Key module and electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device includes a body and a key module. The body has a main key area and a receiving area. The main key area includes a plurality of main keys. The key module is detachably mounted in the receiving area. The key module includes a key and a module body. The key has a contact portion and a positioning portion. The module body includes a guide slot, a conductive member, a bearing seat and a control member. The bearing seat is movably disposed in the guide slot. The bearing seat has a receiving space and a positioning slot. The key is rotatably disposed in the receiving space. The positioning portion extends into the positioning slot to limit the key from moving in a direction away from the guide slot. The conductive member corresponds to the contact portion. The control member controls the position of the conductive member relative to the contact portion to allow the key to move with the bearing seat along the guide slot or to limit the key from moving along the guide slot and to maintain the electrical connection between the contact portion and the conductive member.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201910084209.3, filed on January 29, 2019, entitled "Button Module and Electronic Device". Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to a button module and an electronic device; more specifically, it relates to a button module with adjustable button positions and an electronic device having the same button module. Background Technology

[0003] With the popularity of computer games, greater emphasis has been placed on the ease of use of game controls. Commonly used function keys in games are often distinguished by color from other non-game keys, or macro keys are separated to improve player visibility and convenience.

[0004] However, games often require pressing complex key combinations that are not close together or are unfamiliar to players, making accidental presses common. Additional, separately designed macro keys cannot accommodate every player's gestures, and prolonged use can easily cause soreness or fatigue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a button module in which the button positions can be adjusted according to user preferences.

[0006] In one embodiment, the button module of the present invention includes a button and a module body, wherein the button has a contact portion and a positioning portion; the module body includes a guide groove, a conductive element and a limiting element, the button is inserted into the guide groove and can move along the guide groove, the conductive element is disposed corresponding to the contact portion, and the limiting element selectively interferes with the positioning portion to restrict the movement of the button along the guide groove and keep the contact portion and the conductive element electrically connected.

[0007] In one embodiment, the limiting member includes a control button and a pressure bar, wherein the control button is selectively located in an unlocked position and a locked position, and the positioning part is located below the pressure bar. When the control button moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the pressure bar moves relative to the positioning part and presses against the positioning part to restrict the button from moving along the guide groove.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pressure strip has a protruding bevel, and the control knob moves along the bevel to an unlocked position or a locked position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the limiting member further includes a guide rail and an elastic member, wherein the guide rail is disposed below the positioning part corresponding to the pressure strip, and the elastic member is disposed between the pressure strip and the guide rail. When the control button moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the elastic member provides a restoring force, causing the pressure strip to move away from the positioning part, so as to eliminate interference with the positioning part.

[0010] In one embodiment, the module body further includes a support base, wherein the support base is movably disposed in a guide groove, the support base has an accommodating space and a positioning groove, the button is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space, and the positioning part extends into the positioning groove to restrict the button from moving in the direction of disengaging from the guide groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, the positioning groove has an inlet end and an end end, wherein the inlet end and the end end are located on different sides of the support, and the positioning part moves along the positioning groove to the inlet end or the end end to change the orientation of the button relative to the guide groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the key includes a keycap and a key switch, wherein the key switch has a top, a bottom and a side, the keycap is detachably disposed on the top of the key switch, a positioning part is disposed on the side of the key switch and protrudes outward, and a contact part is disposed on the bottom of the key switch and protrudes outward.

[0013] In another embodiment, the button module of the present invention includes a button and a module body, wherein the button has a contact portion and a positioning portion; the module body includes a guide groove, a conductive element, a carrier base and a control element, the carrier base is movably disposed in the guide groove, the carrier base has an accommodating space and a positioning groove, the button is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space, the positioning portion extends into the positioning groove to restrict the button from moving in a direction away from the guide groove, the conductive element is disposed corresponding to the contact portion, and the control element controls the position of the conductive element relative to the contact portion to allow the button to move along the guide groove with the carrier base, or to restrict the button from moving along the guide groove and keep the contact portion electrically connected to the conductive element.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control member includes a linkage member and a control button, wherein the control button is selectively located in an unlocked position and a locked position, the linkage member is connected to a conductive member and the control button, and when the control button moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the linkage member drives the conductive member to move, thereby pressing against the contact point to restrict the button from moving along the guide groove.

[0015] In one embodiment, the conductive element is electrically connected to the contact portion via a carrier or directly to the contact portion.

[0016] In one embodiment, the positioning groove has an inlet end and an end end, wherein the inlet end and the end end are located on different sides of the support, and the positioning part moves along the positioning groove to the inlet end or the end end to change the orientation of the button relative to the guide groove.

[0017] In one embodiment, the key includes a keycap and a key switch, wherein the key switch has a top, a bottom and a side, the keycap is detachably disposed on the top of the key switch, a positioning part is disposed on the side of the key switch and protrudes outward, and a contact part is disposed on the bottom of the key switch and protrudes outward.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that includes the above-mentioned button module to improve the button controllability of players in games.

[0019] In another embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention includes a body and the above-described button module, wherein the body has a main button area and a receiving area, the main button area includes a plurality of main buttons; the button module is detachably mounted in the receiving area.

[0020] In one embodiment, the main body has a first electrical connection portion, and the button body of the button module further has a second electrical connection portion, which is used to electrically connect to the first electrical connection portion.

[0021] Compared to prior art, the button module of the present invention allows the buttons to be configured in appropriate positions according to user preferences, thus conforming to the user's operating habits. Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention has a detachable button module, which can be integrated into the electronic device or disassembled for independent use, further meeting the user's operating needs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram and side view of a button module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a button according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a button mounted on a button body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the button locking operation of a button module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram and installation diagram of a button module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a button and a support base according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a button module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a schematic diagram of the button locking operation of a button module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9A and Figure 9B A schematic diagram illustrating the installation or removal of a button module in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10(a)-(d) are schematic diagrams of embodiments of the button module of the present invention with different button configurations.

[0032] Symbol Explanation

[0033] 1 electronic device

[0034] 10 body

[0035] 12 main button areas

[0036] 12a main button

[0037] 14 storage areas

[0038] 20 display screens

[0039] 100, 100' button module

[0040] 110 key

[0041] 112 Contact Department

[0042] 113 Auxiliary Positioning Unit

[0043] 114 Positioning Department

[0044] 115 keycaps

[0045] 116 key switches

[0046] 116a top

[0047] 116b bottom

[0048] 116c, 116d side view

[0049] 120, 120' module body

[0050] 121 Module Housing

[0051] 122 guide groove

[0052] 123 Conductive Components

[0053] 124 limit components

[0054] 125 control knob

[0055] 125a Actuating Unit

[0056] 125b actuator

[0057] 126 strip

[0058] 126a protruding slope

[0059] 127 guide rail

[0060] 128 elastic element

[0061] 129 Linkage Components

[0062] 129a protruding slope

[0063] 130 load-bearing seat

[0064] 132 storage spaces

[0065] 134 positioning slots

[0066] 134a entrance port

[0067] 134b terminus

[0068] 135 Auxiliary Positioning Slot

[0069] 135a entrance terminal

[0070] 135b terminus

[0071] 136 Slide Mechanism

[0072] 140 Electrical Connection

[0073] 142 First Electrical Connection Part

[0074] 144 Second Electrical Connection Detailed Implementation

[0075] This invention provides a key module, particularly a key module that allows users to assemble function keys or macro keys according to their needs and adjust the key positions to conform to user operating habits and reduce discomfort during prolonged operation. The key module of this invention can be a standalone key device or a modular component that can be integrated into other electronic devices. For example, the key module of this invention can be a standalone keyboard or a keyboard module integrated into an electronic device, preferably an information processing device such as a laptop computer, but not limited thereto. Embodiments of the key module and electronic device of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown in one embodiment, the button module 100 of the present invention includes a button 110 and a module body 120. The button 110 has a contact portion 112 and a positioning portion 114. The module body 120 includes a guide groove 122, a conductive element 123, and a limiting element 124. The button 110 is inserted into the guide groove 122 and can move along the guide groove 122. The conductive element 123 is disposed corresponding to the contact portion 112. The limiting element 124 selectively interferes with the positioning portion 114 to restrict the movement of the button 110 along the guide groove 122 and ensure that the contact portion 112 and the conductive element 123 remain electrically connected.

[0077] Specifically, the module body 120 includes a module housing 121 with multiple guide slots 122, and conductive elements 123 and limiting elements 124 are disposed on the module housing 121. For example... Figure 1A As shown, in one embodiment, three guide grooves 122 are parallel to each other on the upper surface of the module housing 121. Multiple conductive elements 123 and multiple limiting elements 124 are respectively disposed corresponding to the guide grooves 122, so that each guide groove 122 has a corresponding conductive element 123 and limiting element 124. In this way, users can, according to their personal preferences, assign game function keys or macro keys to the corresponding guide grooves 122.

[0078] In one embodiment, the limiting member 124 includes a control button 125 and a pressure strip 126. The control button 125 can be selectively positioned in an unlocked position and a locked position, and controls the actuation of the pressure strip 126, allowing the pressure strip 126 to move relative to the positioning portion 114 of the button 110, selectively interfering with the positioning portion 114 of the button 110, for example, the pressure strip 126 pressing against the positioning portion 114 or disengaging from the positioning portion 114. Specifically, the pressure strip 126 is preferably disposed in the module housing 121 adjacent to the corresponding guide groove 122 and extends along the length direction of the guide groove 122. The control button 125 is preferably partially exposed on the surface of the module housing 121 for user operation to selectively position in the unlocked or locked position.

[0079] In one embodiment, the limiting member 124 further includes a guide rail 127 and an elastic member 128. The guide rail 127 is disposed in the module housing 121 corresponding to the pressure strip 126, and the elastic member 128 is disposed between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127. Specifically, the guide rail 127 extends along the length direction of the guide groove 122 and is disposed parallel to the pressure strip 126 at vertical intervals, so that a channel for the positioning part 114 to slide is formed between the guide rail 127 and the pressure strip 126. The two ends (e.g., the upper end and the lower end) of the elastic member 128 are preferably connected to the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127 respectively, so as to maintain a preset channel height between the guide rail 127 and the pressure strip 126. The elastic member 128 may be a spring, and is preferably disposed at both ends of the guide rail 127 and the pressure strip 126 along their length direction.

[0080] like Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment, the key 110 includes a keycap 115 and a key switch 116. The key switch 116 has a top 116a, a bottom 116b, and two opposite sides 116c and 116d. The keycap 115 is detachably disposed on the top 116a of the key switch 116. A positioning portion 114 is preferably disposed on the side 116c of the key switch 114 and protrudes outward, and a contact portion 112 is preferably disposed on the bottom 116b of the key switch 116 and protrudes outward. Furthermore, the key 110 preferably includes an auxiliary positioning portion 113 to enhance the positioning of the key 110. The auxiliary positioning portion 113 is preferably disposed on the opposite side of the positioning portion 114, such as the side 116d, and protrudes outward. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 114 and the auxiliary positioning portion 113 may be implemented as protrusions or bumps extending outward from the key switch 116, but are not limited thereto. When the user presses the keycap 115, the key switch 116 generates a trigger signal, which is transmitted through the contact part 112.

[0081] For reference later Figure 3 This section explains the operational details of button 110 being inserted into guide slot 122. For the sake of simplicity, Figure 3 The module housing 121 and guide groove 122 are not shown. Figure 3As shown, when button 110 is to be inserted into guide groove 122, button 110 is first positioned so that the extending direction of positioning part 114 of button 110 (or the line connecting positioning part 114 and auxiliary positioning part 113) is parallel to the extending direction of guide groove 122. That is, the protruding direction of positioning part 114 of button 110 is parallel to the extending direction of pressure strip 126 (or guide rail 127). In this state, button 110 is inserted into guide groove 122, and button 110 is rotated (e.g., 90 degrees) in guide groove 122, so that positioning part 114 of button 110 is located below pressure strip 126, thereby positioning the position of button 110 relative to guide groove 122, that is, the protruding direction of positioning part 114 is substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of pressure strip 126 (or guide rail 127). Specifically, the width of the guide groove 122 is preferably less than the length of the button 110 along the extension direction of the positioning portion 114. Therefore, after the button 110 rotates in the guide groove 122, the positioning portion 114 can extend into the channel between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127, and the contact portion 112 of the button 110 is located above the conductive member 123, thereby positioning the button 110 in the guide groove 122. In this state, the button 110 can move horizontally along the guide groove 122, but cannot disengage from the guide groove 122 in the vertical direction. In other words, when button 110 is inserted into guide groove 122, the extension length of positioning part 114 is preferably able to extend into the channel between pressure strip 126 and guide rail 127, and the preset channel height between pressure strip 126 and guide rail 127 (e.g., the uncompressed height of elastic member 128) is preferably greater than the thickness of positioning part 114, so that when button 110 moves in guide groove 122, positioning part 114 guides button 110 to move smoothly by guide of guide rail 127. Furthermore, when button 110 is rotated again, the protruding direction of positioning part 114 can be returned to parallel to the extension direction of guide groove 122, allowing button 110 to be disassembled from guide groove 122.

[0082] Furthermore, in one embodiment, when the button 110 is inserted into the guide groove 122 and the positioning part 114 extends between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127, the auxiliary positioning part 113 is located below the surface of the module housing 121 adjacent to the guide groove 122 to further prevent the button 110 from detaching from the guide groove 122. In another embodiment, the auxiliary positioning part 113 is preferably located between the corresponding pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127 adjacent to the guide groove 122, which not only prevents the button 110 from detaching from the guide groove 122, but also further strengthens the positioning of the button 110. In other words, when the button 110 is inserted into the guide groove 122, the positioning part 114 and the auxiliary positioning part 113 preferably extend between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127 on both sides of the corresponding guide groove 122, but this is not a limitation.

[0083] For reference later Figure 4A and Figure 4BThis describes the locking operation of button 110 in guide groove 122. In one embodiment, control button 125 has an actuating part 125a for driving the movement of pressure bar 126, and pressure bar 126 has a protruding inclined surface 126a that protrudes toward the actuating part 125a of control button 125. For example, the actuating part 125a may be a guide post extending downward from the lower surface of control button 125, and the guide post abuts against the protruding inclined surface 126a of pressure bar 126. Figure 4A As shown, when the control button 125 is in the unlocked position, the actuating part 125a of the control button 125 abuts against the lower end of the protruding inclined surface 126a of the pressure bar 126. In this unlocked state, there is a preset channel height between the pressure bar 126 and the guide rail 127. The positioning part 114 of the button 110 can be movably inserted between the pressure bar 126 and the guide rail 127 and rests against the guide rail 127. Preferably, the contact part 112 of the button 110 does not contact the conductive element 123, so that the button 110 can be moved to any suitable position in the guide groove 122 by the guidance of the guide rail 127.

[0084] like Figure 4B As shown, when button 110 is moved to the desired position, control button 125 can move from the unlocked position to the locked position to lock button 110. Specifically, when control button 125 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the actuating part 125a of control button 125 moves from the lower end to the higher end along the protruding inclined surface 126a, and applies a downward force to press the pressure strip 126 relative to the positioning part 114 (i.e., the channel height between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127 is reduced), compressing the elastic member 128 and causing the pressure strip 126 to press against the positioning part 114, thereby causing button 110 to move downward and the contact part 112 of button 110 to abut against the conductive member 123. In this way, the vertical and horizontal movement of button 110 in the guide groove 122 are restricted simultaneously, and button 110 is locked in the desired position. In this locked state, button 110 cannot move along guide groove 122, and the contact portion 112 of button 110 remains electrically connected to conductive member 123.

[0085] When the control button 125 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the elastic element 128 provides a restoring force, causing the pressure strip 126 to move away from the positioning part 114, allowing the button 110 to move along the guide groove 122. Specifically, when the control button 125 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the actuating part 125a of the control button 125 moves from the high end to the low end along the protruding inclined surface 126a, releasing the pressing force on the pressure strip 126 and the elastic element 128. This allows the elastic element 128 to provide an elastic restoring force that pushes the pressure strip 126 upward away from the positioning part 114 of the button 110, and establishes a preset height in the channel between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127 (i.e., returns to the preset height). Figure 4A (In the unlocked state), while allowing button 110 to move horizontally along guide groove 122.

[0086] It should be noted that when the button module 100 has multiple guide slots 122 and corresponding multiple pressure strips 126, it is preferable to integrate the control mechanism of the control button 125 controlling the movement of each pressure strip 126 relative to the guide rail 127 (or positioning part 114). For example, the actuating part 125a of the control button 125 can be designed as an L-shaped guide bar, wherein the upright part of the L-shaped guide bar protrudes downward from the lower surface of the control button 125 to connect to the horizontal part of the L-shaped guide bar, and the extension direction of the horizontal part is parallel to the setting direction of the multiple pressure strips 126, that is, the horizontal part crosses the multiple pressure strips 126 and corresponds to the protruding inclined surface 126a of each pressure strip 126. Therefore, when the user changes the position of the control button 125, the locked / unlocked state of all buttons 110 in the multiple guide slots 122 can be controlled.

[0087] In another embodiment, such as Figure 5A As shown, the button module 100 further includes a support 130, which is movably disposed in the guide groove 122. The support 130 has a receiving space 132 and a positioning groove 134. The button 110 is rotatably disposed in the receiving space 132, and the positioning part 114 extends into the positioning groove 134 to restrict the button 110 from moving in a direction away from the guide groove 122. Specifically, the support 130 can be movably disposed in the guide groove 122 in any suitable manner. For example, the support 130 can be slidably connected to the guide rail 127 by means of a slide rail / slide rail mechanism, so that the support 130 can move along the guide rail 127 when the control button 125 is in the unlocked position. For example, a slide rail can be formed on one side of the guide rail 127, and the support 130 has a corresponding slide rail mechanism 136, so that the support 130 and the guide rail 127 can be slidably connected, but this is not a limitation.

[0088] The support 130 may have a bowl-shaped structure corresponding to the shape of the button 110, and the positioning groove 134 is formed on the side wall of the support 130. The positioning groove 134 has an inlet end 134a and an end end 134b, and the inlet end 134a and the end end 134b are preferably located on different sides of the support 130, such as adjacent sides of the rectangular bowl-shaped structure. The positioning groove 134 may be an L-shaped groove, which extends downward from the side wall of the support 130 by a predetermined distance to form the inlet end 134a, and then extends laterally to the adjacent side wall to form the end end 134b.

[0089] like Figure 5BAs shown, the positioning groove 134 preferably has the same dimensions as the positioning portion 114 of the button 110, and the end point 134b of the positioning groove 134 preferably faces the guide rail 127. Therefore, when the button 110 is inserted into the receiving space 132 of the support 130, the positioning portion 114 can enter the bottom end of the positioning groove 134 from the entrance end 134a of the positioning groove 132. Then, the button 110 rotates (for example, 90 degrees) in the receiving space 132, causing the positioning portion 114 to move along the positioning groove 134 to the end point 134a, and using its shape to engage with the positioning groove 134 to prevent the button 110 from detaching from the support 130. In other words, the positioning part 114 can move along the positioning groove 134 to the inlet end 134a or the end end 134b, thereby changing the orientation of the button 110 relative to the guide groove 122, thereby allowing the button 110 to detach from the support seat 130 and leave the guide groove 122, or restricting the button 110 to be positioned in the support seat 130 and unable to leave the guide groove 122.

[0090] Furthermore, when the button 110 is positioned on the support 130, the positioning part 114 preferably protrudes outward from the end point 134b of the positioning groove 134, so that the positioning part 114 can extend into the channel between the pressure strip 126 and the guide rail 127. In this way, similar to... Figure 4A With the control button 125 in the unlocked position, the user can move the button 110 to the desired position, and then operate in a similar manner. Figure 4B The operation moves control knob 125 to the locked position, while locking button 110 in the desired position. For instructions on unlocking / locking button 110, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The detailed explanation will not be repeated here.

[0091] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the button 110 is restricted to vertical movement within the guide groove 122 by the support base 130. The button 110 may not have an auxiliary positioning part 113, but only needs to have a positioning groove 134 corresponding to the positioning part 114 in the support base 130, but this is not a limitation. In another embodiment, as shown... Figure 6 As shown, when the button 110 has an auxiliary positioning part 113, the support base 130 can have an auxiliary positioning groove 135 corresponding to the auxiliary positioning part 113, and the auxiliary positioning groove 135 preferably corresponds to the positioning groove 134 located on, for example, two other adjacent sides of the rectangular support base 130. That is, the entrance end 135a of the auxiliary positioning groove 135 corresponds to the entrance end 134a of the positioning groove 134 located on two opposite sides, and the end end 135b of the auxiliary positioning groove 135 corresponds to the end end 134b of the positioning groove 134 located on two other opposite sides.

[0092] Furthermore, although not shown, the bottom of the support 130 may selectively have a contact opening or a conductive contact. In one embodiment, when the button 110 is positioned on the support 130, the contact portion 112 of the button 110 may protrude from the contact opening toward the conductive plate 123, so that the conductive plate 123 is directly electrically connected to the contact portion 112 of the button 110, but this is not a limitation. In another embodiment, when the button 110 is positioned on the support 130, the contact portion 112 of the button 110 may contact the conductive contact of the support 130, and then be electrically connected to the conductive plate 123 through the conductive contact of the support 130, so that the conductive plate 123 is electrically connected to the contact portion 112 of the button 110 through the support 130.

[0093] like Figure 7 and Figures 8A-8B As shown, in another embodiment, the button module 100' of the present invention includes a button 110 and a module body 120'. The button 110 has a contact portion 112 and a positioning portion 114. The module body 120' includes a guide groove 122, a conductive element 123, a guide rail 127, a support 130, and a control element. The support 130 is movably disposed in the guide groove 122, and the support 130 has an accommodating space 132 and a positioning groove 134. The button 110 is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space 134, and the positioning portion 114 extends into the positioning groove 134 to restrict the button 110 from moving in a direction away from the guide groove 122. Specifically, the support base 130 can be movably mounted on the guide rail 127 via a suitable sliding mechanism (e.g., the slide mechanism 136), and the button 110 is positioned on the support base 130 by the engagement of the positioning part 114 and the positioning groove 134, so that the button 110 can move with the support base 130. It should be noted that the structural details and connection relationships of the button 110, the support base 130, and the guide rail 127 are similar to those in the above embodiments, so please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0094] In this embodiment, the control member controls the position of the conductive element 123 relative to the contact portion 112 to allow the button 110 to move along the guide groove 122 with the support 130, or to restrict the movement of the button 110 along the guide groove 122 and ensure that the contact portion 112 remains electrically connected to the conductive element 123. In one embodiment, the control member includes a linkage member 129 and a control button 125. The control button 125 is selectively located in an unlocked position and a locked position. The linkage member 129 connects the conductive element 123 and the control button 125 so that the movement of the conductive element 123 is driven by the movement of the control button 125.

[0095] like Figure 8AAs shown, in one embodiment, the control button 125 has an actuating portion 125b for driving the movement of the linkage member 129. For example, the actuating portion 125b may be an L-shaped link extending downward from the control button 125 to below the linkage member 129. The linkage member 129 may be, for example, a support block or support bar with a protruding inclined surface 129a, and the conductive element 123 is preferably disposed on the linkage member 129. The protruding inclined surface 129a extends obliquely downward away from the conductive element 123. When the control button 125 moves, the actuating portion 125b moves along the protruding inclined surface 129a to drive the linkage member 129 to move. Specifically, when the control button 125 is in the unlocked position, the actuating portion 125b of the control button 125 abuts against one end of the protruding inclined surface 129a of the linkage member 129 adjacent to the conductive element 123. In this unlocked state, the contact portion 112 of the button 110 (or the carrier contact of the carrier 130) preferably does not contact the conductive sheet 123, and the carrier 130 can move along the guide rail 127 in the guide groove 122, so that the mounted button 110 can be moved to any suitable position in the guide groove 122.

[0096] like Figure 8B As shown, when button 110 is moved to the desired position, control button 125 can move from the unlocked position to the locked position to lock the position of button 110. Specifically, when control button 125 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the actuating part 125b of control button 125 moves along the protruding inclined surface 129a from a position adjacent to conductive sheet 123 to a position away from conductive sheet 123, and applies an upward force to the linkage member 129, so that the linkage member 129 drives the conductive sheet 123 to move upward and press against the contact part 112 of button 110 (or the carrier contact of carrier 130). In this way, the vertical and horizontal movement of button 110 in guide groove 122 are restricted at the same time, and button 110 is locked in the desired position. In this locked state, button 110 and carrier 130 cannot move along guide groove 122, and the contact part 112 of button 110 remains electrically connected to conductive member 123.

[0097] When the control button 125 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the actuating part 125b of the control button 125 moves along the protruding inclined surface 129a from a position away from the conductive plate 123 to a position adjacent to the conductive plate 123. The linkage member 129 and the conductive plate 123 can return to their original positions by moving downward away from the button 110 due to gravity. Figure 8A The unlocked position shown allows button 110 (and carrier 130) to move along guide groove 122.

[0098] Furthermore, such as Figure 1AAs shown, in one embodiment, the button module 100 may further include an electrical connection portion 140 (e.g., a USB slot) for electrical connection to an external device or power source. In another embodiment, the button module 100 / 100' may have a communication module for communication connection with other devices via, for example, Bluetooth. Furthermore, the button module 100 / 100' may also have a processor and a power storage unit, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 123 to receive a trigger signal generated when the button 110 is pressed, and the power storage unit may be, for example, a battery, to provide the power required by the button module 100 / 100'.

[0099] It should be noted here that, Figure 1A Although only one button 110 is shown, users can install multiple buttons 110 on the button body 120 / 120' according to the needs of game control, and can move multiple buttons 110 and lock multiple buttons 110 in a suitable position to suit their personal control habits.

[0100] Furthermore, although the key module 100 / 100' is implemented as a separate keyboard device in the above embodiments, it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the key module 100 / 100' may be integrated into an electronic device. In another embodiment, such as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the electronic device 1 of the present invention includes the aforementioned button module 100 / 100' and body 10. The body 10 has a main button area 12 and a receiving area 14. The main button area 12 includes a plurality of main buttons 12a, and the button module 100 / 100' is detachably mounted in the receiving area 14.

[0101] The electronic device 1 is preferably a notebook computer, and preferably includes any suitable display screen 20, which may be a touch-screen display screen, but is not limited thereto. The main body 10 may be a combination of various computer functional elements required for the electronic device to perform control, processing, and input; that is, the main body 10 may be the system chassis of a notebook computer, but is not limited thereto. The main button area 12 may be an area where general computer buttons are installed, and the main buttons 12a are general computer operation buttons. The receiving area 14 is preferably a recessed area on the upper surface of the main body 10, so that when the button modules 100 / 100' are installed in the receiving area 14, the main body 10 has a unified appearance. In this embodiment, the body 10 preferably has a first electrical connection portion 142, and the button body 120 / 120' of the button module 100 / 100' further has a second electrical connection portion 144, which is used to electrically connect to the first electrical connection portion 142, thereby electrically connecting the body 10 and the button module 100 / 100'. In one embodiment, the body 10 and the button module 100 / 100' can be electrically connected by a pogo pin, but this is not a limitation.

[0102] In this embodiment, the user can operate the keyboard module 100 / 100' on the main body 10 according to their personal needs, or remove the keyboard module 100 / 100' from the main body 10 and place it in a suitable position, and adjust the keyboard module 100 / 100' for vertical or horizontal operation. Figure 10 As shown in (a)-(d), users can adjust the position and spacing of multiple buttons 110 according to the game and the size and position of their hands, and use the system to set the function of the buttons 110 or define macros. It should be noted that when different games correspond to different function keys or macro keys, users can choose to remove the buttons and replace them with buttons bearing the corresponding symbols, or they can simply remove the keycaps and select the keycaps bearing the corresponding symbols, thereby setting the function and macros of the buttons 110 according to different games.

[0103] Compared to conventional technology, the button module of this invention allows for the installation of desired function keys or macro keys, and the spacing and position of each button can be adjusted to meet the user's gesture requirements or operating habits, thereby reducing fatigue or soreness caused by unfamiliar gestures during prolonged operation. Furthermore, the electronic device of this invention allows the button module to be detached and used independently, making it suitable for users who enjoy advanced modifications and increasing ease of operation.

[0104] The present invention has been described by the above embodiments; however, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that other modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention also covers such modifications and is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A button module, comprising: A button, having a contact part and a positioning part; and A module body includes a guide groove, a conductive element, a carrier, and a control element. The carrier is movably disposed in the guide groove and has an accommodating space and a positioning groove. The button is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space. The positioning part extends into the positioning groove to restrict the button from moving in a direction away from the guide groove. The conductive element is disposed corresponding to the contact part. The control element controls the position of the conductive element relative to the contact part to allow the button to move along the guide groove with the carrier, or to restrict the button from moving along the guide groove and keep the contact part electrically connected to the conductive element. in, The control component includes a linkage member and a control button. The control button is selectively located in an unlocked position and a locked position. The linkage member connects the conductive element and the control button. When the control button moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the linkage member drives the conductive element to move, thereby pressing against the contact portion to restrict the button from moving along the guide groove.

2. The button module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive element is electrically connected to the contact portion through the carrier or directly to the contact portion.

3. The button module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning groove has an inlet end and an end end, which are located on different sides of the support. The positioning part moves along the positioning groove to the inlet end or the end end to change the orientation of the button relative to the guide groove.

4. The button module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The key includes a keycap and a key switch. The key switch has a top, a bottom and a side. The keycap is detachably disposed on the top of the key switch. The positioning part is disposed on the side of the key switch and protrudes outward. The contact part is disposed on the bottom of the key switch and protrudes outward.

5. An electronic device comprising: A main body having a main button area and a receiving area, the main button area including multiple main buttons; and The button module as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 is detachably mounted in the receiving area.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The main body has a first electrical connection portion, and the button body of the button module further has a second electrical connection portion, which is used to electrically connect to the first electrical connection portion.

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