pressing damping and rebound force, which further ensures the consistency of the pressing feel of the button lever 22.

[0034] It is worth noting that, in order to facilitate the display of the components within the middle frame 10, only a portion of the middle frame 10 is shown in the attached drawings; also, as mentioned earlier, the middle frame 10 is a closed-loop structure with closed ends, so the shape of the middle frame 10 is not limited to that shown in the attached drawings; furthermore, although the attached drawings show the operating part 22a formed by the button cap, of course, depending on actual needs, the operating part can also be directly formed by the first end 221 of the button lever 22, so it is not limited to that shown in the attached drawings; in addition, the second end 222 of the button lever 22 extending toward the metal elastic member 21 in a cooperative manner means that the metal elastic member 21 has a position directly opposite to the button lever 22 in the direction along which the button lever 22 passes through the middle frame 10, so as to meet the pushing need of the button lever 22 on the metal elastic member 21.

[0035] The above-disclosed examples are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A button assembly for a wearable product, disposed in the middle frame of the wearable product, comprising a metal elastic element and a button lever, characterized in that, The metal elastic element and the middle frame are integrated into a single structure through injection molding. The metal elastic element is located inside the middle frame. The button rod is movably inserted through the middle frame. The first end of the button rod has an operating part located outside the middle frame for operation. The second end of the button rod extends toward the metal elastic element in a matching manner. When the button rod is pressed, it generates elastic deformation by pushing against the metal elastic element to obtain pressing damping and rebound force. When the button lever is not pressed, it abuts against the metal elastic element; the metal elastic element includes an extension section extending toward the center of the middle frame and a bent section formed by bending the extension section and being suspended in the air, and the second end of the button lever extends into the bent section in a matching manner.

2. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The middle frame is a metal middle frame, and the metal middle frame and the metal elastic element are formed into an integral structure through MIM process.

3. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bent section includes a first section extending away from the extension section and a second section bent back from the first section, with the second end of the button lever extending into the second section in a matching manner.

4. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first segment and the second segment are aligned with each other on the back side of the middle frame, and the first segment and the second segment are aligned with each other on the front side of the middle frame.

5. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the bent section and the extended section is 80 to 100 degrees.

6. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal elastic element is a metal sheet or a steel wire.

7. The button assembly of the wearable product according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a bar tube, which passes through the middle frame, and the button lever passes movably through the bar tube. The first end of the button lever extends out of the bar tube and is fitted with a button cap for forming the operating part.

8. A wearable product, comprising a mid-frame, characterized in that, The wearable product also includes a button assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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