Key assembly and electronic device case

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a kind of key assembly and electronic equipment box, the key assembly includes the equipment lower shell and the key back shell connected with each other, switch is arranged in the accommodating cavity of key back shell, key moves and is arranged in the communicating key through-hole and accommodating cavity formed by equipment lower shell and key back shell, sealing ring is arranged in the annular groove of key and seals the gap between key and equipment lower shell, annular groove has stress release area and accommodating area. In the process of pressing switch, key can reduce extrusion to sealing ring by stress release area, so as to reduce or eliminate the rebound force of sealing ring itself in the pressing direction, so as to reduce the influence on key rebound force and improve pressing feeling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic device technology, and more specifically to a button assembly and an electronic device box. Background Technology

[0002] The button assembly of an electronic device is used to control the opening of the device box. Because electronic devices require high levels of waterproof and dustproof sealing, the button assembly typically includes a sealing ring 5 to ensure a good seal even when the button 4 is pressed. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the cross-section of the mounting groove for the sealing ring 5 is typically rectangular, and the height of the mounting groove is usually only slightly greater than the maximum height of the sealing ring 5 after compression deformation. Due to the space limitation of the mounting groove, the sealing ring 5 is easily compressed under load, generating a rebound force, which in turn affects the pressing feel of the button 4. In addition, as... Figure 2 As shown, if the height of the mounting groove is too large, the range of motion of the sealing ring 5 within it will increase, which may cause it to tilt and twist, thereby affecting the sealing effect and also accelerating the wear of the sealing ring 5. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a button assembly and an electronic device box that reduce or eliminate the rebound force of the sealing ring itself in the pressing direction, thereby reducing the impact on the button rebound force and improving the pressing feel.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a button assembly, the button assembly comprising:

[0005] The lower casing of the device has through holes for buttons;

[0006] The button back cover has a receiving cavity, the button back cover is connected to the inner side of the lower shell of the device, and the button through hole communicates with the receiving cavity;

[0007] The switch is located within the accommodating cavity;

[0008] A button is movably disposed within the button through hole and the receiving cavity. The button includes an annular groove with a lateral opening. The button is disposed opposite to the switch.

[0009] A sealing ring is disposed in the annular groove, and the sealing ring is used to seal the button and the lower housing of the device;

[0010] The annular groove includes a stress relief area and a receiving area arranged sequentially along the height direction of the button.

[0011] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove is set as a rectangular structure with an arc or curve as the top edge, and the height of the outer vertex of the arc or curve is higher than the height of the inner vertex.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove is set as a right-angled trapezoidal structure, and the height of the outer side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure is higher than the height of the inner side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the arc is a circular arc.

[0014] Furthermore, the size of the accommodating cavity is larger than the size of the key through hole;

[0015] The button includes a pressing part and a limiting part connected below the pressing part. The pressing part is movably disposed within the button through hole, and the limiting part is located within the receiving cavity. The annular groove is disposed on the pressing part. The size of the limiting part is larger than the size of the button through hole and smaller than the size of the receiving cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, the button also includes a contact portion fixed below the limiting portion, and the contact portion is disposed opposite to the switch.

[0017] Furthermore, the accommodating cavity includes a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion being disposed below the first accommodating portion, the limiting portion being located within the first accommodating portion, and the switch being located within the second accommodating portion.

[0018] Furthermore, the height of the pressing part is the same as the depth of the button through hole, the annular groove is circular, and the sealing ring is an O-ring.

[0019] Furthermore, the button assembly also includes a pad, which is fixed to the side of the lower housing of the device facing the rear housing of the button, and the button through hole penetrates the lower housing of the device and the pad.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide an electronic device box, the electronic device box comprising:

[0021] As described in the first aspect, the lower housing of the device has a device cavity;

[0022] The equipment outer shell has one end hinged to the lower shell of the equipment, and the other end fastened to the lower shell of the equipment;

[0023] The button is configured to be pressed to move and open the fastened upper and lower housings of the device.

[0024] The button assembly in this embodiment provides a stress relief area in the annular groove above the button where the sealing ring is housed. This allows the button to reduce the pressure on the sealing ring during the pressing process, thereby reducing or eliminating the rebound force of the sealing ring in the pressing direction. This reduces the impact on the button's rebound force and improves the pressing feel. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an existing button assembly;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the sealing ring inside the annular groove when the height of the annular groove is increased;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a button assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another button component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged view of the sealing ring within the annular groove according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device box according to an embodiment of the present invention along the AA direction.

[0033] Figure label:

[0034] 1-Lower housing of the device; 11-Button through hole; 2-Button rear housing; 21-Accommodation cavity; 211-First accommodation part; 212-Second accommodation part; 3-Switch; 4-Button; 41-Annular groove; 411-Stress relief area; 412-Accommodation area; 42-Pressing part; 43-Limiting part; 44-Contact part; 5-Sealing ring; 6-Padded block; 7-Equipment cavity; 8-Equipment housing. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention is described below based on embodiments, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the detailed description of the invention below, certain specific details are described in detail. Those skilled in the art will fully understand the invention even without these details. To avoid obscuring the essence of the invention, well-known methods, processes, flows, elements, and circuits are not described in detail.

[0036] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should understand that the accompanying drawings provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0037] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Unless the context explicitly requires it, words such as "including" or "contains" throughout the application should be interpreted as including rather than exclusive or exhaustive; that is, meaning "including but not limited to".

[0039] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0040] Figures 3-5 This is a schematic diagram of the button assembly in this embodiment. The button assembly is used to control the opening and closing of the housing. The button assembly includes a lower housing 1, a button rear housing 2, a switch 3, a button 4, and a sealing ring 5, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown.

[0041] The lower housing 1 is used in conjunction with the rear housing 2 of the buttons as a front cover for the buttons. That is, when the button assembly is assembled onto the electronic device, the lower housing 1 can be used as the front cover for the buttons without affecting its other functions.

[0042] Specifically, the lower housing 1 of the device has a button through hole 11, and the button rear housing 2 has a receiving cavity 21, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The button back cover 2 is connected to the inner side of the lower cover 1 of the device, and the button through hole 11 communicates with the receiving cavity 21. The switch 3 is disposed in the receiving cavity 21, and the button 4 is movable and disposed within the button through hole 11 and the receiving cavity 21 and is positioned opposite to the switch 3, as shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. Switch 3 is used to control the opening of the electronic device box. The user can open the electronic device box by pressing button 4, which moves button 4 inwards towards the accommodating cavity 21 to press switch 3.

[0043] In this embodiment, the switch 3 is elastic. When the user stops pressing the button 4, the switch 3 resets elastically, thereby pushing the button 4 to move in the opposite direction and reset. Furthermore, an elastic element can be connected between the button 4 and the bottom surface of the receiving cavity 21, allowing the button 4 to reset via the elastic element.

[0044] The button 4 includes an annular groove 41 with a lateral opening, and the sealing ring 5 is elastically fitted into the annular groove 41. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The sealing ring 5 is used to seal the gap between the button 4 and the lower housing 1 of the device. The gap refers to the gap between the button 4 and the button through hole 11. When the button 4 is pressed and moves within the button through hole 11, the sealing ring 5, even under compression, can still seal the gap between the button 4 and the button through hole 11.

[0045] The annular groove 41 includes a stress relief area 411 and a receiving area 412 arranged sequentially along the height direction (i.e., the pressing direction) of the button 4, such as... Figure 5 As shown. The stress relief zone 411 can add appropriate space to the top of the sealing ring 5 to release the compressive force generated by the compression of the sealing ring 5, without increasing the range of motion of the sealing ring 5 or causing the sealing ring 5 to twist or tilt. In this embodiment, by setting the stress relief zone 411 on the top of the sealing ring 5, the button 4 reduces or eliminates the rebound force of the sealing ring 5 itself in the pressing direction, thereby reducing the influence of the rebound force of the sealing ring 5 on the button 4, thus improving the button's pressing feel. Furthermore, the setting of the stress relief zone 411 can also reduce the wear failure caused by the compression of the sealing ring 5.

[0046] In this application, the receiving area 412 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and its structure, size, and shape are completely identical to those of the existing sealing ring mounting groove. The stress relief area 411 is located above the receiving area 412. That is, the stress relief area 411 is a pressure relief area added above the existing sealing ring mounting groove structure. This not only prevents the sealing ring 5 from increasing its range of motion, but also releases its pressure through the increased space at the top, improving the pressing feel while reducing wear failure caused by compression.

[0047] Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove 41 is set as a rectangular structure with an arc or curve at the top edge, and the height of the outer vertex of the arc or curve is higher than the height of the inner vertex, such as... Figure 5As shown. In other words, the stress relief zone 411 is achieved by adding an arc-shaped or curved surface to the top of the original rectangular groove. This maintains the sealing ring's range of motion without increasing it, while the added space at the top releases its compressive pressure, improving the pressing feel and reducing wear failure caused by compression. Preferably, the arc is a circular arc, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown.

[0048] In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove 41 can also be set as a right-angled trapezoidal structure, wherein the height of the outer side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure is higher than the height of the inner side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In other words, the stress relief zone 411 is set by adding a chamfer to the top of the original rectangular groove. This not only keeps the range of motion of the sealing ring from increasing, but also releases its compressive pressure by increasing the space at the top, improving the pressing feel while reducing wear failure caused by compression.

[0049] In this application, the position of the annular groove 41 on the button 4 is such that the sealing ring 5 located in the annular groove 41 always contacts the side wall of the button through hole 11 to seal the button 4 before and after it is pressed and moved.

[0050] Specifically, the shape of the sealing ring 5 is the same as the shape of the annular groove 41, the shape of the annular groove 41 corresponds to the shape of the cross-section of the button 4, and the cross-section of the button 4 is the same as the shape of the button through hole 11 and the receiving cavity 21. This allows the sealing ring 5 to seal the circumferential gap between the button 4 and the button through hole 11 when the button 4 moves within the button through hole 11 and the receiving cavity 21. The shape of the button through hole 11 includes, but is not limited to, circular holes and rectangular holes. The shapes of the annular groove 41 and the sealing ring 5 include, but are not limited to, circular annular holes and square annular holes. Preferably, the button 4 is a cylinder, the annular groove 41 is circular, the button through hole 11 and the receiving cavity 21 are circular holes, and the sealing ring 5 is an O-ring, which is easy to process and has low cost. The external dimensions of the button back shell 2 are not limited. Preferably, the button back shell 2 is a cylinder, which is easy to process and produce, while reducing its footprint inside the lower shell 1 of the device.

[0051] In this embodiment, the button 4 includes a pressing part 42 and a limiting part 43. The limiting part 43 is fixed below the pressing part 42. The size of the pressing part 42 is slightly smaller than the size of the button through hole 11 (or even the two are clearance-fitted), so that the pressing part 42 can be movably disposed within the button through hole 11. The size of the receiving cavity 21 is larger than the size of the button through hole 11, and the size of the limiting part 43 is larger than the size of the button through hole 11 and smaller than the size of the receiving cavity 21. The limiting part 43 is disposed within the receiving cavity 21, such as... Figure 3and Figure 4 As shown. When the pressing part 42 is pressed, it drives the limiting part 43 to move synchronously towards the bottom of the receiving cavity 21, thus pressing the switch 3. The limiting part 43 is connected to the receiving cavity 21 and can keep the button 4 connected to the lower shell 1 of the device through the limiting part 43 when the external pressure of the pressing part 42 is released, preventing the button 4 from falling and being lost.

[0052] The annular groove 41 is located at the middle of the pressing part 42. The position of the annular groove 41 on the pressing part 42 ensures that, during the process of the pressing part 42 being pressed and moving to press the switch 3, the annular groove 41 is always opposite to the wall of the button through hole 11. This ensures that the sealing ring 5 located within the annular groove 41 is always in compressive contact with the wall of the button through hole 11, thereby ensuring that the button 4 remains sealed to the button through hole 11 during movement. In other words, the stroke of the pressing part 42 should be less than the distance between the bottom of the pressing part 42 and the annular groove 41.

[0053] Furthermore, the distance from the limiting part 43 to the bottom surface of the receiving cavity 21 should be greater than or equal to the pressing stroke of the button 4. The pressing stroke is the distance from when the button 4 is not pressed by external force to when the switch 3 can be pressed.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the pressing part 42 is the same as the depth of the button through hole 11, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. When not pressed by external force, the top surface of the pressing part 42 (i.e., the top surface of the button 4) is flush with the outer side of the lower shell 1 of the device, which can prevent the button 4 from being accidentally pressed when the electronic device box is placed in a pocket or bag. At the same time, the flushness of the top surface of the pressing part 42 with the outer side of the lower shell 1 of the device can also improve the aesthetics of the electronic device box.

[0055] Furthermore, the accommodating cavity 21 includes a first accommodating portion 211 and a second accommodating portion 212, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The second receiving portion 212 is disposed below the first receiving portion 211, and the second receiving portion 212 is disposed opposite to the button through hole 11, and the size of the second receiving portion 212 is smaller than the size of the button through hole 11. The limiting portion 43 is located inside the first receiving portion 211. The size of the limiting portion 43 is larger than the size of the button through hole 11 and the size of the second receiving portion 212, and smaller than the size of the first receiving portion 211, so that the limiting portion 43 can move within the first receiving portion 211 to prevent the button 4 from falling off. The depth of the first receiving portion 211 is sufficient to meet the pressing stroke of the limiting portion 43.

[0056] The switch 3 is located within the second accommodating portion 212. The button 4 also includes a contact portion 44, which is fixed below the limiting portion 43. The contact portion 44 is disposed opposite to the switch 3, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The size of the contact portion 44 is smaller than the size of the second receiving portion 212, so that the contact portion 44 can be pressed and moved into the second receiving portion 212 to press the switch 3. The switch 3, by being located within the second receiving portion 212, can be accurately positioned relative to the button 4, reducing installation difficulty.

[0057] Because the electronic device box is relatively small, the lower shell 1 is thin, resulting in a shallow button through-hole 11 that cannot meet the pressing travel requirements of button 4. Therefore, the button assembly also includes a pad 6, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The pad 6 is fixed to the side of the lower housing 1 facing the button rear housing 2, and is used to increase the local thickness of the lower housing 1. The button through-hole 11 is located at the position where the pad 6 connects to the lower housing 1, and the button through-hole 11 penetrates both the lower housing 1 and the pad 6, thereby meeting the pressing stroke and assembly requirements of the button 4. Preferably, the pad 6 is integrally formed with the lower housing 1.

[0058] In summary, the assembly process of the button assembly is as follows: First, install the switch 3 into the receiving cavity 21 of the button back shell 2 and connect it with the control mechanism inside the box. Then, fit the sealing ring 5 into the annular groove 41 of the button 4. Next, install the button 4 from the inside to the outside of the device lower shell 1 into the button through hole 11. Finally, fix the device lower shell 1 and the button back shell 2 together.

[0059] The button assembly in this embodiment includes a lower device housing and a rear button housing connected to each other. The switch is disposed within a receiving cavity of the rear button housing. The button is movable within a communicating button through-hole and receiving cavity formed by the lower device housing and the rear button housing. A sealing ring is disposed within an annular groove of the button to seal the gap between the button and the lower device housing. The annular groove has a stress relief area and a receiving area. During the pressing of the switch, the button can reduce the compression on the sealing ring through the stress relief area, thereby reducing or eliminating the rebound force of the sealing ring itself in the pressing direction, thus reducing the impact on the button's rebound force and improving the pressing feel.

[0060] This embodiment also provides an electronic device box, which includes a device shell 8 and the button assembly described in the above embodiment, such as... Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in the diagram, one end of the upper shell 8 and one end of the lower shell 1 are hinged together, and the other ends of both are openable and latched together. The lower shell 1 has a cavity 7 for housing electronic devices. A button 4 is located on the lower shell 1 and is configured to press the switch 3 to open the latched upper shell 8 and lower shell 1, thereby allowing the electronic device to be inserted or removed. In other configurations, the button 4 can also be located on the upper shell 8, meaning the lower shell in the button assembly can be replaced with the upper shell. The electronic device case can be a Bluetooth earphone case, jewelry case, eyeglass case, etc.

[0061] The button assembly of the electronic device box in this embodiment improves the sealing effect and service life of the sealing ring by setting a stress relief area in the mounting groove on the button. At the same time, it reduces or eliminates the rebound force of the sealing ring itself in the pressing direction, thereby reducing the impact on the button rebound force and improving the pressing feel.

[0062] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be modified and varied in various ways. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A button assembly, characterized in that, The button assembly includes: The lower housing of the device (1) has a key through hole (11); The button back cover (2) has a receiving cavity (21). The button back cover (2) is connected to the inner side of the lower shell (1) of the device. The button through hole (11) communicates with the receiving cavity (21). A switch (3) is disposed within the accommodating cavity (21); The button (4) is movably disposed within the button through hole (11) and the receiving cavity (21). The button (4) includes an annular groove (41) with a lateral opening. The button (4) is disposed opposite to the switch (3). A sealing ring (5) is disposed in the annular groove (41), and the sealing ring (5) is used to seal the button (4) and the lower shell (1) of the device; The annular groove (41) includes a stress relief area (411) and a receiving area (412) arranged sequentially along the height direction of the button (4). The receiving area (412) has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the annular groove (41) has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with an arc or curve at the top edge. The height of the outer vertex of the arc or curve is higher than the height of the inner vertex.

2. The button assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the annular groove (41) is set as a right-angled trapezoidal structure, and the height of the outer side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure is higher than the height of the inner side of the right-angled trapezoidal structure.

3. The button assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arc is a circular arc.

4. The button assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the accommodating cavity (21) is larger than the size of the key through hole (11); The button (4) includes a pressing part (42) and a limiting part (43) connected below the pressing part (42). The pressing part (42) is movably disposed in the button through hole (11). The limiting part (43) is located in the receiving cavity (21). The annular groove (41) is disposed on the pressing part (42). The size of the limiting part (43) is larger than the size of the button through hole (11) and smaller than the size of the receiving cavity (21).

5. The button assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The button (4) also includes a contact part (44) fixed below the limiting part (43), and the contact part (44) is disposed opposite to the switch (3).

6. The button assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The accommodating cavity (21) includes a first accommodating part (211) and a second accommodating part (212). The second accommodating part (212) is disposed below the first accommodating part (211). The limiting part (43) is located inside the first accommodating part (211), and the switch (3) is located inside the second accommodating part (212).

7. The button assembly according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The height of the pressing part (42) is the same as the depth of the key through hole (11), the annular groove (41) is circular, and the sealing ring (5) is an O-ring.

8. The button assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button assembly also includes a pad (6), which is fixed to the side of the lower housing (1) of the device facing the button rear housing (2), and the button through hole (11) passes through the lower housing (1) of the device and the pad (6).

9. An electronic device box, characterized in that, The electronic device box includes: The button assembly as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the lower housing (1) of the device has a device cavity (7); The equipment shell (8) is hinged at one end to the equipment lower shell (1) and fastened to the equipment lower shell (1) at the other end; The button (4) is configured to press the switch (3) to open the fastened upper shell (8) and lower shell (1) when pressed.

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